1895 - 2019 Church of the Good Shepherd Cashiers, North Carolina November/December 2019TIDINGS

WHAT’S INSIDE:

Birthdays........................2

Anniversaries.................2

Transitions.....................2

Calendar dates...............3

Sunday Christian Ed....4

Nursery...........................4

Coffee Hour....................4

Blessing of the Animals.5

Planned Giving..............6

Stewardship...................6

Conkle-Rowe.................6

Angel Tree......................7

Vestry Elect....................7

TIDINGS1895 - 2019 Church of the Good Shepherd Cashiers, North Carolina November/December 2019TIDINGSTIDINGSTIDINGSTIDINGSTIDINGSTIDINGS

What if Thanksgiving were a season in the church calendar, like Advent and Lent? Maybe our church calendar would have been created that way if its origins came after the Mayflower’s landing or after 1776. Thanksgiving as a day in our 365-day American calen-dar is so special for what it means in this country, but to my point, that’s just one day. What if we took the whole month of November as our Thanksgiving time? Not in that we’d have turkey and fixins’ three times a week—but that each day would contain intentional prayer-ful moments—privately or collectively—in which we would turn our hearts to God and say ‘thank you.’

Many of you may do that thanking already, which is so very good and centering. You are following in the spirit of Frederick W. Faber (1814-1863) who wrote not of a day or even a season or of a year, but of a lifetime. You may recognize these words as the last verse in the hymn “There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy.”

For the love of God is broader than the measure of the mind; and the heart of the Eternal is most wonderfully kind. If our love were but more faithful, we should take him at his word; and our life would be thanksgiving for the goodness of the Lord.

Yes, a life of thanksgiving…like our Sunday prayers describe: “It is a right and good and joyful thing always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.”

Always and everywhere? Really? Yes!

When I am sick? Yes, and for example, thank God for the medicine and doctors that are helping. Not everyone has those resources, and people are trying to help. God gave us minds that help, as well as hands, and both are at work in the care you receive.

When I am frustrated with the political world? Yes, and for example, thank him you don’t live under a dictator, or in a state of civil war, or that you have a home and are not displaced into refugee camps. Thank God that we do have choices, paths to right wrongs, voices that have protections under the law.

Saying prayers of thanksgiving is one way to remember that the glass of your life is more than half full—that the gifts of Christ and Spirit, Church and grace, (and more!) are always at work in the world and in your life. Prayers of thanksgiving balance the soul, soften one’s murmuring pity party by remembering the good in all your life first before one gets stuck dwelling on frustrations and sadness of the moment. Those sad times do come. We are human, after all. Holidays in particular can bring a share of those blue moments as well, but I encourage you (always and everywhere, and especially in the blue moments) to focus and make a list of thanksgivings and add to it each day. By the grace of God, your daily words of thanksgiving may just become a life of thanksgiving before you know it.

Rob+

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2 Kathy Miller4 John Council4 Irv Welling6 Carol Bishop6 Bill Weston6 Laura Flaherty12 Neva Thompson13 Billy Anderson14 Mary Jane Harvey15 Inez Merritt16 Barbara Cusachs16 Craig Pauly16 Alma O’Neal18 Becky Greene18 Happy Shadden

Wedding Anniversaries November

Wedding Anniversaries December

18 Bryan Burkett20 Rob Hunter21 Melissa Hudson23 Janie Crews23 Pat McLendon-Kaye25 Greg Porges25 Connie Bischoff26 Jody Bauknight26 H.A. Moore27 John Davis29 Marian Poitevent29 Reese Lanier30 Beth Arthur30 Laura Lankford

1 Greg Barnes2 Michael Stinson2 Robert Fortson3 Laura Black5 Liz McClure5 Suzanne Turnbull5 Winton Noah6 Bobbie O’Leary9 Sandra Waltzek11 Mary Conover12 Lella Bromberg12 Baron Holmes12 JoAnn Foshee14 Rob Wood14 Lauren Turner

15 Gwin Robbins15 Roger Williams17 Maurice Sponcler19 Sally Burchfield20 Gordon Gray21 Eleanor Welling21 Wylie Hoffman22 Gail Keck22 M.J. Soldo22 Bob Connelly23 Carroll Rivers27 Jim Scanlon29 Sheila Crawford29 Sue Williams31 Mary Loftin

November Birthdays December Birthdays

Bill and Kathe Canby Mike and Sarah Henry11/2/1974 11/2/1975

Will and Becky McKee Mark & Debbie Lassiter11/2/1985 11/10/1988

John and Lida Herring Joe and Lea Thompson11/18/1987 11/24/1990

J.F. and Peggy Bryan Vic and Anne Brandt11/25/1967 11/25/1972

Bud and Cathy Woods Billy & Sandra Anderson11/27/1987 11/30/2016

Maurice and Betty Sponcler Bob and Cheryl Starkey12/7/1968 12/16/1988

Dick and Lynn Meyers Greg and Paige Barnes12/21/1974 12/22/1984

Collins and Betty Vallee Tom and Karen Snyder12/23/1982 12/24/1988

Mike and Sue Ann Glenn12/26/1962

Deaths: Don Moss (9/6) Patsy Anderson (9/6)David Burchfield (9/28)

Parker & Caroline AndersonLidia BoyerBryan & Lyn BurkettKeith & Lolly Crawford Malcolm & Susan DuncanEvans & Linda Hubbard

Leslie Logan Miles & Ruth RussJack & Bromley SharrettLinda SiebenDavid & Trish WarrinerJohn & Wimberley Watts

New to Good Shepherd:

Marriage:Elizabeth Hogan & Conor Closs (10/12/2019)

Stay tuned for the date for our next “New to Good Shepherd” Social!

Do you know someone new to Good Shepherd? Please let us know so that we can ensure that everyone feels welcome here!

Bryan & Lyn Burkett Leslie Logan

Transitions:

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Good Shepherd Weekly ScheduleMondays: 10:00 a.m. Prayer Quilt Ministry

12:00 Noon AATuesdays: 9:00 - 9:30 a.m. Centering Prayer in Old Library

11:00 a.m. Lectionary Class6:00 pm English Language Learners (ELL)7:00 p.m. AA

Wednesdays: 5:30 p.m. Choir PracticeThursdays: 9:00 a.m. Men’s Bible Study : Parables

11:00 a.m. Cursillo12:00 Noon Eucharist & Healing prayers. lunch provided7:00 p.m. AA

Saturdays: 9:00 a.m. AASundays: 9:00 a.m. Eucharist Rite I

10:00 a.m. Choir Practice10:00 a.m. Adult Education (see page 4)11:00 a.m. Eucharist Rite II (Children’s Chapel & Nursery)

Daughters of the KingWed, Nov. 6, 10 a.m.Thurs, Nov. 21, 1 p.m.Wed, Dec. 4, 10 a.m.Thurs, Dec. 19, 1 p.m.

Sunday, November 24 at 11:00 a.m. serviceKirkin O’ the Tartans

Scots and friends of Scotland are invited, and may wear a clan tartan piece of clothing or carry a piece of tartan material, a banner or flag to receive a kirkin (blessing) as part of the service of worship.

November 28: 11:00 a.m. Thanksgiving Holy EucharistDecember 1: 12:00 Noon First Sunday of Advent - Wreath Making

2:00 p.m. Cashiers Community Chorus Concert at Cashiers United Methodist ChurchDecember 8: 12:00 Noon Tree Trimming Pary after 11:00 service

Angle Tree Gift Deadline for bringing unwrapped gifts (see page 7)December 10: 6:00 p.m. ELL Christmas Party! (last class is December 10)December 24: Christmas Eve Services with music

We are in the process of revising the Christmas Eve service schedule and as of the time of publication it has not been finalized. Please check the website for the new schedule.

December 25: 12:00 Noon Christmas Day Service

Church Office Holiday Hours:Wednesday, November 27: 9:00 am - 12:00 NoonThursday, November 28 & Friday, November 29: Office ClosedTuesday, December 24: 9:00 am - 12:00 NoonWednesday, December 25 & Thursday, December 26: Office Closed

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Sunday Christian EducationENNEA-WHAT?Using the Enneagram for Spiritual GrowthSundays in November at 10 am in the Adult Ed Room

Join the Rev. Dr. Rob Field, Episcopal priest and Director of Center for Spiritual Wisdom in Brevard, for all the Sundays in November. Rob will lead a series focusing on the Enneagram as a tool for spiri-tual growth, rather than as a personality typing test. Rob will draw on the wisdom of teachers such as Fr. Richard Rohr, Russ Hudson (Di-rector of the Enneagram Institute), and others in a light-hearted, but powerful, presentation of the Enneagram. Whether you’re brand new to the Enneagram or an advanced student, you will find something to enrich your faith during this series. If you have never explored the

Enneagram please email Ellen at goodshepadmin@frontier.com so that Rob can send you introductory material.

Episcopalian 101 Sunday school class

Knowing the value of a refresher course from time to time, we start January with a refresher of what it means to be an Episcopalian—or as our Presiding Bishop describes as the Episcopal branch of the Jesus movement. Rob will lead this class on Sundays and discuss church history, our understanding of the Bible, the Prayer Book, Sunday worship, bishops, and the balance of Scripture, Tradition, and Reason that shapes our faith as the church, the Body of Christ. (If you are interested in being Confirmed or Received and becoming an official member of Good Shepherd, this class is certainly for you!) Email Ellen at goodshepadmin@frontier.com to get your name on the list!

Sunday Coffee Hour

Y’all come! The sign up sheet to help is on the bulletin board in Hines Hall. Our motto this year is “keep it simple!” Regardless, come join us after the 11:00 a.m. service each Sunday for fellowship.

Welcome to the Nursery!!

We are so pleased to introduce you to Donna Patton! Donna will be work-ing in the nursery on Sunday mornings.

Donna has lived in the Cashiers area for almost three years now and has an extensive background in teaching dance and drama.

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Blessing of the AnimalsThe 2019 Blessing of the Animals was a great success!

Thank you to all who donated shoes and coats in honor of St. Francis -

and as an expression of love of neighbor!

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StewardshipThank you to all who have made a pledge for 2020. To date we have 174 pledges for $471,919. We are aiming to hear from 210 households, so if you have not pledged, please prayerfully consider all that God has given you, and, in gratitude, and as a cheerful giver, submit your pledge cards online, in church, or via the mail. Thank you!

As we head toward year’s end, please remember to fulfill your 2019 pledges. We can end 2019 ahead of budget with strong December contributions. In order to have your pledge counted towards 2019 they must be postmarked by December 31, 2019.

Planned Giving: Your legacy of Faith Do you believe Time is the greatest gift ? Have often have you heard someone say, “I wish I had more time “ ? In Ecclesiastes, we are told to every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant , and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh, a time to mourn, and a time to dance; As I consider our Mission Statement, “To reflect God’s love through our faith in action”, I realize I want my time to have meaning. Am I taking advantage of the time I have been given? Are my actions representing God’s love? What can I do to thank God for his love for me? Perhaps now is the time for me to plan my Legacy of Faith to Good Shepherd. For more information on Planned Giving, including the specific endowed funds, please contact Bill Canby at billcanby49@gmail.com or me at clairol55@aol.com.

~CarolHunter,EndowmentCommitteeMember

CONKLE-ROWE SCHOLARSHIP UPDATE

“BelieveinYouth,Investintheirfuture”

The Scholarship Committee would like to thank our members that contributed to our August fund drive. We were able to raise approximately $25,000. This support of this mission of our church allows us to assist local high school graduates in their post High School education or training. This year we have awarded scholarships to 10 new students who have begun their classes this fall. Scholarships from the Church of the Good Shepherd are given yearly until the recipients graduates.

In addition to the August drive, efforts have been begun to raise pledges to the Conkle-Rowe Endowment Fund. At the present time we have pledges in excess of $300,000. This fund will carry us forward as our community grows and as tuition costs rise. For more information on the Conkle-Rowe Scholarship Endowment, visit our web site and watch the six-minute video.

It is our prayer that God will bless each gift, both large and small, so that the Conkle-Rowe Scholarship Endow-ment will become strong enough to fund our ministry in perpetuity.

~PatRowe,ScholarshipCommitteeChair

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The angel tree will be up on Sunday, November 17th festooned with pink and blue angels waiting to be chosen by “Good Shepherd” guardian angels wanting to make Christmas special for local children and their families from the Hampton School & Early Learning Centers, Cashiers Valley PreSchool, and Blue Ridge School Pre-K.

Committee chairs are Debbie Lassiter and Sharon Bissell and have set a deadline of Sunday, December 8th for the return of the unwrapped presents. Please take time to go to Hines Hall and select one or more angels and bring the joy of Christmas to these families. By our generosity we are truly living our words spoken every Sunday “Let us go forth to love and serve the Lord.”

Sorting the gifts! pictured left to right;Sharon Bissell & Debbie Lassiter.

Vestry Elect

Thank you to all who came to the Fall Parish Meeting on October 2 and voted to elect the new Vestry Members listed below! Thank you also to our Vestry Elect for agreeing to serve in this ministry. Please see the church web-site (www.goodshepherdofcashiers.com) for more details - including biographies and minutes of the meeting.

Patch Foster (1 year term) Lea Thompson (2 year term)

Jim Recktenwald (3 year term) Merry Soellner (3 year term) Lenny Blevins (3 year term)

Address service requested

church of the Good shepherdPost Office Box 32cashiers, North carolina 28717

The Reverend Robert B. Wood, Rector rwood.gs@gmail.comThe Reverend Steve Hines, Adjunct PriestThe Reverend Toby Summerour, Adjunct Priest

Vestry Officers:Irv Welling, Senior Warden; David Young, Junior WardenRalph Greene, Treasurer; Ellen Albright, Clerk

Vestry & Vestry Elect*:Scott Turner Perrin DarganLawson Kelly Janis CoxMartie Kingree Nora JonesRay Daniel Patch FosterJim Recktenwald* Merry Soellner*Lea Thompson* Lenny Blevins*

Staff:Ellen Albright, Parish Administratorgoodshepadmin@frontier.comCyndie Royce, BookkeeperDr. Lyn Ellen Burkett, Organist and Choir MasterPam Allison, HousekeeperAndrew Allison, Building and GroundsChurch Phone: 828-743-2359Website: www.goodshepherdofcashiers.com

NEW Christmas Eve & Christmas Day

Service Schedule! We are in the process of revising the service sched-ule for Christmas Eve and as of the time of publi-cation it has not been finalized. Please check your emails and the church website for the new schedule.

Christmas Day Service will remain at Noon.