 Judi Mathis rolls the beautiful arrangements to the Nave. If you have ever paused to admire the vibrant arrangements flanking our altar, you have witnessed the quiet and creative ministry of the Flower Guild. While their work adds undeniable beauty to our worship, the story behind the flowers is one of stewardship, artistry, and pastoral care. The Flower Guild is a dedicated team of volunteers who handle more than 80 percent of our Sunday services along with receptions, funerals, and special events like ordinations. While a commercial florist arrangement can often exceed $300, the Flower Guild provides stunning seasonal displays for just $100. They are able to do this because the artistry and time are donated by the members themselves. Their materials come from everywhere including local farmers markets, grocery stores, wholesale florists, and even fresh greenery clipped from their own backyards. This resourceful approach ensures that our sacred space is filled with life and color in a way that is both sustainable and heartfelt.  Getting Started! The ministry of the Flower Guild does not end when the final hymn is sung. One of the most beautiful aspects of this group is what happens during the deconstruction phase. On Sunday afternoons or Monday mornings, volunteers break down the large altar displays and re-arrange them into smaller bouquets. These re-imagined flowers are then delivered by parish volunteers to members of our community during pastoral care visits. Most of our flower donors choose to donate their arrangements for this purpose, allowing the beauty of our Sunday worship to be carried directly into the homes and hospital rooms of those who need a reminder of our community’s love. Currently the Guild is made up of about 12 arrangers and a supporting team that handles the deconstruction and re-arranging process. You do not need to be a master florist to participate as you simply need a love for nature and a desire to serve. Whether you have a green thumb for building large arrangements or prefer the quiet task of creating small bouquets for pastoral visits, there is a seat for you in this ministry.  We set the vases on the Communion rail to make sure that they are on the “correct” side of the altar. We invite you to consider sharing your time and creativity with this essential ministry. It is a wonderful way to connect with fellow parishioners while creating something beautiful for God and our neighbors. Please contact Judi Mathis for more information on joining the Flower Guild.  The altar is ready for services. Look for photos of our beautiful altar flowers each week in the Parish News. Thank you to Peter Jezierny for sharing these lovely images! The photos here show flowers from many of our 2025 services.
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 At the Church of the Good Shepherd, our faith is not just something we profess on Sunday mornings; it is something we put into action in the neighborhoods of Raleigh. This spring, we have a great opportunity to do just that. Our parish is joining Habitat for Humanity of Wake County for the Spring 2026 Beloved Build. We hope you’ll consider volunteering! What is the "Beloved Build"? The Beloved Build is a faith-based campaign inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of the "Beloved Community"—a society based on justice, equal opportunity, and love for one’s neighbor. This initiative brings together diverse congregations from across the Triangle to build homes that provide a foundation for families to thrive. Where We Are Building: Old Poole Place Our team will be working at Old Poole Place, Habitat Wake’s most ambitious project to date. Located off Old Poole Road in Southeast Raleigh, this 23-acre community is designed to be a model of affordable, sustainable living. When completed, it will provide homes for 114 families, featuring a mix of single-family homes and townhomes, all with easy access to public transit and local parks. Did You Know? The Impact of Habitat in 2026 Three Ways to Get Involved We are looking for at least 8 dedicated volunteers (hopefully more) to represent Good Shepherd on our main build day, but there are several ways to participate:
Ready to join us? Please click the links above to register. Habitat requires every volunteer to register individually to ensure they have the right safety gear and materials ready for our arrival. If you have any questions, reach out to our team coordinator, Don Blankenship. You can also refer to the FAQ page from Habitat. Let’s go to work, Good Shepherd. Let’s build the Beloved Community together.   Did you know that the Christmas custom of displaying figures depicting the birth of Jesus, owes its origin to St. Francis of Assisi over 800 years ago? You see, Francis had a special devotion to the Child Jesus. This devotion inspired him to create the first Nativity scene (or Christmas crèche) on Christmas Eve in 1223. It is believed that the idea first struck St. Francis on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land after he visited the original birthplace of Christ at the humble stable in the town of Bethlehem.  So, within a cave in the medieval town of Greccio, Italy, Francis decided to stage that scene of Christ’s birth. There he set up an empty manger. The animals' feeding trough became Jesus' crib, with hay and a live ox and donkey, just as it was believed to have happened on that first Christmas night. Through these visual aids, he wanted to deeply impress into everyone's hearts and minds exactly how Christ came into our world in true poverty, humility, and simplicity. Francis then organized a special ceremony and Mass to mark this solemn night, and invited his fellow friars and the villagers to come and gaze upon the holy scene, while he preached about “the babe of Bethlehem.” Witnesses among the gathered crowd reported that Francis included a carved infant figure that “miraculously seemed to be awakened from slumber when the blessed Father Francis lovingly lifted and embraced Him in both arms.  The Nativity scene’s popularity took off from there. Soon every church in Italy had its own Nativity scene. The devotion then spread throughout Europe, to private homes, and into modern times, so much so that it’s now impossible to imagine Christmas without a Nativity scene to behold, even in secular public spaces! Hopefully, this retelling of the first nativity scene will inspire you to see your nativity set with new eyes and devotion, as was St. Francis' intention some 800 years ago. -Brother Paul Henry, OSF Resources:
  Shape the Future of Our Parish: Vestry Nominations Now Open! Are you passionate about the mission of our church? Do you have a vision for how we manage our resources or grow our community? As we look toward a new year, we are officially seeking dedicated individuals to step into leadership roles. The Vestry is an elected representative body that acts as the legal agent for the parish. Many liken the role to a city or town council, providing governance and oversight for our community. At CGS, our Vestry consists of 12 members organized into three classes of four. Each year, four members rotate off as a new class is elected for a three-year term. This structure ensures we welcome fresh voices and new ideas every year while maintaining a steady foundation of institutional knowledge. The Parish will elect four new vestry members at our upcoming Annual Parish Meeting in January 2026. These new members will begin their term on February 1, 2026. If you are curious about how the Vestry works, they meet on the fourth Monday of each month, and parishioners are always welcome to sit in. You can also find Vestry members around CGS during Sunday services—they’d love to hear what’s on your mind! What Does the Vestry Do? If you are new to the Episcopal tradition, you can think of the Vestry as the governing board of a nonprofit. According to the national Episcopal Church, the Vestry acts as the legal representative of the parish regarding all corporate property and business. While the Rector leads our spiritual life, the Vestry supports that mission "by word and deed" through:
Is This Role Right for You? Serving on the Vestry is a rewarding way to give back, but it does require a significant commitment of time and heart. Members are expected to:
Requirements for Eligibility: Per our bylaws, candidates must be at least 18 years old, baptized, and confirmed in the Episcopal Church. How to Nominate The Nominating Committee, chaired by Esther Hall, is currently seeking qualified parishioners to stand for election. We strongly encourage self-nominations—if you feel called to serve, please don't hesitate to put your name forward!
Important Deadline: All nomination forms must be received by Friday, January 4, 2026. Help us continue to build a vibrant, sustainable, and Christ-centered community. We look forward to seeing who will step up to lead us into 2026!  Vestry minutes from 1884-85  Did you know that CGS has two ongoing Green Initiatives that offer simple, impactful ways for you to contribute to a healthier community? The Green Team is working hard to reduce waste and increase safety—and you can track our collective success every month! Here is a look at two Green Team programs and how you can get involved.  🔋 Battery Collection: Protecting Workers and Preventing Fires When batteries are tossed into regular recycling or trash, they pose a significant risk. During the recent Green Team tour of the local recycling center, we learned that workers face weekly fires caused by batteries improperly thrown away. This is a serious hazard for those handling our waste. By safely disposing of batteries, we protect workers and divert toxic materials from the landfill.
🍎 Community Composting: Diverting Food Waste from the Landfill During our tour of the Wake County Landfill, the Green Team discovered that nearly 25% (24.8%) of all trash going into the landfill is food waste. Composting is an easy action everyone can take to significantly reduce this number, turning food scraps into valuable nutrients for the earth instead. We are excited to partner with The ReCollective's Community Compost Program to make CGS a convenient collection site, contributing to a healthier and more sustainable community. The ReCollective manages the pickup, transports the compost to a processing center to be ground into soil, and returns these important nutrients to the earth. There are two primary ways you can participate in composting at CGS: 1. Home Composting Membership
 Keep Up the Good Work! The Green Team thanks you for your efforts. Be sure to check our new monthly "Green Team Impact Tracker" to track our growing success in both battery recycling and composting! For more information about the Green Team, please reach out to Beth Hahn or call the parish office.   Your Impact, Their Gift: Celebrating the Season with CGS Alternative Giving Do you ever find yourself fretting about what to get your grown children or other adults who seem to have everything? Or perhaps they’re planning to get you another wonderful thing you simply don't need? Many of us have reached a point of too much abundance and too little storage space. Here is a thoughtful solution: Alternative Gift Giving (AGG)! Donating to a non-profit which upholds your loved ones’ values can be a meaningful alternative to a physical gift. It’s a perfect way to honor, remember, or celebrate someone by making a real difference in the lives of people with very high levels of need. Our Featured Causes: Loving Our Neighbors This year, the Outreach Committee focused on causes with either a direct CGS connection or those dedicated to serving disadvantaged children and families. Your generosity will support the following proven charities: Loving Our Neighbors Here at Home
We have made participating in Alternative Gift Giving easy this holiday season! When & Where to Give Visit our Alternative Gift Giving tables which will be set up in the PLC lobby after both the 8:00 and 10:15 services on the first, second, and third Sundays of December:
The tables will have all the necessary information, donation forms, and a variety of handcrafted and store-bought Christmas/holiday cards and inserts for you to complete your gifts on the spot. Donation Details
Your donation amounts are processed by the church bookkeeper and reflected in your year-end giving statement from CGS, demonstrating how our church is helping people in need. After the third Sunday, CGS sends aggregate checks to each of the designated charities.
Come visit our table this Advent season and experience the joy of giving a gift that truly matters! Debbie Hostetter and Grace Sved Prepare the Way O Zion: An Advent Quiet Day with Julian of Norwich A Quiet Day is a day set aside for prayer, listening, and honest reflection, allowing for new clarity on life and a widening connection to God. On this Quiet Day, The Rev. Robert Fruehwirth, associate interim rector at St. Paul’s in Cary, will lead retreatants through reflections from the great medieval mystic and theologian, Julian of Norwich. Following the theme of Advent, we will be asking Julian for insight about how God comes anew into our lives (Even now! Exactly as they are!) and what our role might be in preparing for this. Attendees will be invited to practice silence at periods during the day; our time together will be held in an easy rhythm of guided meditations, personal time for reflection and reading, and communal prayer. Refreshments and lunch will be provided, as will nursery care. Cost: $50, scholarships available. Retreat Limit: 20 attendees. Where: The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, Raleigh When: Dec 6, 2025 10-4pm To register: send an email to [email protected]  Biographical Note: The Rev. Robert Fruehwirth is a published author of two books on spirituality and a well-known speaker and retreat leader on Julian of Norwich, the life of prayer, and God’s work in our lives. For many years he was a monk in the Episcopalian monastic community, the Order of Julian of Norwich. Following this, he trained as a therapist and served at the Julian Shrine in Norwich, England. For the past 10 years he has served in parishes in the Diocese of North Carolina, and maintains a practice of spiritual direction.  Even though the recent federal shutdown has ended, we will continue our efforts to feed the hungry this month. SNAP assistance for our vulnerable neighbors in Wake County has been seriously impacted, and the lag in support is causing hardship. To that end, I invite you to consider offering additional support to feed the hungry this November. At Good Shepherd, you can love your hungry neighbor by:
Donation baskets will be available at the church and in the Parish Life Center for food items and for monetary offerings. Online giving is now available through Realm and on the parish website. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me directly. Please join me in continuing to pray for our government, for mutual good will among legislators, and the vision to see what is possible when we commit to working together for the common good. In Christ's love as ever, Imogen+  Or, if you would like to ship items directly to Urban Ministries, use their Walmart wishlist here.  ONE Wake is a non-partisan, multi-racial, multi-issue group of religious congregations, associations, and other non-profits in the Wake County area with membership totaling in excess of 50,000 households. The Church of the Good Shepherd is joined with the members of nearly 50 other churches, mosques, synagogues, and non-profits to advocate for all voices. ONE Wake is a non-partisan, multi-ethnic, and focuses on multi- issues with a focus on affordable housing to equity, mental health and public transportation. I attended the ONE Wake Strategic Retreat on September 25 and am enthusiastic about the progress made and the plans to get help for Raleigh housing diversity. The top actions include:
I volunteered for Municipalities because Church of the Good Shepherd is a downtown church with members from the 12 surrounding towns. Connecting our members with their township political representatives is a logical goal. ONE Wake must expand our reach. What can you do?
 CGS representatives at a spring 2025 ONE Wake gathering. Join us this October at ONE Wake events:Please come to the ONE Wake annual meeting and the Cary Candidate Forum- October 21 If you are active in ONE Wake or want to know more about their actions in the Affordable Housing Campaign, please come to their annual meeting: Tuesday, October 21, 2025 7 pm Christ the King Lutheran Church 600 Walnut St Cary, NC 27511 ONE Wake will review the year, discuss current strategy and confirm fundraising goals. Be sure to RSVP so the number of handouts is appropriate. RSVP ONE Wake Annual Meeting If you want or need a ride to the Annual Meeting, please contact Jeff Whittaker. Please attend the ONE Wake Cary City Council Candidate Assembly - October 25
Use your presence and voice to show candidates that Affordable Housing is a key voter issue. If you've never been to an ONE Wake Assembly before, this is how it works:
ONE Wake Cary Council Candidates Assembly Saturday, October 25, 10 am Cary Presbyterian Church 614 Griffis St, Cary, NC 27511 RSVP for Cary Council Candidates Assembly The incarceration of a loved one can feel like a devastating and isolating experience. Families often struggle alone to navigate the complicated criminal justice system while enduring the trauma and stigma that surrounds this difficult reality. At the Church of the Good Shepherd, we believe no one should have to walk this path alone. That is why we are launching the Prison Families Support Group—a vital new ministry dedicated to providing support, community, and hope for friends and family members impacted by incarceration. A Support Group Rooted in Faith and Experience This group is organized and led by two members of our congregation, Ann and Shep Smith. They understand that the need for support goes beyond what is often available. In their experience, many existing faith-based groups focus solely on conversion. Their vision is to offer a different approach: a safe, compassionate, and nonjudgmental space where the focus is on emotional support, practical resource sharing, and simply being present for one another. The clergy and leadership at Good Shepherd fully support this effort, recognizing the urgent need to extend God's love and community to those facing the immense challenges of having a loved one in the justice system. Join Our Community This monthly support group is designed for friends and family members who are justice-impacted with a loved one who is incarcerated. Our goal is straightforward: to break the silence and stigma surrounding incarceration by building community. Together, we seek to strengthen families, foster resilience, and encourage hope for healing and restoration. We invite you to join us for our inaugural meeting and find a space where your experience is understood and your burden can be shared. You do not need to be a member of Good Shepherd to attend—all are welcome. Meeting Details
Share the Hope If you know of anyone in your own family, neighborhood, or other congregations who might benefit from this support group, we sincerely appreciate you sharing this information. All necessary contact and registration information is available on the flyer below. We look forward to meeting you and building a community defined by compassion and hope.  |
