 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.
0 Comments
 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.  If we work together, we can end world hunger. That's why we're participating in the CROP Hunger Walk to support CWS and help families who are struggling with hunger. Please join The Church of the Good Shepherd with your steps and your donations as we walk on November 8! Together we will provide more meals for the growing number of people in our community who need them and create greater food security in communities around the world. Take a Step Towards Ending Hunger The Church of the Good Shepherd (CGS) is organizing a team to participate in the upcoming Greater Triangle Area CROP Hunger Walk! We invite you to join us on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 10:00 AM, as we walk together to support both our local neighbors and communities across the globe in their struggle with food insecurity. By signing up to walk, you help raise awareness and encourage your friends and family to sponsor your steps.  What is the CROP Hunger Walk? The CROP Hunger Walk is an annual, interfaith fundraising event sponsored by Church World Service (CWS), held every November. It brings the community together for a simple yet powerful mission: to combat hunger and poverty by raising money for essential relief and long-term solutions.
Event Details The 2025 walk will begin at the First Baptist Church Raleigh, located at 99 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh, NC. We will gather at 10:00 AM to start our walk and continue our collective work to reduce food insecurity.  How to Get Involved If we work together, we can provide more meals and create greater food security in communities near and far.
Join or Donate Today! You can sign up to be a member of our walking team and/or make a donation using the link below: >>>Join The Church of the Good Shepherd Team Here<<< We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, November 8th, as we walk to end world hunger.  Want to take a tour? Join the Green Team on Friday, November 7 at the Walnut Creek Wetland Educational Center and Nature Park. Often environmental stories are sad and depressing, but we have a good news story that is the result of Episcopalians partnering with grassroots organizations to restore wetlands, resulting in the beautiful Walnut Creek Wetland Educational Center and Nature Park. Come and learn with us:
Details:
Join us on an exclusive tour of these facilities! We have also asked our brothers and sisters at St. Ambrose to join us for this event! Don’t Miss This: Please see the short video below about the Walnut Creek Wetland Park and Partners for Environmental Justice:  On Sunday, October 5th, at 4:00 PM, the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd invites you to join us on the North Carolina State Capitol grounds for our annual Blessing of the Animals. This tradition is a favorite for many in our community, offering an opportunity to give thanks for the loyal and loving creatures who share our lives. All are welcome—parish members, our neighbors, and every person who cherishes their animal companions. Why an Episcopal Church Blesses Animals At its heart, the Blessing of the Animals is a celebration of God's boundless creation. The tradition is rooted in the life and teachings of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment. While St. Francis lived in the 12th century, his radical love for all living things continues to inspire us today. He saw every creature as a brother or sister, a part of the same divine family. For our parish, this service is a way to live out our call to be stewards of creation. We believe that God's love and grace are present in all things, and that includes our pets. They teach us about unconditional love, loyalty, and joy. This annual blessing is a visible expression of our faith that God's compassion extends to all creatures, and we, as their caregivers, are called to mirror that compassion. What to Expect at the Service The service will be a brief and joyful celebration, taking place on the beautiful grounds of the Morgan Street lawn of the NC State Capitol, just a short walk from our church. We will offer a prayer and a reading from scripture, and then our clergy will offer a personal blessing to each animal who comes forward. We encourage you to bring all your pets—dogs on leashes, cats in carriers, and even more exotic companions. If your pet is shy or anxious in crowds, you are welcome to bring a photograph of them to receive the blessing. It is a moment to connect with one another, share stories of our beloved pets, and simply celebrate the joy they bring into our lives. Join us on Sunday, October 5th, at 4:00 PM on the NC State Capitol grounds in downtown Raleigh. We look forward to seeing you and your faithful friends! Relevant Scripture and Tradition The Bible is rich with references that affirm God’s care for all of creation. A Blessing of the Animals service often draws upon these passages to remind us of our sacred responsibility.
 by Brett MacDonald This July I joined twelve EYC students and six adult parishioners from Church of the Good Shepherd (CGS) on a mission trip to Burnsville, North Carolina, for hurricane relief work. Going into the week, I was anxious. I didn’t really know anyone going very well and was nervous about working closely with a new group for an entire week. On top of that, I was asked to help lead spiritual reflections and activities for the youth. While I’ve worked with teenagers for the past two years and led mission trips before, those trips were with kids I already knew and with whom I’d built social capital. This time was different and teenagers can be intimidating. Would they like me? Think I was funny? Or “cool” enough to be worth listening to? If not, it was going to be a longgg week. However, the moment I walked into the Ennis Suite, my anxiety began to melt. I was greeted by a dozen friendly faces, each introducing themselves and telling me how glad they were that I’d be part of the team. That hospitality, present in the first moments, became the heartbeat of our week together. From Monday through Friday, we worked to help a woman named Linda, who had lost her house in Hurricane Helene. Our task was to help build an addition to her daughter’s house, so Linda could have a space of her own. When we arrived, only the foundation and walls were up. By the end of the week, we had carried heavy roof trusses up a steep hill, framed and decked the roof with plywood, laid shingles, and built a front porch. Every day was hard work under a hot summer sun, but each nail driven, each shingle, each deck hole set, felt like a small act of love. Evenings were filled with laughter and connection. As a group we played cards, various games outdoors with the volleyball, went for a swim at a beautiful mountain swimming hole, and even partook an escape room. Those moments of joy were as important as the work itself, as they allowed us to grow closer and closer together as a community. For me, the week became a living parable of what it means to be the Body of Christ. In Scripture, we hear again and again that loving God cannot be separated from loving our neighbor. Service is not an optional extra. Rather, it is the shape of Christian discipleship. Jesus himself “came not to be served but to serve” (Mark 10:45), and he tells us that when we serve others, we are serving him (Matthew 25:40). Throughout the week, we, as a collective group, learned that the gospel is something you live with your hands, as much as you speak with your lips. This was the Church at its best: young people and adults, laughing and sweating together, giving ourselves away in love. Others on the trip shared similar reflections. Dan Harris, our senior warden, remarked: “I enjoyed getting to know Chris, our construction foreman, a Southern Baptist from Missouri, and learning how much we all had in common.” Ginger Harris reflected on both the youth and the impact of the work: “These kids are amazing, and if anyone has the chance to do anything with the EYC group, they should do it! And it was amazing to see how much this meant to Linda and her daughter…they were genuinely moved that people would give up time in the summer to help them.” For EYC student Allison Elliot, the week was a blend of service and joy: “Our mission trip to western North Carolina was so incredible! We served our community, learned some new skills, made lots and lots of fun memories, and got to experience being the hands and feet of Jesus. Between playing cards, almost slipping down the big hill while playing spud, solving an escape room, and jamming out in the car—we had some fun! I definitely want to go on another mission trip!” Her sister, EYC student Isabel Elliot, echoed that joy: “This year’s mission trip was such an incredible and rewarding experience. One of my favorite memories was learning how to shingle a roof (shoutout to Mr. Edward), and playing card games in the evening with our friends. I am so grateful for the opportunity I was given to learn many new things, meet new people, and share the joy of Christ.” Overall, mission trips are never just about the projects we complete. Instead, they are about the relationships formed, the faith deepened, and the witness we bear together to the love of Christ. Burnsville reminded us that when we offer ourselves in service, God uses even our smallest acts to build up God’s kingdom here on earth.  For the past two years, the Beyond Our Doors Ministry Team has been dedicated to supporting our community through the Little Free Pantry. Located in front of the Parish Life Center, right next to the circular driveway, the pantry is a self-serve resource available 24/7. It provides snacks, bottled water, and other useful items to neighbors who may need a little extra help. During the hot summer months, volunteers including Sharon Booth, Gerard McNeill, Susan Lewellen, Kathy McLeod, and Whitney Cain have worked tirelessly to keep the pantry stocked with bottled water. Their efforts, along with those of many others, ensure that a basic need is met during oppressive temperatures. How You Can Help Stock the Pantry In addition to the monetary donations we gratefully receive, we are asking for your help in donating supplies. When you're considering what to contribute, think about nutritious, easy-to-eat, nonperishable foods that can withstand extreme temperatures. Here are some suggested donations:
Your contributions truly make a difference! Rally Day: Funding Our Ministry You can also support the Little Free Pantry by participating in our Rally Day Festival on September 7, 2025. All proceeds from popular activities like the Dunking Booth, the Used Book Sale, and the Cookie/Bake Off will go directly toward funding the pantry's supplies. Your participation helps ensure this ministry can continue to serve our community. We ask that everyone bring a item for the pantry to Rally Day! If you'd like to learn more about the Little Free Pantry or get involved, please feel free to contact Whitney Cain or Gerard McNeill.   One of the great ministries here at Church of the Good Shepherd is “The Meal Train”. Nan Boyne serves as its “Chief Conductor” and she is always looking for additional volunteers to help deliver a meal or two when needed. Here are some important details for your consideration as a one-time or frequent volunteer:
For more details or to get your name on the Meal Train, contact Nan Boyne at [email protected]. All Aboard! You will be amazed how easy it is and how great you will feel when you ride this train!   Back-to-School Backpacks for Episcopal Farmworker Ministry Again this year, The Church of the Good Shepherd is collecting back-to-school school supplies to benefit approximately 350 children served by Episcopal Farmworker Ministry. Our goal this year is to collect 80 backpacks! Here’s how it works:
Thank you in advance for your generous support! Contact: Gerard McNeill or the Parish Office. Learn more about this important ministry below:  The Episcopal Farmworker Ministry: Support for Agricultural Workers in North Carolina The Episcopal Farmworker Ministry (EFWM) is a dedicated organization committed to "responding to the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of farmworkers." As a collaborative effort between the Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina and the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, the EFWM has been a vital resource for agricultural workers and their families across Eastern rural North Carolina since its inception in 1978. Mission and Reach Based in Sampson County, the EFWM primarily serves crop field workers and meat processing plant workers, along with their families. Their comprehensive approach includes direct services, educational initiatives, and various other programs designed to support this essential community that supports our nation’s agricultural system. A History of Service The EFWM's journey began modestly in 1978 as the "Clothing Closet Ministry." Over the years, it expanded its scope to address a broader range of needs:
 Programs and Current Focus Today, the EFWM continues its mission with a wide array of services and programs. While historically working with Latino migrant workers from other states and abroad, the ministry has expanded its reach to include Latino agricultural workers who reside in North Carolina year-round. This includes individuals working in meat processing plants, nurseries, packing houses, animal farms, and various field roles. Beyond their foundational services, the EFWM offers specific programs where community support makes a tangible difference in the lives of farmworkers:
Support the Ministry The Episcopal Farmworker Ministry remains a beacon of hope and support, continually adapting its services to meet the evolving needs of agricultural workers and their families in North Carolina. To learn more or to contribute financially to their work, you can donate directly through their website: https://www.efwm.org/donate. All photos and information above from the EFWM website. Please read and subscribe to their newsletter to get more involved: https://www.efwm.org/ Back-to-School Backpacks: Supply List Our parish goal is to fill 80 backpacks during July. Thank you in advance for your generous support! Contact Gerard McNeill or call the Parish Office if you have questions. Instructions:
Pre-K / Kindergarten School list ● Pencil pouch/pencil box pencils ● Scissors blunt tip/child size scissors ● Expo markers ● Glue sticks ● 2 boxes of Kleenex tissue ● Crayons ● One pair of headphones ● One pack of dry-erase markers ● 1 box of gallon-size ziploc bags ● Construction paper ● Pocket folders ● Backpack Elementary School Supply List (1rst grade through 5th grade) ● 2 inch 3 ring binder ● Wired Headphones (No earbuds) ● Pencil pouch ● 2 composition book ● Crayons ● Pencils ● Pink erasers ● Dry erase markers ● Scissors (2) Kids friendly ● Three plastic pocket folders ● Glue sticks ● 2 pack of loose leaf paper ● 2 Subject notebook/Composition notebook ● 1 box Tissue ● 1 box of gallon size Ziploc bags ● Colored pencils ● Highlighters ● Pens ● Backpack Middle School supply list (6th grade to 8th grade) ● 3 inch 3 ring binder ● 1 set of 8 tab dividers ● Glue sticks ● Wired headphones (No earbuds) ● Graph paper / squared paper ● Pencils ● Pencil sharpener ● Pens black red and blue ● Erasers ● 2 Folders with pockets ● 1 pack of highlighters ● Index cards ● Pencil case/bag ● 2 Composition notebook ● Colored pencil ● Ruler ● Box of tissues ● Backpack with padded laptop slot High School supply list (9th grade to 12th grade) ● Highlighter ● Pack of pens (Assorted colors) ● Colored Pencils ● Pencil pouch ● Pencils or mechanical pencils ● (1) 5 subject notebook ● Index cards ● Pencil sharpeners ● Erasers ● Sticky notes ● Index cards ● Ruler ● Wired headphones (No earbuds) ● Backpack with a padded laptop slot  |
|
The Church of the Good Shepherd
121 Hillsborough Street Raleigh, NC 27603 919-831-2000 [email protected] Pastoral Care Support Line 919.831.2008 Sunday Schedule Holy Eucharist - 8:00 am, 10:15 am Christian Formation - 9:00 am Fellowship - after 10:15 am service Parish Office Hours Monday-Thursday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Friday: by appointment |
|
