1878 - 2020 Church of the Good Shepherd Cashiers, North Carolina March/April 2020TIDINGS

WHAT’S INSIDE:

Birthdays...................... 2Anniversaries............... 2Transfers In/Out........... 2 Deaths..........................2 New to GS................... 2Holy week................... 3Adult Education........... 4Italy Pilgrimage...........4Vestry Retreat.............. 5Staffing Update............5Planned Giving............ 6Bazaar Barn................. 6Finance Info................ 7

TIDINGS1878 - 2020 Church of the Good Shepherd Cashiers, North Carolina March/April 2020TIDINGSTIDINGSTIDINGSTIDINGSTIDINGSTIDINGS

Frequently Asked QuestionsQuestions are the way we learn—as children and as adults. Recently, in the New Comers Class, I’ve had some good questions. Then, those same questions were asked of me again outside of class. So maybe, they are worth a close look for us all.

Question: If Lent is a 40-day fast, but if Sundays are feast days, does that mean we get a break from our Lenten discipline on Sundays?

Answer: Well, no. Ash Wednesday does mark the beginning of Lent, a 40-day season in which we follow Moses’ forty days on Mt. Sinai, Elijah’s 40 days and nights on the mountain, and Jesus’ forty days and forty days in the wilderness, after which he was tempted. However, a close count shows there are 46 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter Day. So, what about those other six days? Is this the loophole? With six of those 46 days as Sundays, maybe we do get to count those Sundays as feast days and therefore get a break!?! Are you getting excited? Well, don’t.

My usual response to the question about these forty days is, “Did Jesus get to come out of the wilderness on Sundays?” No, he did not, nor did Moses or Elijah get that break. We don’t get a break either. The season of Lent is 40 days, which takes us to Palm Sunday and the next season: Holy Week. Those seven days are a season unto itself. I encourage you to take the full forty day fast, not a journey of convenience or ease. We are to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, and he had 40 days in the wilderness and a very difficult last week of life, what we call Holy Week.

Question: What’s a good thing to give up for Lent?

Answer: That depends. What is standing in the way of your relationship with God? For the rich young ruler, it was money. For the Israelites, it was a golden calf, an idol. For some, it will be pride, and for others it will be an excess of food or clothes or screen time. The idea for giving up something for Lent is based on improving your relationship with God, not improving yourself. New year’s resolutions are frequently about self-improvement: how to lose weight, how to get in better shape, how to part ways with an addiction to chocolate or alcohol, or how to improve a family relationship. Your Lenten discipline is to remove impediments (walls, sins) in your relationship with God. (Chocolate, sweets, or alcohol are usually not the main impediments in one’s relationship with God. Aim higher.) You might give up TV, but then spend the time in prayer, spiritual reading, or service to others in the name of God. You might give up food or shopping, but then take the money you would have spent and give it to Fishes and Loaves or send it to a favorite charity. Those disciplines are about re-orienting ourselves to God, getting back on track, getting closer. The tune ‘Just a Closer Walk with Thee’ might be your guidepost. The point is to walk with Christ, Day by Day, in new ways…ways that we want to keep once Lent is over. Easter is all about new life, new self, new redemptions. Let your Lent lead to those new ways instead of seeing it as a short holiday from sin, to which we revert. We are (by the grace of God) Resurrection people, after all.

~ Rob +

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1 Bill Newbold1 Linda Wood1 Nan Gregory2 John Huxley3 Hibbie Theus3 Bill Pump5 Vic Galef5 Marsha Goodman6 Judy Brookfield6 Sally Shropshire6 Becca Wood6 Lamar Cole8 Scott Turner9 Allison Mautz9 Cary McKinney10 Dick Meyers11 Caroline Rivers11 Minott Rivers14 Liz Lane15 Brien Peterkin15 Linda Quick

2 Martie Kingree2 Jim Arthur3 Ann Wrobleski3 Mare Arenas4 Rainier Finley5 Chris Bracken5 Alex Ferreira5 William Ferreira5 Ruth Russ5 Ann Munday7 Helen Bertles-Ferreira7 Carroll Summerour7 Kathy Guyton7 Curtis Loftin7 Brook Owens8 Brandy Ayers8 Clifford Swift8 Barbara Carlton12 Martha Gary12 Caroline Young

17 Robert Johnson17 Sallie Peterkin17 Bill Kenny18 Clayton Lassiter19 Ann Hoyerman21 Jim Manley22 Wally Seinsheimer23 Mary Freeman23 Ken Meyer24 Ann Sherrill24 Margaret Wasson24 Winifred Davis24 Ruth Siminski24 Bill Canby25 Marty Boone 28 Alice Stanly29 Linda Stone30 Ralph Greene31 Maizie Belser31 Bob Guyton31 Rachel Dyer

Transfers Out: Jerry & Melissa Harrelson (The Cathedral of All Souls, Asheville); Transfers In: Tom Snyder (St Francis Episcopal, Houston)

Deaths: Virginia Plauche - 1/1/2020, April Harrison - 1/14/2020, Joyce Greene - 1/25/2020

12 Kevin Young14 Sandra Anderson14 Parker Anderson15 Dorothy Adams15 Marty White15 Patsy Bender16 Charlie Kingree16 Julie Hart18 Anna Robbins19 Perrin Dargan20 Fred Halback20 Jean Ann L’Enfant21 Mike Monsour22 Karen Deakin22 Sharon Stricker26 Mary Palmer Dargan27 Ned Turnbull28 Don Stone28 Bob Lathan29 Nathan Turner

Wedding Anniversaries March

Bob & Marsha Goodman Thomas & Pamela Stires3/11/1976 3/17/2018

Bob & Millie Lathan Rob & Carol Hunter3/19/1966 3/23/1979

Wedding Anniversaries April

Chipper & Cheri Allen Robert & Pam Anderson4/5 4/17/1993

Robert & Suzie Sinclair Neely & Kathy Young4/28/2007 4/29

Birthdays in March Birthdays in April

New to Good Shepherd:Joyce Andrzejewski

Darrin & Kathryn DeanBill & Nancy Duncan

Christopher, Rachel, Oliver, Samuel & Townsend Dyer

Cathy FosterJosh, Betsy, & Owen Helms

Alfred Kennedy & Bill KennyJim & Kristin Robinson

Tim, Julia, John & Will Boeve Kurt, M.C., Briggs, Kate, McKinley, & Henry PuschJimmy & Carol Hatcher

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Our Schedule of events for Lent, Holy Week and Easter

Wednesday Evenings in Lent

Each Wednesday, we will of-fer Evening Prayer at 5:30 in the church, followed by a wonderful supper in Hines Hall provided by

the groups listed below.

Our theme for the Wednesday Night Lenten program this year is “Art and Saints of Italy.” Christian Faith is expressed in so many ways, and the artists and saints of Italy, especially during the Renaissance, shared their faith in beautiful ways. Come see!

Evening Prayer at 5:30 in the ChurchSupper at 6:00 in Hines Hall

Program at 6:30 pm in Hines Hall

March 4 – Supper Hosted By: Vestry

March 11 – Supper Hosted By: Men’s Group

March 18 – Supper Hosted By: Altar Guild

March 25 – Supper Hosted By: Choir

April 1 – Supper Hosted By: Daughters of the King

Ash Wednesday, February 26 Ash Wednesday Service with music 12 NoonAsh Wednesday Service with music 5:30 p.m.

Palm Sunday, April 5, The Sunday of the PassionHoly Eucharist, Rite I 9:00 a.m. (no Sunday School)Procession of Palms & Holy Euch., Rite II 11:00 a.m.

Monday in Holy Week, April 6Community Service at Good Shepherd Noon

Tuesday in Holy Week, April 7Community Service at Church of God NoonMary’s Way of the Cross, in the Sanctuary 3:00 p.m.

Wednesday in Holy Week, April 8Community Service at Glenville Wesleyan NoonSeder Supper, Hines Hall (see note below) 5:30 p.m.

Maundy Thursday, April 9Community Service at Christ Anglican Church NoonMaundy Thursday Liturgy & stripping of altar 5:30 p.m.

Good Friday, April 10Good Friday Liturgy at Good Shepherd Noon*Community Stations of the Cross (Village Green) 4:00 p.m.(Parish Offices Closed)

Easter Day, April 12 (all with music)Holy Eucharist Rite I 8:00 a.m.Holy Eucharist Rite II 9:15 a.m.Holy Eucharist Rite II 11:00 a.m.

*Community Stations of the Cross Good Friday, April 10 at 4 pm

Cashiers Churches gather for the Stations of the Cross on a community level to walk with Christ in his last steps. The 14 stations remember events of his trial and crucifixion, and this ‘prayer walk’ is open to all people and all ages. Meet at the Village Green Commons (by the post office) at 4 pm.

Seder SupperWednesday, April 8The last meal Jesus ate with the apostles was probably the Passover Meal, or Jewish Seder. The Jewish Seder is a remembrance of the ancient story of Israel’s redemption from bondage in Egypt. For Christians the purpose of this meal is to recall the events that led to our exodus from the slavery of sin through Jesus Christ. Please email Ellen at goodshepadmin@frontier.com with your reservation or fill out the bulletin insert and place in alms basin.

Cost is $12 per person.

Reservations are required as this is a catered meal and are due no later than Friday, April 3.

Join the Italy Pilgrimage!September 14-24, 2020Father Rob and Linda will lead the next pilgrimage step as we fol-low the growth of Christianity into Italy and through the Renais-sance. See the Vatican and Sistine Chapel, The Pieta and the David. Visit the home of St. Francis. We will spend four nights in Rome, a night each in Assisi and Siena, and three nights in Florence. A day at the Tuscan winery Antinori is included, as well as a cooking class in Rome. A full itinerary is on the website and bulletin board. Cost for room, most food, transport in Italy and air travel from Atlanta is $4,995 per person. Land only (booking your own flight) is $3,643

per person. See Rob for details, and/or send him an email to be on the “interested list” at rwood.gs@gmail.com. Go to www.goodshepherdofcashiers.com for more information on this pilgrimage and to see some of the other pilgrimages we have done.

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Angels - True Stories of Heavenly VisitorsAdult Sunday School April 19, 26, and May 3

10 am in the Adult Education RoomJoin David Jones in reviewing events in history where angels, “messengers from God,” have guided and protected us. We will discuss the impact of how angels were doing God’s work through the Old and New Testament, as well as in our lives today.

Do you have a story of your own encounter to share?

The Book of Forgiving, the Fourfold Path for Healing Ourselves and Our World

By Desmond Tutu and Mpho TutuAdult Sunday School in March

10 am in the Adult Education RoomThere have been times when each and every one of us has needed to forgive. There have also been times when each and every one of us has needed to be forgiven. In our own ways, we are all broken. Out of that brokenness, we hurt others. Forgiveness is the journey we take toward healing the broken parts. It is how we become whole again.

As chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Archbishop Tutu has often been asked how the people of South Africa were able to forgive the atrocities and injustices they suffered under apartheid. When, at last, their leaders were released from prison, it was feared that their transition to democracy would become a bloodbath of revenge and retaliation. Miraculously, they chose another future. They chose forgiveness.

Come learn their “Fourfold Path of Forgiveness” in our Lenten Sunday School Series starting on March 1. We will look at video interviews of Bishop Tutu by Bill Moyers, as well as having The Book of Forgiving in the church office for those who want to delve deeply into this series. In each of us, there is an innate ability to create joy out of suffering, to find hope in the most hopeless of situations, and to heal any relationship in need of healing. So come see how we too can help stop our human community from unraveling.

Books are available in the church office for $10.

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Your Vestry attended a retreat at Lake Logan, February 11-13. The meeting was very successful and we covered a lot of material and set goals for the coming year. One of the main themes during the retreat was our Vision Statement. Below are some thoughts from your newer Vestry members on what impacted them most from the retreat.

2020 Vestry Retreat at Lake Logan: Patch Foster, David Young, Perrin Dargan, Ralph Greene, Kenneth Swanson (Retreat Facilitator), Jim Recktenwald, Irv Welling, Lenny Blevins, Janis Cox, Lea Thompson, Scott Turner, Nora Jones, Merry Soellner, Lawson Kelly, Rob Wood.

Staff UpdateFriends and Family of Good Shepherd,

We are so grateful to have had Cyndie Royce as our bookkeeper for almost 7 years. Cyndie has decided that the time for retirement has come and is retiring. While we are sad to see her go and will miss her, we are also happy for this new chapter in her life.

With thankfulness, I share with you that we have hired a new Finance and Accounts Manager, Christy Banks. Christy comes to us with over 20 years of corporate accounting experience. She moved to the plateau from Nashville, TN almost 3 years ago with her husband, Tom, and lives in the Norton Community between Highlands and Cashiers. Christy and Tom are active members of Community Bible Church in Highlands.

Cyndie and Christy have been working together since January transitioning duties. We are planning a farewell event for Cyndie on Thursday March 5th from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm. Please RSVP to Ellen at 743-2359 or goodshepadmin@frontier.com. Please join me in thanking Cyndie for all her years of service and welcoming Christy!

Blessings,Rob+ P.S. The email address for Christy is still goodshepbook@frontier.com

I was amazed as to the sincere concern and love this group had for COGS. The vision for our future as a parish is reflected in this love.

~ Lenny Blevins

It was great to finally meet everyone and get to know them. I was impressed with the amount of work done on the vision and mission and they needed very little tweeking. I enjoyed learning where I could contribute and where I need to learn more

~ Jim Recktenwald

Working on the vision and mission of Good Shepherd was most fulfilling. Our facilitator had great ability in keeping us on track, and summarizing our work in a positive way. We have some real talent on our vestry...it’s humbling! It was also a lot of thought provoking work. We have much left to do, but what a great start to a road map of what Good Shepherd might look like in the future!

~ Merry Soellner

Vestry News

It was a terrific retreat and truly reflected our mission: “to reflect God’s love through our faith in action.”

~ Lea Thompson

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Planned Giving

Church of the Good Shepherd has 5 endowment funds that support its long-term mission and ministry: Shepherd Fund, Second Century Fund, Hines Hall Fund, Conkle-Rowe Fund, and Good Shepherd Fund. These funds exist because of the generosity of our members who want to invest in the future of the church. The Endowment Fund Board is the custodian of these funds. There are restricted & unrestricted funds that are separate from the operating budget of the church. This month we will discuss the Good Shepherd Fund.

The Good Shepherd Fund is designed for gifts that do not designate a specific mission or ministry and thus can be used in an unrestricted manner. In addition, the fund can receive gifts that are designated for a specific mission outside the scope of the other four endowment funds. This fund enables the parish to fulfill its mission by developing its ministries beyond what is possible through annual operating funds. The fund, created in 2014, is focused upon the capital needs of the parish, outreach ministries, scholarships, grants, seed money for new ministries, and special one-time projects.

~ Jim Recktenwald, Endowment Committee Member

COUNT IT ALL JOY: Good Shepherd’s Bazaar

Have you purchased a furnished house and wish to give several things away? We’ll take it!Or are you downsizing and feeling overwhelmed by what you’ve accumulated? We’re here for you!Is it difficult to find someone to move your furniture donations? We’ll send movers; we’ll pay them; and we’ll give you a donation receipt!Are you looking to purchase nice things for your house at reasonable prices? The Good Shepherd Bazaar Barn is 10 seconds from the Crossroads!But are you still having the Bazaar on the second Saturday of July? YES! At the Community Center and the Barn from 9:00am to 1:00pm!

Yet the Barn is open every Friday from 10:00am to 2:00pm? Yes! To purchase indoor and outdoor furniture, art, rugs, lamps and garden items!Do you want to volunteer and meet other people from CoGS and the community? Call Ellen at church and give her your contact info! Over 150 people are helping!Who gets the harvest here? Where is the money going? Last year, Good Shepherd gave over $170,000 to 30 different non-profit agencies!WOW! It sounds like EVERYBODY WINS! They do! COUNT IT ALL JOY!!

~Sharon Stricker, Bazaar Chairperson

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Category YTD AnnualActual Budget

Operating ContributionsPledge & Plate $627,940.69 $615,000.00Other Contributions $12,493.65 $5,000.00

TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS $640,434.34 $620,000.00Operating Expenses

Personnel $315,859.89 $374,267.00Worship & Christian Form. $35,681.87 $30,950.00Parish Life & Family Activity $12,825.39 $12,720.00Building & Grounds $124,789.00 $107,496.00Administrative $107,904.19 $112,447.00Outreach & General Fund $43,360.00 $35,120.00

TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES $640,434.34 $673,000.00

Operating Fund Budget Summary through December 31, 2019

Checking account balance as of 12/31/19 $203,726.70

General Fund SummaryOutreach Fund $211,238.51Building Maintenance Fund $127,315.61Scholarship Fund $214,029.55Memorial Fund $118,233.63Graveyard Fund $114,361.42Other Accumulated Funds $404,119.42

TOTAL $1,189,298.14

Endowment Fund SummariesSecond Century Endowment Fund $1,131,000.83The Shepherd Fund Endowment $467,638.30General Endowment Fund $6,038.52Hines Hall Endowment Fund $213,324.01Conkle-Rowe Scholarship Endowment Fund $109,225.00

TOTAL $1,927,226.73

2019 Year-End Financial Snapshot for Good ShepherdGod continues to bless us in so many ways, including our cheerful givers and healthy financials. Thank you to all 2019 givers and all contributors from times past. If you have a question about any of these funds you may contact our Treasurer, Ralph Greene; our Finance Chair, Irv Welling; or Christy Banks, our Finance & Ac-counts Manager.

“She claims it’s because of last week’s ‘cheerful giver’ sermon, but I think she just misses high school.”

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 :Scott Turner Perrin DarganLawson Kelly Janis CoxNora Jones Patch FosterJim Recktenwald Merry SoellnerLea Thompson Lenny Blevins

Staff:Ellen Albright, Parish Administratorgoodshepadmin@frontier.comChristy Banks, Finance & Accounts ManagerDr. Lyn Ellen Burkett, Organist and Choir MasterPam Allison, HousekeeperAndrew Allison, Building and GroundsChurch Phone: 828-743-2359Website: www.goodshepherdofcashiers.com