Time Well Spent

I have been blessed with two wonderful daughters-in-law. They are loving wives to my boys. Ashley is a good mother to Si and Owen and their two dogs. And Elizabeth is a good dog mother to their two huge dogs. AND they are good to me. They are thoughtful and respectful. They tolerate my many reminders of how lucky they are to have such wonderful husbands. And best of all … they are both fabulous cooks. I can’t remember the last time that I had to cook a family meal. If they would only follow my every piece of advice, they would be perfect!

I am fortunate that both my boys and their families now live here in Augusta. So, we spend a lot of time together as a family. But every now and then Ashley and the boys will go out of town, and I will get to spend some alone time with Simon. Tonight, Elizabeth is out of town so Leverett and I will have some time together.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I love the time that we spend together as a family. It is a blessing beyond my wildest dreams to be able to interact with my children as adults. And being a grandmother (hoppy) to my grandsons … being able to atone for all the mistakes I made as a mama … well, that is a gift from God. But having some time to spend with my sons without all the chatter and chaos of family, well, it is time that I love. 

And then there is the time that I get to spend with my mama and daddy. Conversation over a glass of wine. Smoking a cigar with Daddy as he cooks the steaks while Mama pretends not to notice what we are up to. Precious time.

This afternoon as I was making plans for tonight, I thought about my one-on-one time with God. I wondered if he looks forward to the time I spend with him every morning as much as I do. I am God’s daughter, after all. I believe that he does look forward to our time alone together just as I look forward to my alone time with my boys. I know that he wants to hear what is on my heart. I know that he wants to be a part of my life. I know that God cherishes our time together as much as I do. And I know that it is time well spent!

Keep on keeping on…

bunny +

IT IS A RED DAY
Help us celebrate Pentecost by wearing red! Red is the traditional color of the Holy Spirit and Pentecost is the feast of the arrival of the Holy Spirit for the apostles

MEMORIAL DAY
In observance of Memorial Day the church office is closed, Monday, May 29.

SAVE THE DATE
CURSILLO # 127, SEPTEMBER 7-10, 2023. At Honey Creek, our Diocesan Conference Center.

THE VOICE
The Spring Edition of the Voice is here! Thank you to editors Cammie Jones and Gerry Chambers. This is Cammie's last edition as editor and we are extremely grateful for all of her hard work and dedication these past years. Thank you Cammie! You can read the Voice online here or pick up a copy in the lobby.

Last Breakfast!
Join us Sunday for our last home-cooked breakfast until the fall.

Christian Formation
Christian formation will resume in the fall.

1st Century AD meets 21st Century AD in Art through the Illuminations of The Saint John's Bible
The presentation of The Saint John's bible followed by a reception featuring 1st century foods was a great success.

SAVE THE DATE
CURSILLO # 127, SEPTEMBER 7-10, 2023. At Honey Creek, our Diocesan Conference Center.

Head to the Shell Newsletter for details & to sign-up for the following events.
For any questions, email mgwynn@goodshepherd-augusta.org.

VBS CREW SIGN UP
Last Call! Grades 6th & up! Contact Mary Grace to volunteer at Vacation Bible School from June 5-9th. We will have a crew training day on June 4th from 4-7pm in the Parish Hall.

BROAD RIVER KAYAKING TRIP
Save the date! Mark your calendars for June 17th for a day trip to kayak the Broad River near Athens. Limited space is available. Open to 6th-12th Grades. $30 per person. Contact Mary Grace to reserve a spot!

The deadline to register has passed, but we still have spaces available! Please bring your child at 8:30 am on Monday, June 5th for same-day registration.

Servers for the Seventh Sunday of Easter, May 28

8:00 am

Celebrant, Joe Bowden

Preacher, Bunny Simon Williams

Organist, Wayne Lord

Lay Readers, David Lantz, Lynn Tyson

10:00 am

Celebrant, Joe Bowden

Preacher, Bunny Simon Williams

Organist & Choirmaster, Jim Nord

Usher, TBD

Verger, Choppy Woodward

Lay Readers, Bob Nesbit, Lynn Smith

Acolytes, Lillian Wilkes, Annabelle Wilkes

6:00 pm

Celebrant & Preacher, Sonia Sullivan Clifton

Organist, Nick Lowery

Lay Readers, Faith Moore, Carleton Vaughn

All Services

Altar Guild Team V

Vestry Person of the Day, Paul Trotter

Search Committee Update:
The Congregational Assessment Tool (CAT), i.e. the survey, will be available through Sunday, June 4th.  Please complete the survey by that time! A “Comment Box” will be available on the table in the foyer of the parish hall starting Sunday, May 14th.  Please use this box to share with the committee anything you would like us to know that you could not include on the CAT.  The box will be locked and checked weekly by Ashley and Neal. Also, please feel free to text, call, or email any comments or thoughts to either of the co-chairs of the Search Committee: Ashley Neal (ashneal@aol.com, 706-495-7538) and Neal Dickert (neal@dickertmediation.com, 706-394-2557).

Help us Tell Good Shepherd’s Story

The Search Committee has moved forward with HolyCow! Consulting to help us in our pursuit of a Rector for Good Shepherd. We need the congregation to participate in the first step which is to conduct a congregational assessment. This assessment will provide a clear picture of who we are as a church and what directions are most important for our future. The tool we will use is the Congregation Assessment Tool (CAT), which will provide key indicators of our congregational health along with areas of challenge and potential growth. The tool will help us to collect and understand the range of views that exist at Good Shepherd and the possibilities, willingness, capacity, and energy for moving our ministry into the future.

The survey is now available. Contact the church office for the link! 

NOTE: If there is only one email address for all members of your household, it may be tempting to have one person take the survey on behalf of the family. However, please be sure that all adults, young and old, living in your home have an opportunity to complete the survey. Other members in your household can also use the "Take the Survey” button to access and complete the survey. 

Please set aside enough time to answer all the questions. This will take about 25-30 minutes. All survey responses are strictly anonymous.

Thank you for your willingness to be a part of this congregational assessment and for helping to build Good Shepherd’s future!