Mom's Connection Returns Feb 16

“We are looking forward to kicking off the first Moms’ Connection meeting of the year on Friday, February 16th, from 10-11:30 a.m.,” says coordinator Susan Gray. This successful program continues to serve mothers and caregivers of children ages 0 to 5. Expecting mothers are also welcomed.

The event will take place in the Parish Hall at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, 495 Herbert Hills Drive in Hayesville, NC.

“Hope Burch MHS of ‘Parents As Teachers’ will be joining us.  ‘Parents As Teachers’ promotes health, early development, and early intervention of young children by supporting and engaging their parents and caregivers.  It will be a fun and relaxing time for moms, and their kids will have a fun activity to do in the nursery,” explains Gray who is also a member of Good Shepherd and a Social Worker at the Clay County Health Department.

As always, refreshments will be served, and there will be a drawing for a wonderful door prize. 

“Remember, all moms and guardians of kids 0-5 years as well as pregnant women in Clay and surrounding counties are welcome to join us!  The mission of Moms' Connection is to connect and support moms of preschoolers, and to be shown the love of Christ.”  The group and the childcare is free. 

Moms’ Connection meets on the third Friday of every month from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, 495 Herbert Hills Dr., Hayesville, NC 28904.  Susan welcomes your inquiries at 828-361-7175.

Lenten Season Begins with Pancakes, Services, and "Ashes to Go"

From the early days of Christianity, followers of the Faith observed the remembrance of Christ’s passion and resurrection with a period of prayer, fasting and reconciliation. Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Hayesville invites all to take part in such activities to begin the Lenten season starting February 13th. Good Shepherd Episcopal Church is located at 495 Herbert Hills Drive in Hayesville.

The church continues its Lenten tradition of a special Pancake Supper taking place on Tuesday, February 13th from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the church’s Parish Hall. Imposition of Ashes will be observed at 7:00 p.m.

The “Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper” is an opportunity to honor a tradition which began in the Middle Ages. Pancakes were eaten to clear the larder of milk, fat and meat before Ash Wednesday when Lent begins, 40 days before Easter Sunday.

Good Shepherd’s Pancake Supper welcomes all to enjoy “the best pancakes in Western North Carolina.” The secret is in the special flour! In addition to pancakes there will be local Bitter Creek Extra Lean Handmade Sausage, warm maple syrup, applesauce and juice, coffee, and tea. Gluten free pancakes are also available.

The cost is only $6.00 per person ages 12 and over, with a special ticket price of $3.00 for ages 11 and under. Tickets will be on sale in the Parish Hall beginning Sunday, February 11th and at the door February 13th.

The Pancake Supper is being produced by the young men who make up the Order of Saint George with help from the parish, family, and friends. All proceeds will go to Good Shepherd’s children and youth ministries.

Ash Wednesday Services will be held February 14th consisting of Holy Eucharist with Imposition of Ashes at 12:00 noon.

For those whose jobs and other commitments do not allow them to attend the Tuesday evening events or the Wednesday noon service, “Ashes to Go” occurs at 7:00 a.m.Wednesday morning. The concept of “Ashes to Go” brings this act of penitence out from the church building and into the mainstream of the community.

“We’re offering ashes on the street because that reminder of need, humility, and healing shouldn’t be confined to a church building,” says Breedlove.  “We probably need it more when we are in the middle of our daily business! The ashes we receive here will remind us throughout the day of our need for God and of God’s call to us.”

From the Middle Ages it became the custom for worshippers to begin Lent by being marked in ash with the sign of the cross. “Being reminded that we are dust turns our attention to the creative power of God and God’s ability to heal the brokenness in our lives. Turning to God is the work of Lent, preparing us for the celebration of Easter,” says Breedlove.

Good Shepherd welcomes everyone in the community to the Pancake Supper and Ash Wednesday’s Holy Eucharist with Imposition of Ashes. For those whose lives don’t allow stopping for worship inside the church, “Ashes to Go” brings this special Lenten tradition to their car windows.

For more information, call Good Shepherd Episcopal Church at 828-389-3397 or visit the web site at www.goodshepherdhayesville.org.

Good Shepherd Offers Iconography Workshop

The Arts and Spirituality Ministry at Good Shepherd Hayesville is offering a week-long icon
painting class March 19 through 23, 2018. The class will be taught by Teresa Harrison, nationally known iconographer. Class runs from 8:30 until 4:00 daily.
Those who enroll will create an icon in the traditional Byzantine style. Each day will begin with a Eucharist Service and will include noonday prayer, group reflection, and teachings on the history of icons and the practice of praying with them. This joyful experience is open to all faiths and to those with or without experience in creating icons.
The cost for the week-long class is $400.00, which includes all supplies and lunch each day. Space for the class is limited. To reserve a space, a $100.00 deposit is requested, with the rest of the fee due by February 15, 2018. Checks may be sent to Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, 495 Herbert Hills Drive, Hayesville, NC 28904.
For anyone who needs lodging for the week, the following facilities are available: The Deerfield Inn or the Hinton Center in Hayesville; Brasstown Valley Resort in Young Harris, Georgia; the Holiday Inn Express and Suites or Lake Chatuge Lodge in Hiawassee, Georgia.
For additional information, contact Beth Hitchcock at 828-389-4445 or htchcckb@aol.com