The Big Picture Bible: God's Story and Our Story

            “Christians are people of the book,” explains the Rev. Dr. Delmer Chilton. “Unfortunately, it’s a really, really, long and confusing book. And it is a book written over a period of a couple of thousand years, in three languages (Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic). And it uses a variety of literary forms (legend, history, preaching, poetry, letters, short stories, etc.) to proclaim its message. So, it is no wonder that most of us don’t feel like we understand it as well as we should or want to.”

            On April 21 from 9 am to 4 pm in the Parish Hall at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, Dr. Chilton will lead us on a “romp through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation,” basing his work on extensive academic scriptural study and forty years of preaching and teaching the Bible to youth and adults in congregations, as well as to parish pastors in continuing education for clergy workshops. We will learn how to fit each individual biblical book into the overall story of God’s relationship with God’s people. We will also consider how our personal stories become a part of the “Big Picture” of God’s graceful ways with the world.

            The Rev. Dr. Delmer Chilton has studied scripture at UNC - Chapel Hill, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Duke Divinity School, The Lutheran Seminary in Columbia, SC, and the University of Oxford. He has taught scripture to clergy in Continuing Education programs at Hinton Center, The Lutheran Theological Center in Atlanta, Earlham School of Religion, The North Carolina Yearly Meeting of Friends Pastors Conference, and the Academy for Christian Excellence of the Baptist Christian Fellowship, International. He is also co-producer of the Lectionary Lab podcast “Two Bubbas and a Bible” along with the Rev.  Dr. John Faircloth.

            There is no charge for this teaching event, and all are welcome. There will be a one-hour break for lunch. If possible, please notify Good Shepherd if you plan to eat lunch provided by the sponsoring Adult Spiritual Formation Committee (donation requested).  Call Good Shepherd at 828-389-3397 or Kathy Wright in the evening, 828-837-6703. Good Shepherd Episcopal Church is located 1/2 mile east of Hayesville on Highway 64.

"Moms' Connection" Celebrates Mother's Day

           May 18th will be a special day for area mothers of young children when “Moms’ Connection” provides an event full of pampering at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church.  English Tea, luxurious nail and massage offerings, and a great door prize are offered.

           This relaxing experience happens from 10:00 a.m. through 11:30 a.m. Good Shepherd Episcopal Church is located at 495 Herbert Hills Drive in Hayesville. 

           “Moms of all ages are welcomed to this lovely event,” says Moms’ Connection founder and director Susan Gray. “Participants do not need to be members of Good Shepherd. Moms’ Connection is a program for moms or grandmothers of children ages 0 to 5 and pregnant women from Clay and surrounding counties. Our only requirement for this upcoming event is that you make a reservation so that we can plan for you!”

           The deadline for reservations is Monday, May 14th.  Interested parties need to visit the Facebook page address “Momsconnectionhayesville” to reserve their place, as limited spaces are available.

           While Moms enjoy their “Spa Day,” their little ones are having a great time in the church nursery, cared for by an experienced staff.

The May 18th “Spa Day” offers moms an oasis of pampering. “Moms will be treated to an exfoliating hand treatment using warm wax and massage, by Marilyn Clark, one of our Good Shepherd members,” Gray explains. “There will also be toenail art by Jennifer Rowland if they so choose. English Tea will also be served featuring the traditional sweets and savories.”

To top it all off, “Our door prize this month will be a gift certificate from Body Sense in Hiawassee, Georgia” says Gray.

“Moms’ Connection” meets the third Friday of each month from 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. “Last month we had a wonderful ‘Moms’ Connection’” says Gray. “Tracy Cothren, a certified Car Seat Technician from the Clay County Health Department, provided safety information, checked moms’ car seats, and installed new cars seats for our moms who attended. We thank Tracy for coming to share her knowledge with us.”

“This is one type of program we like to offer with our Moms’ Connection group,” Gray continues. “Useful, practical information helps our moms in everyday situations, such as the personal safety/defense class we held recently. Then, some months we have a day to spoil our moms with a little pampering!”

Please call Susan Gray for any additional information at 828-361-7175.

For more information about Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, visit the website at www.goodshepherdhayesville.org.

Exhibition of Art Quilts Returns to Good Shepherd

           “What an honor and a pleasure it is to bring the travel exhibit of the Sacred Threads Exhibition of art quilts back to Clay County, NC,” says Jane Oliver, Co-Chairperson of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church’s Arts and Spirituality Ministry.

           “Over a thousand people came to visit this show at Good Shepherd in 2016. Now, we are very excited about the 36 NEW quilts we will share with the community this summer, from July 15th through the 29th,” Oliver continues.

“Sacred Threads” made such a unique and rewarding experience for individuals and groups alike during its 2016 visit, organizers suggest planning a visit now, although the show is almost 2 months away.

The exhibition will be mounted in Good Shepherd’s Parish Hall. The church is located at 495 Herbert Hills Drive, Hayesville, NC. There is no charge for entry to the exhibition, although donations are gratefully accepted.

           “These art quilts are made by fiber artists from all across the United States and Canada,” Oliver explains. “The artists’ stories as well as the quilts will grab everyone’s hearts and touch them deeply.”

           The collection of fiber art is spiritual in nature although not specifically religious.  The exhibition describes itself as “exploring themes of spirituality, joy, inspiration, peace, brotherhood, grief and healing.”

           The 2016 exhibition was a great success for Good Shepherd and its growing Arts and Spirituality Ministry.

           “Good Shepherd was blessed to welcome over 1,000 guests at the first Sacred Threads exhibit,” says Good Shepherd Rector Father Bill Breedlove. “We look forward once again to sharing these works of art with the community. 2016 was a deeply spiritual experience for many who attended, and we anticipate the same to be true this time.”

     “Sacred Threads” will be traveling to approximately 9 other cities across the country through May of 2019. Although it is a juried exhibition, there are no “winners.”

     According to the “Sacred Threads” organization, this biennial exhibition was established in 2001 to provide a safe venue for quilters who see their work as a connection to the sacred and/or as an expression of their spiritual journey.

      The objective is to create a dignified exhibition of artwork that touches all those who view it on both spiritual and personal levels. Another objective is to share with others the experiences of quilters whose stories may be a source of healing and strength.

           The 2018 exhibition features an array of color, emotions, and personal stories.

      From the sweet charm of “Lollipop,” an homage to one quilter’s grandchild, to “Neon” which celebrates the beauty of women of color, the individual quilts reach out to the viewer with power, loveliness, and an embracing sense of brotherhood.

           Good Shepherd’s Parish Hall is a well-lit, comfortable venue, well suited for individuals and groups alike. Exhibition hours are Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Tuesday/Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. It is open on Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

           Hayesville, NC’s “small town but sophisticated” character makes it a wonderful destination, providing visitors with a wealth of restaurants and scenic beauty, as does nearby Hiawassee, GA. Clay County and Towns County Chambers of Commerce welcome inquiries about lodging and dining.

           For more information about Sacred Threads, contact Jane Oliver at janeholiver@bellsouth.net.

           For additional information about the individual quilts and artists, visit www.sacredthreadsquilts.com

Good Shepherd Easter Worship

           Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Hayesville welcomes everyone living or visiting in our local communities to worship services and activities during Easter Week.

           Good Shepherd is located at 495 Herbert Hills Drive in Hayesville, NC. Many opportunities exist for worship and fellowship during Easter Week.

           Scheduled events include:

Sunday, March 25th:  
        8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite I with Liturgy of the Palms;
        10:45 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II with Liturgy of the Palms and Children’s Church. 
        Worshippers are invited to bring their palm leaf to the Parish Hall following worship
        to learn how to make their own palm cross.
Monday, March 26th: 9:00 a.m. Morning Prayer
Tuesday, March 27th: 9:00 a.m. Morning Prayer; 7:00 p.m. Soaking Prayer
Wednesday, March 28th: 9:00 a.m. Morning Prayer
Thursday, March 29th, Maundy Thursday: 7:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist with Foot Washing.
        Overnight watch begins at the conclusion of the Maundy Thursday service
        and continues until Stations of the Cross on Good Friday
Friday, March 30th, Good Friday:
         7:00 a.m. Stations of the Cross;
         12:00 p.m. Good Friday Service
Saturday, March 31st, Holy Saturday:
        9:00 a.m. Morning Prayer;
        7:00 p.m. The Great Vigil of Easter
Sunday, April 1st, Easter Day:
        8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite 1;
        10:45 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II

Easter events continue with a special Easter Cantata on Saturday, April 7th. The Chancel Choir will perform "What Love Is This?" The musical work is a moving worship experience for choir and congregation alike as it walks through the last days of Christ's earthly life, from the jubilant entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and the difficult days of rejection and crucifixion, to the triumphant resurrection of Easter Sunday.

The fullest spectrum of music is represented in this dramatic 35-minute work from composers Lloyd Larson, Mary McDonald, Brad Nix, Marty Parks, and Larry Shackley. A single speaker weaves the narrative between anthems ranging from celebratory to contemplative. The church will be collecting donations at the performance for The H.A.V.E.N. Children's Advocacy Center.

For more information please visit the church’s web site at www.goodshepherdhayesville.org or call 828-389-3397.