Happy new year and Merry Christmas! As we begin this new year, we are grateful for you and for your commitment to ministry here. Our tradition says that our baptism makes us part of the Church and makes us all ministers. The Book of Common Prayer says it succinctly, “The ministers of the Church are lay persons, bishops, priests, and deacons.” 
 
The Church is all of us, and we are all its ministers. Times of clergy transition make this clear. As we begin this interim period, I am so glad to share ministry with you. 
 
I invite you to deepen your commitment to Good Shepherd in 2024. Click here for a description of the ways you can be involved in the life of the parish. All of this, of course, is in the service of knowing Christ’s transforming love and helping others to know that love.
 
Thank you for being part of our parish community. I look forward to seeing you on Sunday or online. 
 
Peace,
Stanford
 
The Rev. Stanford Adams, locum tenens
HAVE YOU PLEDGED YOUR SUPPORT FOR 2024?
All of our ministries depend on your financial support. We ask you to pledge now for 2024. By telling us now what you expect to give in the new year, you let us plan our ministries for the coming year. Please prayerfully consider your pledge to Good Shepherd to support the parish and the ministries we share.
SUNDAY LUNCHEON AT THE HILL
Sunday, January 7 | 11:30a–12:30p, the Hill, Parish Hall
This is the last Sunday that the Rev. Laurence Wainwright-Maks will be with us. Please stop by to say goodbye and wish him well. The luncheon will be immediately following the 10:30a worship service. We especially welcome all newcomers to come and be a part of the fellowship that takes place at the Hill. If you would like to join our meal or volunteer to bring a dish, please contact Susie Piaget.
WEDNESDAYS ON WINDSOR: THE STAR MOVIE NIGHT & FEAST OF LIGHT EPIPHANY CELEBRATION
Wednesday, January 10 | 5:30p–7:30p, Windsor, PLC
  • 5:30p–6:30p - Dinner in the PLC*
MENU: spaghetti & meatballs, broccoli, garlic bread, Italian cream cake
*this is our new dinner time for 2024!
  • 5:30p - Chalking of the Door
  • 6:00p - Movie (PG, 1:26m in length)
Please register for dinner HERE.
PREGNANCY LOSS SUPPORT GROUP
Wednesday, January 10, 17 & 24 | 6:30p–7:30p,
Windsor, reflection room
If you have experienced a pregnancy loss, you know how hard it is to navigate. Grief is a normal and necessary reaction to miscarriage, stillbirth, or newborn death, and it lasts far longer than many people realize. Grieving parents may experience a variety of emotions following a pregnancy loss, including shock, anger, and helplessness. If this applies to you, or you know someone who might benefit from this kind of support, please join us in this opportunity to come together and find comfort. Please contact the Rev. Paige Alvarez Hanks for more information.
YOUTH CONFIRMATION RETREAT
Friday, January 12–Saturday, January 13,
5:30p–9:30p Friday, 9:00a–6:00p Saturday,
Windsor, PLC
This confirmation retreat is for students in 9th grade and up who are ready to make a mature and public declaration of their faith. This entails a commitment to participation in the life of the church, including regular attendance at worship, service to the church, and an overall interest in deepening their connection to God. Please contact the Rev. Brin Bon with any questions.
MLK DAY CELEBRATION
Monday, January 15 | 11:00a, off-site, Texas State Capitol
Join Good Shepherd and other Austin-area Episcopal churches in a celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King's legacy. At 11:00a, we will meet at the south side of the Capitol, by the Heroes of the Alamo Monument, and join in the march to Huston-Tillotson University for the MLK Community Festival from 11:15a–3:30p. Stay for the whole event or as much as you would like. Marchers are asked to help by bringing canned goods or non-perishable food items, which will be donated to the Central Texas Food Bank. Contact Paul Sarahan.
GOOD SHEPHERD YOUNG ADULTS GAME NIGHT
Tuesday, January 16 | 7:00p, the Hill, parish hall
Our young adults group fosters community and connection among those in the congregation in their 20s and 30s. Bring your game face to the Hill for pizza and good old-fashioned fun! For more information, please contact Phillip Bedford.
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
Sunday, January 28 | 12:00p, Windsor, PLC
Join us for this year's Annual Parish Meeting in the parish life center after the 10:30a services at Windsor. Hear about the state of the parish and plans for 2024, and elect our new vestry class. Breakfast tacos will be served in the PLC after 10:30a worship.
PANCAKES & PAJAMAS
Sunday, January 28 | 11:45a, Windsor, media room
Children age 3 years (and potty trained)–5th grade are invited to a pajama party with pancakes during the Annual Parish Meeting! At 11:45a before the meeting begins, please bring your children to the media room.
GOOD SHEPHERD WOMEN'S RETREAT:
ABIDE: TAKING TIME AWAY TO PAUSE TOGETHER
February 23–25, 2024
off-site, The Retreat at Balcones Springs
Join us for this transformative Lenten women's retreat and make space to dwell in God again. Guided by the Rev. Callie Swanlund - Episcopal priest, spiritual companion, and coach trained in the wisdom of Brené Brown - this retreat will take us on a profound journey recalling Jesus' time in the wilderness. Registration is now open!
TURKEY PILGRIMAGE
April 18–24, 2024
There’s still time to sign up!
Interested in visiting the sites of some of the earliest Christian communities including Ephesus, Cappadocia and Smyrna? Join the Rev. Stanford Adams on a pilgrimage to Turkey from April 18–28, 2024. We’ll explore the sites of Istanbul as well as tour historical Christian landmarks. We will visit some of the earliest churches on record, and witness where Paul gathered his first Christian congregations. We’ll reflect on how these events and places inform our faith today. There's a great group already signed up, and we have some spaces remaining. For questions or for more information, please contact Mary Hilliard.
TRINITY STREETS
Sunday, January 7 | 2:00p–4:30p, offsite
At Trinity Streets, we serve meals for 40-65 people coming in off the streets of downtown Austin on Sunday afternoons. Volunteers serve by preparing and serving meals, hosting a worship service for those coming to Trinity Center, and cleaning the kitchen afterwards. To register please click HERE.
MOBILE LOAVES & FISHES:
FOOD TRUCK PREP + RUNS
Thursday, January 18, offsite
Join Good Shepherd’s Team 102 for the Mobile Loaves & Fishes Food Truck prep and run. Sign up to prepare sandwiches and load the truck from 4:00p–5:00p at the Mobile Loaves and Fishes Commissary (at St. John Neumann’s Catholic Church). You may also sign up for the truck run from 5:00p–7:00p, where you’ll take food to several locations around Austin. All volunteers are welcome!
To register please click HERE.
COMMUNITY FIRST! VILLAGE: MOVE-INS
Saturday, January 20 | 9:00a, offsite
Community First! Village (CF!V) is a 51-acre community that provides affordable, permanent housing and a supportive community for people coming out of chronic homelessness. Come be a part of the Spirit at work in our community. We will meet at Community First! Village and we will be guided to one of the new homes to clean and furnish for unhoused neighbors. This is a wonderful opportunity for families with teens to serve together. All volunteers are welcome. Click HERE to sign up.
MORE WAYS TO CONNECT
For information on all of the ways you can worship with us, take part in formation and serve others, please click here. For a list of upcoming events, click here.