In This Issue...

Good Sam is happy to introduce The Rev. Mary Davis to the congregation. Mary, her husband, Bunker, and sons Ryan and Nolan moved to Knoxville from New Jersey last September. Their third son, Patrick lives and works in New York City.

For the past decade, Mary served as Rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Chatham, NJ (Diocese of Newark) until health issues caused her to step down from her role. Good Sam welcomes Mary’s gifts to this community and to this end, she will be preaching periodically.

Both Mary and Bunker are graduates of Sewanee. In addition, Mary holds a Masters in Education from Columbia University (NY, NY) and a Masters of Divinity from Drew University in Madison, NJ.

Adult Formation: The Book of JOY

~~~

**On May 15 - Children & Youth will have a Celebration - Lunch, Fun, Games & an Ice Cream Truck!

Happy Easter! Today's story is the perfect introduction for children to the events of the first Easter. It's very gently told in story form, so very appropriate for our youngest ones.

Saturday, April 30 - 9 AM

Spring has Sprung and it is time to do some work on the church grounds. Please join us on Saturday, April 30 for a work day. We will start at 9 am and we'll have lunch available for hungry workers!

We’ll have both indoor and outdoor jobs. Everyone is welcome - many hands make light work! Please bring work gloves and garden tools. Thank you!

Sunday, May 15

11:15 am - 12:30 pm

Here I Am Day A Diocesan Event

Saturday, May 21

Coffee/Check-in @ 8:30 am

Program starts at 9 am

Every baptized Christian is called to ministry. Sometimes God’s call to us is clear; other times we need help to figure it out.

On Saturday, May 21, the Episcopal Church in East Tennessee will host its annual Here I Am Day. This program is intended for anyone who is discerning a call to licensed lay ministry, religious orders, the vocational diaconate, or to the priesthood. It will include remarks by the Bishop, panel discussions with lay and ordained ministers, and opportunities for prayer and fellowship.

All individuals who have begun a process of discernment within their parish are expected to attend, along with their sponsoring clergy. Others who are just beginning to explore a call and who would like more information about different ministries and tools for discernment are also encouraged to participate.

Lunch is provided and included in the $20 registration fee. The registration deadline is Friday, May 13, 2022.

Please feel free to contact Jon Humber, Episcopal Engagement Specialist, with any questions at [email protected].

Bishop Brian L. Cole will be making his annual visitation to Good Samaritan on Sunday May 22.

As usual, we’ll have two services that day at 8:30 am and 10:00 am. Confirmation will be held at the 10:00 am service. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to greet Bishop Cole and ask him questions about his ministry as the Bishop of our diocese.

IN ADDITION - we will be observing and celebrating GOOD SAMARITAN SUNDAY on May 22. We will gather after the 10 AM service for a meal/picnic. Look for more information about that soon, but mark your calendar for this special day and make plans to join us!

The Episcopal Church of the Good Samaritan is looking to hire 3-4 people to work in their church nursery. The hours are Sundays, 8:15 am -12:15 pm. Our nursery is small; there are typically not many children who need care.

There are also occasional opportunities to work during parish dinners, evening services, etc. (Evening work is not a requirement for employment.)

A few housekeeping duties are included in the job. Safeguarding God’s Children training is required and will be offered by the church. Covid protocols will be in place. If you are interested, please contact Ann Backus at [email protected] or call the church office at 865-693-9591.

Thanks to Good Sam’s Good Neighbor Team, our refugee family from Iraq arrived in Knoxville on April 13 to a warm welcome of Good Samaritans at the airport and are now settled into their new home here in Knoxville.

YOU CAN HELP! Most of the household items used to furnish their apartment came from Bridge’s storage shed. We can help restock Bridge’s supply of household items for the next families moving to Knoxville. Bridge needs items for kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms and bedrooms. YOUR DONATIONS WILL HELP LOTS OF FOLKS!

Please put items in the basket marked “Bridge Refugee Services” in Henslee Hall. Contact either Darla Miller ([email protected]; 865.250.9173) or Malinda Lewis ([email protected]; 901.487.0850; ) if you have any questions or if you have larger items like furniture you’d like to donate. Thank you!

Our May selection is A History of the World in Six Glasses by Tom Standage. This book is a survey of world history, as reflected through six of the most popular drinks of all time: beer, wine, spirits, coffee, tea, and Coca-Cola.

Our meeting is on May 12, at 6:00 PM, in Henslee Hall. Please bring with you what you would like to eat and drink. If you have any questions, please call Kathy Gray at 423-379-0091, or by email.

For more information about May's book selection (and selections for the coming months) go HERE.

Mission Trip Registration for 2022 is finally open! We are heading to NASHVILLE! Please register by Monday, May 16 if you plan to attend. Sinead needs to get a headcount and determine the best ways of finalizing our trip. As a reminder, youth must be 12 AND in 6th grade to attend this trip. If you have any questions, please reach out! Complete one form per person registering.

Youth Form: https://forms.gle/F9MrM3ysbwPR371e8

Adult Form (currently out of high school or older): https://forms.gle/m3tMkqRPRkWa7rVr9

Mark Your Calendars Now for Vacation Bible School! The theme this year is "KIDS LIKE ME" - Bible stories of amazing kids doing amazing things!"

Vacation Bible School will be held this summer, July 11-15, from 9:00-12:00 every day except Friday when it will end at 11:00. Put this on your calendar now so you do not sign up for any other camps and your children can attend this fun week of fellowship and learning.

The Cash in the Plate for Sunday, April 24 will go to Episcopal Relief & Development - Ukrainian Relief

You can make an online cash plate gift to the cash in the plate on the Good Sam online giving page. There is an option on the giving page to give to the "Cash in Plate". As always, you may also send a check to Good Samaritan. (Please designate that it is for "ERD-Ukraine" in the memo line).