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Adult Ministry

Our path towards God offers a constant invitation to let God make us into a new creation. Being Christian goes beyond Sunday worship and involves exploration of ourselves, others and the world that we inhabit. Through formation we develop habits of living, study and prayer. When regularly and faithfully participating in these patterns, our faith begins to “inhabit” our being in ways that transform us, as well as shape our actions. We craft our program of Christian formation for spiritual growth at every age and for every situation, nurturing these dispositions in ways that allow us to continue deepening our lives in and with Christ.

 

Please contact Jessica Riels for more information.

WEEKLY FORMATION OFFERINGS

MEN’S BIBLE AND BREW

Mondays | 6:30p

We meet virtually and in person on Mondays in the Vestry Room on the Windsor campus. We study the Bible by looking to its historical context, welcoming questions, and reading scholars from a variety of perspectives. We are a multi-generational group with diverse opinions and experiences, and we meet in an atmosphere that cultivates strong friendships and spiritual growth. Meets year round. For more information, please contact the Rev. Laurence Wainwright-MaksThose new to the group are welcome to join at any time.

TRANSITIONS BIBLE STUDY

Tuesdays | 1:30p

This Bible Study is for all women—those new to being empty nesters, retirement, or any other period of transition in life. Together we read different books of the Bible, explore the books’ meaning at the time they were written and how the stories speak to our lives today. Some of us are new to Good Shepherd and others are long-time members, and we are glad to get to know each other and to have companions on the journey. Join us on Tuesdays on our Windsor Campus, Media Room. For more information, please contact Suzanne WolfromThose new to the group are welcome to join at any time.

MOM’S BIBLE STUDY

Tuesdays | 9:30a

We gather in person weekly on our Windsor campus to support one another in the trials and joys of motherhood. We select books to read and discuss through a spiritual lens. The group is comprised of moms of all ages, with a particular emphasis on those with small children at home. Nursery care is provided. For more information, please contact Jessica RielsThose new to the group are welcome to join at any time.

WEDNESDAYS ON WINDSOR

Wednesdays | 5:00-7:00p Dinner: 5:00-7:00p, adult formation: 6:30p

Join us for Wednesdays on Windsor, a relaxed and engaging evening of food, fellowship and formation on our Windsor campus. A delicious chef-prepared dinner is served from 5:00p-7:00p in the Parish Life Center (PLC). Many parishioners make this part of their weekly routine – enjoy dinner at church on Wednesdays, connect with old friends and meet new friends too. This time is designed so that you can have dinner before or after many other offerings – choir practice, adult formation, children’s formation, to name a few. Each Wednesday during the program year, we offer an adult formation program beginning at 6:30p in the PLC.  For more information, please contact Jessica RielsThose new to the group are welcome to join at any time.

THURSDAY FORUM AND BIBLE STUDY

Thursdays | 10:00a

This group of men and women meets in person and online for a lively and intellectual discussion of scripture and faith. We rotate between studying the lessons for the upcoming Sunday and diving deep into a book of the Bible. It is a blessing to have the opportunity to talk about God and life as we learn more about the Bible. Feel free to join us! For more information, please contact the Rev. Terry GleesonThose new to the group are welcome to join at any time.

WOMEN ON THE JOURNEY

Thursdays | 11:00a

Women on the Journey meets in person and online for a time of spiritual connection, mutual support, study and prayer. Members find not only meaning and guidance for their own spiritual journeys but also become companions to one another on the journey of faith to which Christ beckons. Join us on Thursdays on our Windsor Campus, Media Room. For more information or for a link to join, please contact the Rev. Paige Alvarez HanksThose new to the group are welcome to join at any time.

EDUCATION FOR MINISTRY (EFM)

Thursdays | 6:30p

Interested in exploring and nurturing your faith? If so, consider joining Good Shepherd’s EfM group. Education for Ministry is an excellent course for the study of and reflection on the basics and depths of Christian faith. Good Shepherd’s mentored EfM group studies the breadth of Christian tradition and weaves those studies into theological conversations informed by participants’ experience of the world. The development of adult discipleship and an informed and reflective laity lies at the heart of EfM’s thought-provoking curriculum which models the four pillars of seminary coursework: Hebrew Scripture; Christian Scripture; church history; theology and ethics. Good Shepherd’s EfM group meets weekly on Thursday evenings. For more information, please contact mentors Bill Davies or Susan HarrisThis group requires a commitment of one year at a time, and enrollment in the group is open at the beginning of each fall.

SUNDAY FORMATION OFFERINGS

LECTIONARY REFLECTION GROUP

Sundays | 9:00a online

Experience Sunday worship in a new way as you learn from your fellow parishioners in a time of virtual study and reflection of the readings appointed for that day. We meet at 9:00a – 9:45a, concluding in time to make it to in-person worship if you desire. This is also a wonderful option for those not attending in person, giving you a chance to stay in touch with fellow parishioners and maintain a sense of community in worship and study. Meets year round. For more information or a link to join, please contact Carol Pierce-DavisThose new to the group are welcome to join at any time.

LECTIONARY REFLECTION AT THE HILL

Sundays | 9:00a

We meet at the Hill at 9:00a before the 10:30a worship services for a time of fellowship and study. We cover seasonal topics, and our discussion is lively and interesting. While we chew on the Word, we also enjoy a little bite to eat. For more information, please contact Will JonesThose new to the group are welcome to join at any time.

CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER

Contemplative prayer, a form of Christian meditation, aims to open practitioners to the presence of God who dwells with us always. The tone of this prayer is peace, stillness, and quiet. Contemplative prayer seeks a personal encounter with God through silence and is powerful when practiced with others. We welcome all, regardless of previous experience in silent prayer or contemplative practices. For more information, please contact D’Arcy RandallThose new to the group are welcome to join at any time.

ADULT CONFIRMATION

Confirmation is the sacramental rite in which candidates express a mature commitment to Christ and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop. This sacrament is a public reaffirmation of the promises made at the candidate’s baptism. We offer adult confirmation once or twice a year on a bishop’s visit. Prior to the bishop’s visit, we will offer classes to explore different aspects of living a mature life in Christ and in the church. Those who have already been confirmed in the Episcopal Church may choose to reaffirm their confirmation and those who have been confirmed in certain other traditions may choose to be received by a bishop. For more information, please contact the Rev. Terry Gleeson.

ADVENT AND LENTEN QUIET DAYS

Retreats and quiet days are very old traditions in Christianity. “Silence is the language of God” and when we take time to be silent, we have opportunity to listen and to hear God speak to us. Good Shepherd offers quiet days during both Advent and Lent. For more information, please contact Elizabeth Ann Gates.

GOOD SHEPHERD YOUNG ADULTS

Our young adults group fosters community and connection among those in the congregation in their 20s and 30s. We gather around town for fellowship and fun. In the process, we become friends and companions on our Christian journey. We welcome all in their 20s and 30s to join us. For more information, please contact the Rev. Laurence Wainwright-Maks.

RACIAL HEALING MINISTRY

Good Shepherd’s lay-led racial healing ministry offers educational resources; establishes and maintains community connections and relationships; and participates in diocesan efforts so that, in the words of Good Shepherd’s mission, “In the fullness of time, all people will find joyful union with God and with one another, being fully known and fully loved.” The ministry seeks to provide an entry point for any in the parish seeking to learn more about the history of race and its impact on our relationship with God and others, both in the church and in our community, and to prepare those who are called to engage in racial healing discussions and activities. For more information, including ways that you can participate in the ministry, please contact Paul Sarahan.

ALPHA

Alpha is an 11-week course that explores questions of faith and life. The sessions include discussions of the basics of Christian faith and can serve as an entry point for those new to Christianity or those seeking to deepen their faith. For more information or to express interest in joining, contact Mark Warner.

COMMUNITY BUILDING MINISTRY GROUPS

WOMEN’S BOOK CLUB

Women’s Book Club is an intergenerational group that meets online at 6:00p on the second Tuesday of the month for lively conversation while discussing books through the lens of a shared spiritual journey. For more information, a list of upcoming books and a link to join the meeting, please contact Linda Gorzycki.

MEN’S COOKING TEAM

The men’s cooking team prepares food for events at both campuses. In the process, participants get to know each other and enjoy a good time. For more information, please contact Fred Weber or Will Holford.

GREETERS

Greeters provide a welcoming church experience before and after worship services, greeting and assisting parishioners, new members and visitors. The welcome and warmth shown by greeters reflects God’s love for everyone. Greeters are often the first people encountered by newcomers and regular attendees alike, and we rely on greeters to help create a positive worship experience for the congregation. Please join our welcome team for either the 9:15a or 10:30a services on our Windsor campus. For more information, please contact Kathy Jolink.

SHEPHERD CIRCLES

Shepherd Circles provide opportunities for personal connections within our growing parish community. Join a small group, depending on life stages and interest, and build community that is curious and growing together. For more information, please contact Elizabeth Coffin.

GOOD SHEPHERD SUPPER CLUB

Our parish is growing! How do we connect with each other outside our larger church-wide services and events? Introducing… Good Shepherd Supper Club! This year, our guiding them is ‘Reaching Beyond Ourselves’, so whether you’re reaching across the pew or reaching across the table to pass the butter, let’s take the next step—and have dinner! Supper Club is about making new friends and getting better acquainted with the people you see at church on Sundays. The secret sauce is in the simple process of breaking bread with folks you may otherwise never get to know. To sign up for a Supper Club please click here.


St. Anne's Guild

St. Anne’s Guild is a women’s organization dedicated to social, intellectual, and spiritual enrichment achieved through monthly fellowship and programs. The Guild meets at 10:00a in the Parish Life Center on the Windsor campus the 4th Tuesday of the month from September to May. Our meetings start with a guest speaker and conclude with light snacks. Other events include a celebration of St. Anne’s Day with a service and catered lunch, Valentine Game Day (a fundraiser for charity), an end of program year luncheon. All women of the parish are invited to join.  For more information, please contact Renee Myrick.

WOMEN’S RETREAT

The annual Good Shepherd Women’s Retreat serves to support and connect women in the parish. This intergenerational weekend event is attended by 75-100 women each year and encourages spiritual nourishment, relaxation, fellowship and healing. Save the date – Friday, February 23, 2024 to Sunday, February 25, 2024 at Balcones Springs in Marble Falls, Texas! For more information, please contact Jessica Riels.

NEWCOMERS

At Good Shepherd, we welcome all those who are new to our parish: those who are new to Christianity; those who are new to The Episcopal Church; and those who are new to Good Shepherd. We strive to nurture every member of our community from joining to belonging. We seek to support everyone’s sense of belonging in this remarkable place, that everyone would be fully known and fully loved. We offer newcomer welcome events throughout the year, and we rely on parishioner volunteers and our newcomer committee to make this welcome possible. For more information, please contact Kathy Jolink.

GOOD SHEPHERD FARMERS MARKET

“Shop local!” every Saturday from 9:00a to 1:00p on Good Shepherd’s Windsor campus. Our seasonal farmers market invites local farmers and vendors to our campus to provide some of your favorite fresh produce, eggs, farmed flowers, fresh baked breads & pastries, breakfast tacos and live music. Guests who come to the market have a chance to interact with vendors, staff and volunteers, as well as our Tarrytown neighbors, and to purchase local goods in an atmosphere that fosters meaningful relationships with one another. The Good Shepherd Farmers Market relies on its committee of volunteers to work alongside the market manager to help carry out the market’s mission, make decisions related to the market and ensure the market’s success. Additional volunteers are needed for 2-hour shifts on Saturdays to welcome visitors at the information tent and to assist with operations as needed. Please consider volunteering by joining the committee or by signing up for some shifts. Another way to support the market is to spread the word and regularly drop by each week to support our local vendors. For more information, please contact the market coordinator. To volunteer click here.