Expressing the compassionate love of Jesus for Good Shepherd parishioners in times of joy, sorrow, and distress.
Caring for One Another
Visitations/Deliveries
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The Pastoral Care Ministry provides a connection between our parish family and members who are homebound, ill or otherwise unable to attend church on a regular basis. While clergy are instrumental in providing Pastoral Care to parishioners, lay Pastoral Care Ministers are also available to offer comfort to parishioners in need. We are "a ministry of presence" and share in life's ups and downs by being with others in both their joy and their pain. We work with the following lay ministries to offer help and care, to listen, support, encourage, befriend and to be present.
The clergy are available to visit persons in the hospital, home or nursing home. Prior to surgery or in an emergency, please contact the church office (859-252-1744) so that the clergy will be aware of your situation. A clergyperson is available at all times when you are in need.
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Lay Pastoral Care Visits to Homebound/Shut-In:
Parishioners who are homebound or living in nursing homes or assisted living are visited on a monthly basis to offer fellowship and a connection to the church.Lay Pastoral Care Visits to the Sick:
Visits are made to parishioners on a short-term basis following an illness, surgery or injury to offer support and encouragement until they are able to return to worship services. These visits may be made to hospitals, rehab centers or the parishioners home. Usually these visits are done once each week until the person is well and able to return to church.Contact Jeri Green for more information.
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Eucharistic Visitors (EVs) are lay persons who take Holy Communion to parishioners who are ill or otherwise unable to attend services. EVs are an important expression of the Church as a community. They represent the Church to those they visit and carry the parish with them as a sign of the whole community's care, support and concern.
Contact Emily Badgett for more information.
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Sunday altar flower arrangements are divided into 4-6 smaller vases and delivered to parishioner’s homes and hospital rooms.
Contact Kristin Harrison for more information.
Preparation
“Behind the Scenes”
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Meal Ministry Team is to provide a meal for church members at two points in their lives: at the time of the birth of an immediate family member, and at the death of an immediate family member.
Contact Emily Badgett for more information.
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Cards are sent to parishioners in times of pain, sorrow and suffering as well as in times of joy and celebration. It is a small way to let others know they are loved and being thought of.
Contact Grace Moulder for more information.
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Compassion and the love of knitting/crocheting have been combined into a prayerful ministry and spiritual practice which reaches out to those in need of comfort and solace. Many blessings are prayed into every stitch. Most of our work is done at home but this group does meet once a month for fellowship and knitting together. The shawls that are completed are blessed at the Wednesday noonday healing service and delivered to parishioners in need of prayers and healing.
Contact Cathy Penberthy for more information.
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The Quilt ministry meets once a week to sew quilts for parishioners who are ill, baptized, etc.
Most of the women in this group had not made a quilt before joining! Some choose not to sew, but use their gifts to design quilt tops with pre-cut squares. There are many contributions non-quilters can make.
New members are always invited!
Contact Dale Rosine for more information.
Supporting One Another
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This is a ministry for expectant and postpartum families. The members of the guild walk alongside the expectant family during their pregnancy and postpartum transition, offering prayer and practical support if needed. There are 4 stages of support for your parenting journey.
Contact Patty Webb for more information.
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The funeral ministry helps guide families through the funeral process at church. We arrive early and do what we can to help the family feel comfortable. At funeral time, we escort them to the church. This ministry gives an opportunity in a very sad situation to help fellow parishioners.
Contact the front office for more information.
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The Wedding Guild helps guide couples through our church, helping with vendors, guiding them with a timeline, and ultimately watching them walk down the aisle.
Contact Erin Young for more information.
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The Daughters are a group of Christian women striving to fulfill the promises of our Baptismal Covenant through a personal Rule of Life which incorporates a Rule of Prayer and a Rule of Service. We pray daily for members of our parish and others who have made requests. We meet once a month to enjoy fellowship, to share in a program for spiritual growth, and to update our prayer list.
Support Groups
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Alcoholics Anonymous is an international fellowship of men and women who have had a drinking problem. There are no age or education requirements. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about his or her drinking problem. Learn more about AA HERE.
Wednesdays│6:30pm
Thursdays│7:00pm
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Al-Anon members are people, just like you, who are worried about someone with a drinking problem. Anyone who is interested may join.
Wednesdays│12:00pm
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Every third Friday at Noon, a group of folks who are caring for/living with a person with memory loss meet at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church (Library). The group is facilitated by Marie Smart, Dementia Care Specialist, who is recently retired from the UK Sanders-Brown Center on Aging. It is an informal gathering where individuals are encouraged to share their questions, frustrations, fears, griefs and “unbelievables” regarding life with a loved one with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia. We talk, listen, commiserate, laugh and sometimes cry together and always, support and encourage.
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Navigating life after the loss of a spouse. Join us for conversation in an atmosphere of love and mutual support once a month. If you would like to join this group, please reach out to Jan Hellebusch.
We also have a Small Group called the Solo Sisters who also are a group of widows who meet regularly.