WE’LL GET ‘EM ON THE NEXT HOLE

Happy Masters Week! The world is looking at Augusta!

I thought about writing another article this week on such subjects as the spirituality of golf, golf as a metaphor for life, or lessons golf has taught me about life. Although all of those themes are important, I was moved to share with you the most important lesson I have learned in golf that golf didn’t teach me!

Golf was meant to be a communal experience. It’s difficult to get a real number of attendees this week at the Masters, but tens of thousands of folks are redefining the word “communal!”

I have played hundreds of rounds of golf alone. I have thoroughly enjoyed those thin place moments of grace with our creator!

Yes, golf is a communal experience. For the last 25 years my dear friend Paul Simon and I have played hundreds of rounds socially and in various competitions. Since our golfing skills are aging (along with our bodies), we frequently appeal to the handicap committee for more shots. We tell them that our combined ages are 177 years!

The handicap committee always ignores us – sadly, golf, like life, is unfair!

Go with me to one of the first tournaments we entered many years ago. In the final round Paul and I turned the back nine two shots out of the lead. A birdie on the tenth got us to one shot away. We could feel the weight of the championship trophy in our hands! The eleventh hole is the most difficult on the course – we proved that by carding a nine – with a shot!

As I reached into the cup to get my ball, Paul was standing beside me and said these words that have imprinted on my brain ever since, “We’ll get ‘em on the next hole.” My frustration at making a mess of the eleventh hole just melted away. Paul was right. We had posted a score. That was that, but there was more golf to play.

I do believe that golf is a metaphor for life. I also believe that Mr. Simon’s words are a guidepost for an abundant life.

We’ll get ‘em on the next hole!

Joe+

EASTER EGGS!
In preparation for our children’s Easter egg hunt, we are asking parishioners to provide two dozen filled Easter eggs. Fill the eggs with trinkets or hard candy, but nothing that will melt. Please leave the eggs in the blue wagon in the foyer by April 15th. Please call or text Jinny for more information.

MAUNDY THURSDAY VIGIL OF SIGN UP
The Church will be open all night following the Maundy Thursday, April 17th, service until Good Friday morning, April 18th. Sit with Jesus before the altar.  This profound, meaningful time brings you into the mystery of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. You can sign up for 30-minute slots at bit.ly/4lgEZiA OR you can come anytime between 8 pm and 7 am.

COGS
Thanks to everyone for the ongoing support of our COGS outreach ministries. Our next COGS outreach will be on Saturday, April 19th, from 9:00 am until noon, at Cancer Support Services, 1369 Interstate Pkwy, Augusta, 30909.  CSS assists cancer patients with their financial and emotional needs during treatment, including lodging and transportation services, to facilitate healing and create better outcomes.  We will be volunteering in Lydia Lodging Center where men and women are offered free lodging while receiving outpatient cancer treatment.  Our team will clean the lodging center including the kitchen, sitting areas, bathrooms, as well as individual guest rooms.  Volunteers must be 16 years or older (attending with a parent) and able to do various household cleaning tasks.  Visit cancersupportservices.orgto learn more about the caring services offered to men, women, and children fighting cancer.

Thanks to Julie Andrew for her volunteer work at CSS and leading this effort.  Please let Julie know if you can participate in this ministry by texting or calling 770-757-0950. Please note, if you are sick on the 19th, or think you might be sick, we kindly ask that you do not volunteer.  What a meaningful time to serve at the end of Holy Week preparing for Easter!

BYLLESBY CENTER DEDICATION
The Byllesby Center dedication and celebration of New Ministry will be held on Friday, April 25, at 5:30pm.  Bishop Logue will officiate, and BBQ will be served on the lawn following the service.  All are invited! Please join the party and meet their fantastic ministry partners, volunteers, and people from the community.

YOM HASHOAH HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL PROGRAM
Adas Yeshurun Synagogue will host a Community-Wide Holocaust Memorial Program on Thursday, April 24th, at 6:45pm. Together, we will remember those who lost their lives during the Holocaust. This program will include candle lighting, prayers, and a meaningful address from a guest speaker. This is a wonderful opportunity for us all to reflect, honor the memory of the victims, and stand together in remembrance. All are welcome!

ENNEAGRAM DINNER
Discover Yourself & Support The Youth Pilgrimage! Join us for an Enneagram Dinner led by Katie Wynn of Dynamik Consulting —a night of fun, self-discovery, and great food—all while supporting the Youth Pilgrimage! We will share a delicious meal, explore Enneagram insights, and enjoy meaningful conversation that will help you better understand yourself and others. Whether you're an Enneagram expert or just curious, this event is perfect for all! Date: Saturday, May 3rd, 6:00 PM | Where:Good Shepherd Parish Hall | Cost: $35 per person | Tickets: Click Here

EASTER ALTAR FLOWERS
Contribute to the altar flowers at Easter by completing the form link. Make your gifts payable to Good Shepherd marked as Easter Flowers. Forms must be received by April 16th at NOON to appear in the Easter orders of service. You can write a check, pay through Realm, or with paypal.me/cogsaugusta.  If paying through Realm, go to: onrealm.org/goodshepherdaugusta/Give and select Easter Flowers.

CALLING ALL BABYSITTERS!!!
Summer is right around the corner, and what better reason to brush up on your skills! The American Red Cross offers a wonderful class specifically for babysitters, and I would love to be able to have a class here for our parish to take advantage of. The class will help your child between the ages of 11-15 gain the knowledge and skills to safely and responsibly care for infants and children. It covers basic childcare and first aid, pediatric CPR as well as choking. If you have children interested in this please email Lauren Hargrove at parishnurse@cogsaugusta.org.

EDS IS LOOKING FOR SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS
Episcopal Day School is looking for part-time substitute teachers. If you want to work with children, set your own schedule, and, as a bonus, get paid, this is a great opportunity for you! Training is required, but we will pay you to complete the training. If this has you excited about your future as a substitute teacher at Episcopal Day School, please contact Mrs. Nina Tomlin, Assistant to the Division Heads, at ntomlin@edsaugusta.com or call the main office at (706) 733-1192. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Head to the Shell Newsletter for details & to sign up for upcoming events.
For any questions, email mgwynn@goodshepherd-augusta.org.

Sunday, April 13th

10:00 am

Organist & Choirmaster, Elizabeth Gatter

Lay Readers, Bob Nesbit, Lynn Tyson, Yvonne Harrison, Cissy Bowden

Ushers,  TBD

Verger, Jean Chadwick

Altar Guild,  Team IV

Vestry Person of the Day, Coles Hull Doyle

 NO BREAKFAST OR CHRISTIAN FORMATION THIS WEEK. BOTH WILL RESUME APRIL 27th.

CHILDREN’S FORMATION: 

•  Three Year Olds: Level I Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Room 305

•  PK-K: Level I Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Room 306

•  1st-3rd Grades: Level II Catechesis  of the Good Shepherd, Room 304

•  4th and 5th Grades: Weaving God’s Promises, Room 302

STUDENT FORMATION: 

•  Rite-13: Lead by Jessica Perry and Taylor McCutcheon, Room 208

•  J2A: Lead by Katie Wynn and Brice Wright, Room 303

ADULT FORMATION: 

•  No Exploring Faith with Matt Matson: Meet in Room 209 at 9:45am

•  No Sawmill Theology with Ken Hardy: Meet in the Conference Room at 9:45am

•  No Rector's Forum: Meet in the Parish Hall at 9:45am

Back to the Bible Groups (for more info, go to goodshepherd-augusta.org/b2b)

• Sundays, 10 am & 4:30 pm (Bride's Room)
  • 4 pm at the home of Nancy Sutherland
• Tuesdays, 4 pm (Bride's Room)
• Wednesdays, 11 am (Bride's Room)
• Thursdays, 5:30 pm