UPCOMING EVENTS
Practicing Mindfulness
Sep 28, from 9AM-12PM
Come to “Practicing Mindfulness,” a two-hour, Saturday morning workshop with physician, renowned therapist and UT Vols athletic department consultant, Dr. Clifton Tennison. Find out exactly how and why mindfulness practice works, and more important, how it can work for you as a practical daily tool to reduce stress, improve productivity and focus, strengthen relationships, and faith practice, and enhance health and well-being. This event is open to all. For more information, click here.
COS Meal Volunteers Needed
The Congregational Care Team invites all who are interested in providing meals for COS friends and members in need to join the Meals Team. We are currently looking for volunteers who can prepare and/or deliver meals on an as-needed basis. Please email Kaylen Mallard if you are interested in volunteering.
COS Loss Support Group
September 15 after church
The COS Loss Support Group will meet following the Worship service this Sunday. The group is open to anyone and everyone at COS who has experienced loss in some significant way. No matter who you are, how old you are, what you look like, how you self-identify, all are welcome to attend. If you have experienced any loss -- a job, pet, relationship for example – you are welcome to attend this facilitated support group. If you have questions, please contact Ceil Sheahan.
TN Interfaith Power and Light Fundraiser
October 6 at 6PM
Join us at Church of the Good Shepherd for the Bountiful Bowl Dinner, a vegetarian/vegan dinner served in a handmade “Earth bowl” to keep. The speaker will be Rev. Chris Battle, urban farmer at Battlefield Farm & Gardens and lead Pastor of The Underground. The cost is $35 and reservations are required. Please plan to attend this fundraiser for Knoxville Branch, Tennessee interfaith Power & Light, a wonderful evening of good food, great information, and a one-of-a-kind hand-made "Earth" bowl to take home. For more information/reservations contact Jennifer.
COS Game Night
October 21 at 7PM
COS Game Night is back! Our next meeting will be Monday, October 21, 7 PM at the church. Bring your favorite game and join us. We will be playing both board games and card games. For more information, please contact Rhonda Melton.
Sunday Morning Adult Studies
Sundays at 9:30AM in Shalom House
The Bible Study Group is now reading the book of Ecclesiastes from the Old Testament, along with the companion book, “The Way of Solomon” by Rabbi Sami Shapiro. Other companion texts on Ecclesiastes by Rabbi Shapiro are “Ecclesiastes: Annotated & Explained” and “The Tao of Solomon.”
The Adult Discussion Group is discussing Joan Chittister’s new book: The Time Is Now – A Call to Uncommon Courage.
Great Smoky Mountains Salamander Ball
October 4 at 4:30-7:30PM at Zoo Knoxville
Have you ever marveled at the depth, breadth, and beauty of wildlife in Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Then we invite you to our ninth annual Great Smoky Mountains Salamander Ball, one of the region’s premier fundraising events. We invite you to dress as your favorite Smokies critter at this family-friendly masquerade and to eat, drink and be merry. All proceeds help DLIA support research and conservation in our most beloved Park! So come one, come all, to the Salamander Ball! This is a rain or shine event. Free parking. For lots more info, click here.
Women's Spirituality Group
Aug 20 and Every Third Tuesday - 6:30pm
This will be our first meeting of the year. All women are invited to join us for prayer, fellowship, and learning. We gather at 6 PM in the Shalom House for dinner and catch up (bring your own food) and the official "program" begins at 6:30, ending at 8:00. This month we'll determine topics of interest to explore throughout the year. Please join us!
The Bountiful Hearth
Every Sunday
On Sundays during the gardening season, the church's fireplace hearth will be ready to receive whatever extra garden bounty you wish to share. See you at the Hearth! Sponsored by the Conscious Consumers
PAST EVENTS
COS Music Jam
March 9 at 6-8PM
Come to the COS Music Jam! Informal, laid back, no expectations, except to come and listen, sing, play tunes. Bring an instrument; bring a friend; bring a couple of songs to share with copies of lead sheets or music. All are welcome regardless of ability; just need the willingness to participate and share the music!
Obed Point Hike
December 19
COS Outsiders hiked Obed Point Trail on March 29th. Ann Harvey was a wonderful guide, and all involved has a great time. Be on the lookout for the next hike!
Community Dinners
April & May
Community Dinners are back. These are a great way to get to know your fellow members and COS. Please consider attending a dinner where you have never been before to get to know someone new! Charts to sign up are on the table in the back of the church sanctuary.
Appalachian Fest IV
April 27 at 5:30 PM
A celebration of the beauty, culture, creativity, and cuisine of the Appalachian region and her people (us) – through music, poetry, stories, & good food.
Bring: yourself, friends, family, Appalachian style food (soup & beans can be vegan if you leave out ham hocks and such; corn bread can also be made vegan-wise). Admission is free!
Knoxville PrideFest & Pride Parade
June 22
Thanks to everyone who made posters, walked in the parade, and volunteered to staff our booth at PRIDEFEST 2019. It was a joyful day and a great way to express the extravagant welcome of COS and God’s Love toward all
Blue Christmas Worship
December 19
We hold this special evening prayer service every year as a refuge and comfort for those who find the holidays to be difficult due to their losses, hurts, or worries. This service also serves as a time during Advent for many of us to pause and be reminded of the spiritual dimensions of this season. Join us for a time of prayers, readings, and special music meant to remind us that God’s presence is for those who mourn and for those who struggle, and that God’s light still shines into every dark corner of our world.
Santa’s Workshop
12/8 - 9AM-12PM
COS kids will share a light breakfast, make gifts for their families, and get their picture taken with Santa! Parents---you get a morning off to shop or just rest. We will be taking donations to cover the cost of materials and as a fundraiser for the youth group. Suggested donation is $10 per child but give whatever you can...we want all our little elves to participate!
Hero's Journey with Harry Potter" Vacation Bible School
Sundays, June 9th, 16th, and 23rd from 5:45 until 8 PM
We are doing VBS a little differently this year...instead of gathering every evening for a week, we will gather on 3 consecutive Sunday evenings for VBS, then share some songs with the congregation during worship on the 4th Sunday. Dinner and childcare for 3 and under will be provided. And plan to attend worship on June 30th to hear the children sing!
Keeping Families Together Immigration Rally
June 28
Thanks to everyone who showed up at the keeping Families Together rally to support immigrant families in our community and protest policies like 287-G locally and the Trump Administration’s zero tolerance policy at the border. Your presence and your voice make a difference to our neighbors!
COS Youth Mission/Service Immersion Trip
July 7 - 12
Asheville Youth Mission gives young people an opportunity to explore the hidden needs and struggles of those who are living on the margins within and around a beautiful tourist town. Groups work with a variety of agencies working with those who are homeless, in poverty, or food insecure, both in urban and rural settings.
COS Stewardship Event: Biblical Discoveries Across Jordan
October 14
Dr. Gerald Mattingly, renowned biblical scholar and archaeologist, will bring the biblical history of Jordan to life in a vivid & engaging lecture. Our visit includes time in his lab and an opportunity to explore the University Biblical Antiquities Museum.
MLK Memorial March
January 21
Thanks to everyone who represented COS over the MLK weekend – at the MLK Community Forum on Friday, the Women’s March on Saturday, inside giant puppets (made by the Collins family!) and in the streets at the MLK March on a COLD Monday (over 20 COS’ers at last count), at the Jobs with Justice banquet on Monday night, and in other settings as well! Your presence is a faithful witness for social justice!