Church of the Good Shepherd, Vancouver, Washington

home • mission • newsletter • calendar • ministry schedule • sermons • directions

Mission & Outreach

“Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?” Each time we celebrate Holy Baptism, we answer this question with a promise, “I will with God's help.”

The mission of Church of the Good Shepherd is to fulfill this promise. We do so in two ways: First, we proclaim through witnessing, preaching and teaching, the saving love of God in Christ. Second, we reach out with Christ's love to help relieve the suffering of those who are in need.

Good Shepherd tithes its income for Outreach Ministry. Each year 10% of the money offered to the parish for its general fund is designated for outreach purposes. In 2006 this amounted to approximately $69,000. Much of this money is given for the direct relief of people in Clark County who are in need. The Outreach Worker is responsible for the dispersal of funds to those who come to the parish for help. She offers counsel and referrals and is able to provide financial assistance when that is the need. In addition to serving individuals and families in Clark County, the Outreach Ministry also provides grants to a number of organization in the community, such as the YWCA’s Domestic Violence programs, Open House Ministries, and NW Harvest South food bank. Outreach also provides a monthly grant to the Church Divinity School of the Pacific. The Outreach Committee also sponsors a back to school drive, providing back packs and school supplies to local area schools, and a Christmas Giving Tree.

Diocese of Olympia
Good Shepherd is a parish of the Diocese of Olympia, the Episcopal Church in Western Washington. Over 100 congregations, and more than 35,000 Episcopalians make up the Diocese of Olympia. The congregations of the Diocese have a common mission to make Christ known in this area. We serve together under the Right Reverend Vincent Warner, our bishop and leader. There are five Episcopal congregations in Clark County. All are connected by worship according to the Book of Common Prayer. At the same time, each is distinctive. It is likely that everyone drawn to the Episcopal Church will find in one of the congregations, a good fit. The other Clark County Episcopal Churches are Church of the Holy Spirit, Battleground; All Saint's and St. Luke's, Vancouver; and St. Anne's, Washougal.

United Thank Offering
For many years, Episcopalians have been giving thanks to God for the blessings in their lives by giving to the United Thank Offering. UTO money has been sent around the world to help people in trouble. Participants keep a blue box in their kitchen window sill or in some other conspicuous place. During the day, as they experience God's blessings, they place a coin in the box. Twice a year, they bring what they have offered to church and their offerings are combined with those of Episcopalians from around the world and used for special mission projects. Blue boxes are available at the Church.

Food Ingathering
On the first Sunday of each month, Good Shepherd parishioners bring food or money to church to offer for the relief of the hungry in Clark County. What is offered goes to Northwest Harvest South, an agency that helps supply local food banks. Northwest Harvest South was founded by Good Shepherd members. It has grown to be a substantial resource for Clark and Skamania counties in SW Washington.

Ellsworth School Project
Each week, more than 20 volunteers from Good Shepherd serve as tutors at Ellsworth School. They work one on one with children helping them with reading and math. Other Good Shepherd parishioners offer help in the schools their children attend, or in the schools in their neighborhood. Contact the church for more information about this ministry.

Blood Drives
Donating blood is a regular discipline for many Good Shepherd members. Blood drives are scheduled at the church at least three times a year.

Meals for the Homeless
Good Shepherd parishioners are active in providing meals for the homeless through the various shelters in our community. A team from Good Shepherd helps prepare a meal every month at Share House. Groups and individuals share food with the various shelters throughout the year.

Email Church Office • 805 SE Ellsworth Rd. • Vancouver, WA 98664 • 360-892-7770

home • mission • newsletter • calendar • ministry schedule • sermons • directions
welcome sunday am parish life contact us	Mission & Outreach “Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?” Each time we celebrate Holy Baptism, we answer this question with a promise, “I will with God's help.” The mission of Church of the Good Shepherd is to fulfill this promise. We do so in two ways: First, we proclaim through witnessing, preaching and teaching, the saving love of God in Christ. Second, we reach out with Christ's love to help relieve the suffering of those who are in need. Good Shepherd tithes its income for Outreach Ministry. Each year 10% of the money offered to the parish for its general fund is designated for outreach purposes. In 2006 this amounted to approximately $69,000. Much of this money is given for the direct relief of people in Clark County who are in need. The Outreach Worker is responsible for the dispersal of funds to those who come to the parish for help. She offers counsel and referrals and is able to provide financial assistance when that is the need. In addition to serving individuals and families in Clark County, the Outreach Ministry also provides grants to a number of organization in the community, such as the YWCA’s Domestic Violence programs, Open House Ministries, and NW Harvest South food bank. Outreach also provides a monthly grant to the Church Divinity School of the Pacific. The Outreach Committee also sponsors a back to school drive, providing back packs and school supplies to local area schools, and a Christmas Giving Tree. Diocese of Olympia Good Shepherd is a parish of the Diocese of Olympia, the Episcopal Church in Western Washington. Over 100 congregations, and more than 35,000 Episcopalians make up the Diocese of Olympia. The congregations of the Diocese have a common mission to make Christ known in this area. We serve together under the Right Reverend Vincent Warner, our bishop and leader. There are five Episcopal congregations in Clark County. All are connected by worship according to the Book of Common Prayer. At the same time, each is distinctive. It is likely that everyone drawn to the Episcopal Church will find in one of the congregations, a good fit. The other Clark County Episcopal Churches are Church of the Holy Spirit, Battleground; All Saint's and St. Luke's, Vancouver; and St. Anne's, Washougal. United Thank Offering For many years, Episcopalians have been giving thanks to God for the blessings in their lives by giving to the United Thank Offering. UTO money has been sent around the world to help people in trouble. Participants keep a blue box in their kitchen window sill or in some other conspicuous place. During the day, as they experience God's blessings, they place a coin in the box. Twice a year, they bring what they have offered to church and their offerings are combined with those of Episcopalians from around the world and used for special mission projects. Blue boxes are available at the Church. Food Ingathering On the first Sunday of each month, Good Shepherd parishioners bring food or money to church to offer for the relief of the hungry in Clark County. What is offered goes to Northwest Harvest South, an agency that helps supply local food banks. Northwest Harvest South was founded by Good Shepherd members. It has grown to be a substantial resource for Clark and Skamania counties in SW Washington. Ellsworth School Project Each week, more than 20 volunteers from Good Shepherd serve as tutors at Ellsworth School. They work one on one with children helping them with reading and math. Other Good Shepherd parishioners offer help in the schools their children attend, or in the schools in their neighborhood. Contact the church for more information about this ministry. Blood Drives Donating blood is a regular discipline for many Good Shepherd members. Blood drives are scheduled at the church at least three times a year. Meals for the Homeless Good Shepherd parishioners are active in providing meals for the homeless through the various shelters in our community. A team from Good Shepherd helps prepare a meal every month at Share House. Groups and individuals share food with the various shelters throughout the year.






Email Church Office • 805 SE Ellsworth Rd. • Vancouver, WA 98664 • 360-892-7770