Nurture & Connection

Hospitality Team

“Recognizing that it is a God-given priority to welcome the strangers in our midst; We are called to offer our best with a happy heart; So as to provide nourishment for the journey."

This is the mission of the Hospitality Team as we attempt to welcome all who walk through our doors in a way that represents the abundance which God offers us through Jesus Christ.

Over 45 volunteers serve the congregation at coffee hour, providing cookies, serving coffee and doing the dishes afterwards. The entire congregation is encouraged to consider hospitality as part of their Christian calling as we greet one another. If you would like to help with this ministry please contact the church office.

Women’s Quarterly Gatherings

These are quarterly gatherings of women for fellowship and renewal. Our time together is spent listening to one woman from the congregation share her spiritual journey followed by time for reflection and sharing in small groups. This is a great opportunity for fellowship with other Christian women. We meet in the Youth Building from 9:00-11:00. Childcare is provided if needed.

Men’s and Women’s Retreats

Retreats offer participants an opportunity to get away, even if only for a few hours, to be quiet and listen to God.

Men’s and women’s retreats are scheduled each year. Generally they begin with dinner on Friday and last through Saturday afternoon. Formats vary. Some are mostly quiet. Others feature discussion. Always the purpose is the same: to renew and strengthen faith in Jesus Christ.

Group Life

Small groups (sometimes called covenant groups) have been shown to be an important influence in supporting people in their faith in Jesus Christ.

Small groups may vary in what they choose to study, but they have certain characteristics in common. They feature prayer, study, service, sharing and fun. As group members become better acquainted, trust grows and every member finds support for his or her life in Christ.

Good Shepherd is a church of small groups, and there are many group opportunities. Even ministry teams function as small groups. For more information, contact the church office.

Cursillo

The three-day Cursillo experience helps people discover and achieve their personal calling as a follower of Christ. Cusillo is an in-depth study of the sacramentally-oriented Episcopal Church and living the Christian faith. It is a time of discovery, especially in the area of Christian community, support and the great love and joy that God has for each of us.

Any baptized Christian, 21 or older, may attend Cursillo. An application is completed and given to a friend who has been to Cursillo and will serve as a lay sponsor and help prepare the applicant for the experience. Contact the church office for more information.

Good Shepherd Book Club

The GS Book Club meets in individual homes and each of the participants reports on a book they have read. Some people exchange books. We have a potluck luncheon after our book discussions each month as well. We build a monthly biblography and share it at year's end. We usually meet at 10:00 am on the 4th Thursday of each month at a member’s home.   

On occasion we will have a guest speaker join us on topics of interest to the book club members. All discussion groups are open to any one in our church community.

Women's Celebration

On the Saturday before Mother's Day from 9:00-11:00 we gather with our mothers, grandmothers, daughters and friends to honor women everywhere.

If you don't have family in the area we encourage you to adopt one for the morning and join us for great food, fellowship, and a wonderful program.

Programs in the past have included Tapestry Theatre, The Slob Sisters, and Karen Howell -- author of Chocolate for a Mother's Heart.