Our Ministries
We have many different ministries at our parish. You can read about them below.
We have many different ministries at our parish. You can read about them below.
Sending money through trusted and experienced organizations is probably the best way for the individual to contribute to international disaster relief.
The Sharing Cabinet on the front porch of the church was an outgrowth of our Wednesday Free Lunch. The cabinet is stocked once-a-week with non-perishable items that anyone from the community in need of food can take.
There are many ways for lay people to participate in services at Good Shepherd. Training for the ministries is provided by experienced lay members.
The digital ministries focus on disseminating information about the parish through social media. Additionally, we have a livestream of each Sunday's service and a weekly virtual newsletter.
The Creation Justice ministry helps educate the parish and broader community on issues of sustainability and environmental justice. This ministry includes leading groups on tours of our region’s extractive economy, performing energy audits on surrounding homes and churches, assessing our parish’s energy efficiency, and looking into renewable energy sources for our physical plant.
The weekly Wednesday Free lunch, begun some twenty years ago, was suspended during the pandemic. In October 2023, we collaborated with United Campus Ministry Center in returning to offer that meal once-a-month on a trial basis during the Fall Semester. As in the past, the meal is open to everyone in the community without cost. There are vegetarian/vegan options.
United Campus Ministry engages the Ohio University and Athens communities in spiritual growth, community service, and work for justice, guided by socially progressive and interfaith values. We provide a free, community lunch on 2nd-4th Wednesdays from 12-1:30 pm and community dinner most Thursdays from 5-6:30 pm. We also offer a free Saturday meal. All are welcome and invited to eat on-site or to get meals to take away with you.
The Prayer Shawl group meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at IHOP. We meet for a light breakfast and fellowship and do a little knitting or crochet on our work. We make shawls, lap robes, baby blankets, scarves, mini shawls, and other items. They are blessed and given out to those who need comfort or for celebrations and to assisted living facilities around Christmas time.
The Altar Guild members prepare for all services held at the Church of the Good Shepherd. Members clean the Altar, care for sacred vessels and linens, deal with flowers and ensure everything needed for a service is available.
Food & Fellowship (formerly Coffee Hour) after the Sunday morning service provides a time to socialize. It is a chance to meet new friends and catch up with old friends. A light snack and coffee is provided by volunteers in the Undercroft.