What We Do - Church of the Good Shepherd

We are creative beings

Let’s create a better world!

Church is not just for its members. As people of faith, we want to make a difference in the lives of the people we encounter every day—in our families, our neighborhoods, our workplaces, our city, our world.

As a church, our primary ongoing relationships are with the organizations below.

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Sewell’s Point Elementary School

Through the Norfolk Public Schools Faith-Based Partnership Program, Good Shepherd is growing relationships with the students and families of Sewell’s Point Elementary School. The school’s student body is over 90% military. Children often have one or more parents on deployment; families often relocate or are transferred within a year or two of enrollment. Good Shepherd volunteers visit classrooms regularly to read aloud to students and to help individuals with reading and math skills. They serve as “lunch buddies” for kids who need mentoring; they help with Field Day and Science Fair and Read Across America. Good Shepherd provides food and gift card thank yous to teachers and staff and adds to the principal’s discretionary fund.

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H.O.P.E. Foundation Feeding Ministry

Working with HOPE Foundation Ministries, we feed the homeless hungry at least 1x/month from May through November. We cook up a meal in our church kitchen, package it individually, and deliver it to 2-3 pickup stations throughout Norfolk. Throughout the year we collect needed items, such as shoes and coats, for distribution at Thanksgiving. We dedicate 100% of the monies we raise at our annual Gingerbread & Jazz Christmas event to HOPE Foundation. We have developed a strong relationship with HOPE’s founder, who has preached at Good Shepherd and visits periodically.

Blue Yellow Modern Corporate Presentation (1080 × 400 px) - 2

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Five Talents

Through the generous bequest of a member, we have been able to fund significant educational and relief efforts in South Sudan though Five Talents. The funds provide literacy and numeracy training, as well as coaching in basic business skills and microenterprise opportunities. In a part of the world that suffers from tremendous violence and poverty, with an estimated 90% illiteracy rate, Good Shepherd seeks to bring hope.

All God’s Children

Good Shepherd partners with the Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church to help provide a summer camp opportunity for children of incarcerated parents. Good Shepherd adopts a cabin each year, providing necessary gear and decorating the cabin for arrival.

Chanco Scholarships

Good Shepherd sponsors two campers each year at Camp Chanco in Spring Grove, VA.

American Red Cross

Good Shepherd hosts and participates in quarterly blood drives in cooperation with neighboring churches and the American Red Cross.

Open Doors, Open Hearts

Our building is part of our mission! We host AA meetings, two Girl Scout troops, Families to Families (a social network of families with deaf children), theater groups, especially UPAC (Underground Performing Arts Collective, a group for performing artists and designers from underrepresented, diverse populations), local civic groups…. We rent our spaces for events and fundraisers hosted by local interest groups and non-profits, such as CHKD, garden clubs, Junior League, etc. Our tenants include Loch-Meadow Kindergarten, Lee’s Friends (a cancer support non-profit), The Chas Foundation (a suicide awareness and prevention non-profit).

To find out more about our ministries or to get involved, please contact the church office. office@goodshepherdnorfolk.org

Our original artwork

Live Creatively!

New Windows Display: Advent 2025

What though, in solemn Silence, allMove round the dark terrestrial Ball?What tho' nor real Voice nor SoundAmid their radiant Orbs be found?In Reason's Ear they all rejoice,And utter forth a glorious Voice,For ever singing, as they shine,The Hand that made us is...

Poetry Contest 2025

The Church of the Good Shepherd launched our first ever poetry contest to wrap up our creative summer series, Food for Body and Soul! We invited members of our community, as well as the poetry world at large, writers of any or no religious affiliation, to participate....

One Morning in Spearfish, South Dakota by Marko Capoferri

Gather by Sara Ryan

a river takes the form of a snake. or a snake a river. somewhere north, a cypress grove grows in water, roots buried deep in sand. it is here where I wonder about a life. I wonder about crows and how objects gather velocity when...

New Window Display Entitled “The Rhythm of Life”

This year’s Creation windows were collaborative every step of the way. Using the Evangelism Grant monies Good Shepherd was awarded by the national Episcopal Church, the window project, themed “The Rhythm of Life,” drew in published poets, NSU drummers, church members...

New Window Display: The glory of God is a human being, fully alive

The story of Pentecost reassures us that God is never far away. God sends the Holy Spirit to comfort and guide us. God is with us, continually working in and through us to revitalize the world. The Holy Spirit calls us to learn and see new things about ourselves and...

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Check Out Our Upcoming Events

We are excited to offer a variety of opportunities to connect, worship, serve, and enjoy life together. Take a look at the calendar and come join us when you can!

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