We have enjoyed the sense of community at Good Shepherd. Both our girls, Emma and Anna, have served as acolytes and lectors, and Kedron and Emma were confirmed here. In addition to worship, our family has appreciated the opportunity to volunteer during NEST. I look forward to serving Good Shepherd and having a positive impact on the church community as a member of the Vestry.

Our family has been attending Church of the Good Shepherd for over a year after having attended St. Paul’s for over 16 years. Last summer, we searched for a new church home that would help nurture our growth in Christ, and inspire and challenge us to lead a Godly life. We found that at Good Shepherd. The congregation has welcomed our family.

I wonder what we as a church can do to make our faith community stronger and show our love for our neighbors.

I am a lifelong Norfolk resident…at heart. After growing up in Virginia Beach, I spent four years in Blacksburg for college. Lauren (my high school sweetheart and fellow VB native) and I were married in 2015 while on a short stint in Atlanta for work. We have called Norfolk home for almost 10 years since then, choosing to start and grow our family here and loving every minute of it. You may recognize our three kids by the chaotic cuteness they bring to each service: Danny is 7, Mary Charles is 5, and Sue is 1. We have been at Church of the Good Shepherd for the past two years and have loved our time here. We were immediately won over by the way Good Shepherd invited children to play in the service, and the focus on the basics of scripture, community, and a big, loving God that welcomes all to his table. I am excited and honored for this opportunity to serve on the vestry. I look forward to playing a small part in leading Good Shepherd further into growth, life, and all that God has planned for our collective church home.

Good Shepherd has been a cornerstone in my life since my baptism here in the fall of 1964. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of serving in various roles, including confirmation class, premarital counseling, Assistant Sunday School Teacher, Vacation Bible School volunteer, usher, and member of the Building and Grounds committee. I’ve also been involved with the Men’s Group, served as a former Vestry member, and most recently painted the purple wall across from the library.In 1996, I married Elizabeth, and together we’ve raised five wonderful children: Eric, Peyton, Ross, Richard, and Charles. Good Shepherd has also been a key part of their lives.After a fulfilling 36-year career as a Virginia Harbor Pilot, guiding ships into Hampton Roads and Richmond, I recently retired. Now, I’m eager to deepen my involvement in our Church community and collaborate with the Vestry and congregation to continue supporting Good Shepherd’s mission.

I am a lifelong member of Good Shepherd, and as such I was baptized, confirmed, and married here. My grandparents moved just three houses from Good Shepherd in the 1930s; and with my granddaughter being baptized here a year and a half ago, that makes 5 generations of Garris family who have attended/worshiped at Good Shepherd. My professional career was in health administration, my last 30 years with Sentara Healthcare. In “retirment” besides my church duties, I manage some real estate properties, and serve on multiple non-profit boards. In addition, my wife and I like to travel and visit family as often as we can. 

I am a lifelong member of

I was born and raised in Virginia Beach but have been a proud Norfolk resident for the past 25 years. My wife Christy, daughters Mills and Eliza, son Hardy and I have been coming to Good Shepherd regularly for just over a year. Prior to that time, we had attended St. Paul’s in Downtown Norfolk for almost 20 years. All three kids were baptized there and the older two confirmed. I became involved with several outreach ministries, a weekly bible study, and Cursillo #159.

When we came to Good Shepherd, we were greeted warmly by so many and connected with some familiar faces. Since that time, we have continued to enjoy getting to know more of the congregation and are hoping to dive deeper and serve the Church in the best possible ways. It seems like such an exciting time in the life of Good Shepherd. I look forward to being a part of that momentum.

From early on, my life has revolved around family, community, and service—to students at NSU, to children and families served by the Kiwanis Club of Norfolk, the River Pointe community in Portsmouth where I live, and COGS. I have felt such gratitude for the kindness and generosity of the members here, especially for their support of NSU students in so many ways. My spiritual life has been deepened by the enriching Sunday sermons, my own solitary explorations, and most recently, the Contemplative Prayer Group that meets here weekly. I look forward to doing what I can to be an instrument of peace and to letting this little light of mine shine.