Reaching Out - Church of the Good Shepherd

Outreach with Good Shepherd

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.

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 our hungry neighbors 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 around Norfolk. Throughout the year we collect needed items, such as shoes and coats, for distribution at Thanksgiving. We dedicate 100% of the funds raised 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.

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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

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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