Who We Are - Church of the Good Shepherd

We love what we do

Meet the team

We are a joyful neighborhood church that loves to throw open the doors and invite the world in for a meal or a party. We are strongly rooted in Norfolk, but we’re not homebodies. Like the city itself, we are open and connected to the wider world.

We welcome newcomers and visitors from all walks of life and strive to be a community which nurtures and grows the lives of the faithful, wherever they may be on life’s journey

We care for one another in times of challenge and loss, and our prayer life is rooted in ancient traditions, yet alive with contemporary focus. Our worship services follow the patterns found in the Book of Common Prayer.

• MEET OUR VESTRY •

Priest in Charge

The Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Soltys

The Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Soltys was ordained at St. James Episcopal Cathedral in the city of Chicago, where she served as both Deacon and Curate. After she and her family moved to VA in 2017, Jacqueline served as a supply priest at Old Donation, then accepted the position of Assistant Rector at Grace Church in Yorktown, where she served for two years. She is the creator of a wide range of digital projects, including “The Questions Project,” which can be found at jsoltys.org.

The priesthood was a mid-career change after time spent in academia. Soltys has a PhD in Russian Language and Literature from Yale University. She taught in a variety of academic settings and worked as a simultaneous translator for NBC during the Reagan-Gorbachev Summit. Soltys also worked as Prestigious Fellowships Coordinator at Cornell University, where she coached applicants through the application process for the Rhodes and Marshall Scholarships.

Rev. Soltys has two adult children: one studies at Washington and Lee Law School; the other is pursuing a degree in fashion design at Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City. Soltys’s husband, Stuart Henderson, is a physicist. He is Director of Jefferson National Laboratory in Newport News.

• Email Jacqueline •

Ben Blanchard

Associate for Children & Youth Formation & acting Music Director

I’ve been on staff at Good Shepherd for 17 years. As of the fall 2021 my full time call is to create space and opportunities for children and youth that encourage them to explore who God is as well as participate in the life of an active faith community. When I’m not doing my thing on the corner of North Shore Road and Hampton Boulevard, I can be found creating mixed media art, finding treasures in thrift stores, and checking out food at hip spots around the globe and in my own backyard.

• Email Ben •

Mary Whitehouse

Parish Administrator

I am originally from Eureka, California and have resided in Virginia for 16 years, which is most definitely home. My husband of 30 years was born and raised in Alexandria, Virginia. We have two children and a son-in-law, all graduates of Liberty University in Lynchburg where they continue to work and live.

After Bob’s retirement from 30+ years of active duty service as a commissioned military officer in 2019, we made the decision to make Chesapeake our permanent home. In my spare time I love to quilt, craft and spend time with family and friends.

I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, taught preschool and first grade and have a passion for working with children, especially during Vacation Bible School. I’m an active member of our church in Chesapeake and served on the vestry as well as many other volunteer activities.

I’ve been at Good Shepherd for 3 years now!

• Email Mary •

Bob Suter

Facility Manager & Bookkeeper

Bob spent the last 14 years working full-time as a Church Business and Facilities Manager while also working as a consultant and bookkeeper for other small churches in his hometown of South Bend, Indiana.

In July 2020, Bob’s wife of 30 years, Lisa, accepted an elementary school principal position with the Virginia Beach schools, so they sold the house and moved 800 miles to the beach. Bob and Lisa have two sons: Riley, a medical student in Norfolk, and Ryan, who lives and works in Durham, NC. Lisa’s father – a retired Lutheran pastor – lives in Virginia Beach. Being so close to all three has made living and working in the area very rewarding.

• Email Bob •

Coming Soon

Music Director

Bio coming soon.

• View Job Description •

An Episcopal Parish

The Episcopal Church welcomes all who worship Jesus Christ, in 111 dioceses and regional areas in 17 nations. The Episcopal Church is a member province of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The mission of the church, as stated in the Book of Common Prayer’s catechism (p. 855), is “to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.”