A Message

The wheel of the church year has turned. We have entered the season of Advent, beginning our journey once again. Advent is a season of preparation, watching and waiting for the birth of Christ and the Feast of Christmas. For Episcopalians, Christmas is not just one day, but the twelve days from December 25 to Epiphany (hence the carol).  

Even now we at the Church of the Good Shepherd are in a special time of preparing and waiting, as the search for a new rector begins. But that doesn’t mean that our church life is on hold – far from it. We will be hosting homeless families in the Family Promise program during the Christmas season; we will be delivering food to hungry people; we will be helping children in foster care to experience a festive Christmas; all our work and worship goes on. 

Advent means coming or arriving. Like the wedding party awaits the bride and groom, we as a Christian community await the coming of God into our midst. Christ was born in Bethlehem 2000 years ago, yet He is also born in our hearts each year. 

 This is the gift of hope: that even in the darkest of times, even in hardest moments, Christ comes. Love is born. Let us strive to live out this message now and always by loving our neighbor as ourselves and thereby loving God.  

Rev. Rick

For seekers: If you are searching for a loving, accepting, active church home, please, “Come and see.”