Outreach Ministries
Good Shepherd’s 2022 - 2025 Strategic Plan includes a goal to Expand Outreach Ministry; that is, deepen our congregational involvement in loving and serving our neighbors, and facilitate financial support for our outreach initiatives.
Good Shepherd participates in this program, which focuses on church, mental health and building community partnerships through Duke Divinity School. Focus areas include trauma and resiliency, loneliness and belonging, and education and awareness. We have provided comfort bags and other items for children in foster care, hosted community educational events on substance misuse and suicide awareness/prevention and partnered with other local churches to offer community services of hope and consolation. Learn more
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training - January 2022 - sponsored by RHC
The Haven of Transylvania County operates an 18-bed overnight crisis shelter for homeless adults, as well as The Haven Family House, a five-bedroom shelter for families. The organization assists clients with obtaining long-term or permanent housing when possible. In addition to monetary donations, volunteers from Good Shepherd provide weekend meals for The Haven several times per year. Learn more
Living Waters Lutheran Church is a developing ELCA ministry in the NC Synod. Located on the Qualla Boundary also known as the Cherokee Indian Reservation, it is one of only twenty-three (23) American Indian/Alaska Native ELCA congregations and the only one East of the Mississippi River. Good Shepherd congregation members have been getting to know the people of Living Waters since the Fall of 2017 through small group visits and educational offerings. We have been blessed to partner with them on some of their ministry work, including their food and clothing pantry. Learn more about Good Shepherd’s partnership with Living Waters. Find Living Waters on Facebook. Learn about Good Shepherd’s land acknowledgement statement.
Loading vehicles with gifts for the Living Waters Christmas Shop
Sharing House (Transylvania Christian Ministries) provides crisis assistance for low-income neighbors in Transylvania County, including food, clothing, rent and utility assistance, household and camping equipment, and showers. The organization also empowers people who seek paths to financial self-reliance through programs such as “Wheels to Work” and the mentoring class, “Getting Ahead.” Good Shepherd collects tangible and monetary donations for Sharing House throughout the year and provides snacks for the Getting Ahead classes. Our annual Giving Tree supplies funds and gifts for the Christmas Blessings program. Visit their website.
Enjoying fellowship with Sharing House neighbors following a community meal
Reimagining Health Collaborative
Good Shepherd joined First United Methodist Church as a sponsoring congregation of WNC FireWood in April 2023. It is a ministry of volunteers working with congregational sponsors and local partners to provide firewood for home heating assistance to qualified residents of Transylvania County. Community partners include Sharing House, Bartlett Tree Experts and Stewards of Amazing Grace Farms. Learn more
Stacking logs at the woodlot
Motivated by the spirit of Christian faith, Rise & Shine enriches children, empowers parents and encourages racial harmony. Rise & Shine’s year-round programs provide educational tools, instruction and confidence to under-resourced youth to break the cycle of generational poverty. Each scholar learns “You Matter,” “We Believe in You,” “Dream Big.” A volunteer team from LCGS regularly tutors Rise & Shine scholars. Learn more
Living Waters Lutheran Church Cherokee, NC
Good Shepherd participates in Bread for the World’s Offering of Letters Campaign each year when we write letters to our congressional representative(s), urging them to support various nutrition programs. Learn more
Supporting Sharing House day of service
Packing personal care kits for LWR
A small but very dedicated group of congregation members meets weekly to make quilts that are shipped to locations in need around the world by Lutheran World Relief. During Lent, Good Shepherd members and friends donate items needed to make personal care kits and help to assemble the kits on Palm Sunday. The quilts and kits are given to people who have been affected by natural disasters and displacement due to violence. Learn more
Lutheran World Relief
ELCA Missionary Support
The Rev. Kristin Engstrom Zambia
Kristin serves as a facilitator for leadership development and capacity building in Zambia in southern Africa. She is called to walk with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zambia, and in particular with pastors and lay leaders, as together they work to strengthen the church and grown in congregational and community leadership. Learn more about Kristen and visit her blog.
The Rev. Stephen Deal & Marta Giron Central America
Stephen serves as Global Mission regional representative in Central America, where he works closely with the leadership of companion churches to identify ways for ELCA synods, congregations and members to accompany their holistic ministry around the poor, the vulnerable and the excluded. Learn more about Stephen.
Lutheran Disaster Response
Good Shepherd collects donations throughout the year as needed to assist victims of natural and manmade disasters. Learn more
ELCA World Hunger
LCGS supports ELCA World Hunger with various fundraisers throughout each year, including our Giving Tree in November and December. The work of this amazing program focuses on long-term sustainable solutions that address the root causes of hunger and poverty, all in the spirit and practice of accompaniment. Learn more