Beloved Good Shepherd community,
Today I write to you not only as Rector’s Warden, but as vestry liaison for the Social Concerns committee. A theme that has consistently come up in conversations about the future of our parish is a commitment to the Anglo-Catholic tradition. Much of the discussion around this commitment focuses on worship—our liturgy is centered in a sacramental and incarnational viewpoint informed by the theological traditions of Anglo-Catholicism. However, another important element of the Anglo-Catholic tradition is social action and witness. The history of Anglo-Catholicism includes engagement with the broader community, and in particular ministry to the poor and marginalized. This is not a separate consideration, but rather flows from the same sacramental and incarnational way of viewing the world. Taking seriously the idea that God is in and among us, and that we are called to share in the communion of God, goes hand in hand with an inclusive vision of humanity.
One way that this aspect of the Anglo-Catholic tradition has manifested at Good Shepherd is in our commitment to welcome and hospitality. It is safe to say hospitality is a central part of the identity of Good Shepherd. This is reflected not only in the everyday welcoming of newcomers and guests for worship, coffee hour, and other church activities, but in the development of one of our central ministries: the Retreat House. The Retreat House ministry has allowed us to provide a haven for personal and group retreats for a variety of people and organizations, as well as host patients and family members traveling to the area for medical care. It has been a godsent resource for a family navigating the challenges of refugee status. One of our challenges going forward as a parish is creating and implementing a plan to further utilize this invaluable ministry asset.
Another way that we have worked to further live into Good Shepherd’s identity of hospitality is to refine our sick and homebound ministry, and mutual aid ministries more broadly. In the past few months, we have laid the groundwork for a more cohesive network of volunteers to help with meals, shopping, and transportation needs. If you or someone you know needs assistance, or if you would like to volunteer to help provide such assistance, please reach out to me directly.
I see an opportunity for Good Shepherd’s growth in not just welcoming those who come to us, but to more actively invite them in as well as venture out into the community as God’s hands and feet. As our congregation has grown in the last few years, so too has the desire to grow our ministries to the surrounding community. For example, in the last year our youth confirmands spearheaded cultivation of a relationship with one of the diocese’s ministries, the Clare Project street ministry in Kensington. There are avenues to deepen that relationship further. Social Concerns is also currently developing plans to expand our long-time support for the Ardmore Food Pantry (at our sister parish St. Mary’s) into a fuller partnership. And there are other ideas for greater community engagement being incubated in the Social Concerns committee.
Please prayerfully reflect on how Good Shepherd might continue to grow in its social ministry, and in particular prayerfully consider how you might contribute to our social ministries as we continue to grow.
In Christ,
Jason Crockett
Rector’s Warden
Vestry Liaison for Social Concerns