The Church of the Good Shepherd Newcomer Program
We are blessed by your presence. Whoever you are and wherever you are on your journey of faith, you are welcome at the Church of the Good Shepherd. We believe that we all gather around God’s table for shared nourishment and community, and all are welcome to receive communion. We invite you to explore how Good Shepherd may become a place for you to know God in the sustaining power of community.
The Church of the Good Shepherd has a well-established Newcomer’s Committee that is here to welcome you and guide you through our church community. Committee members are easily identifiable by their green name tags. We are a resource for you. We introduce newcomers to fellow parishioners, give church tours and are available to answer any questions you may have about our programs and ministries. Throughout the year, we host a series of Newcomer Brunches. These events are held at the rectory and are a nice way for new families to meet fellow newcomers and church vestry and staff in a relaxed, informal setting.
As you enter the church please visit the Newcomer’s Information Table located in the upper Narthex. Please sign-in and help yourself to an information packet and the latest edition of the Good Shepherd newsletter, The Shepherd Staff. The easiest way to learn about church activities is to fill out an information card found in the basket. Once we have your contact information, we can add you to our weekly email, the monthly newsletter and the Newcomer Brunch invitation list. You may leave the completed card in the basket or hand it to any Newcomer Committee member.
If you will be attending COGS on a regular basis we strongly recommend that you sign-up for a name tag-- wearing a name tag will greatly facilitate your transition into the Good Shepherd community. The sign-up sheet is located in the lower Narthex beside the stairs.
You are welcome here as soon as you walk in the door, and you need not "officially" join Good Shepherd until you are ready. If you would like to join our church, the rules for membership are:
· If you have been baptized in any Christian church, you can be a voting member of our parish.
· If you have been baptized in the Episcopal Church, you can request a "Letter of Transfer" from your previous parish.
· To be a "Communicant Member," you must take communion here at least three times a year.
· To be a "Member in Good Standing," you must worship here regularly, and contribute both time and financial support to the ministries of our community.
If you would like additional information please contact Karen Omahen or the Good Shepherd Office, admin@goodshepherdacton.org.
We look forward to meeting you.