What's a Bible verse or spiritual concept that's meaningful to you?

Micah 3:5 What does the Lord God ask of you? To act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.

What service do you usually go to? 9:45 AM

Where did you grow up? Whitewater, WI (But I’ve lived in Alexandria for the past 20 years.)

What’s an example of how members can help/volunteer in your GSLC ministry area?

As the VP of church council, my ministry area is supporting everyone else’s ministry areas by thinking through strategies and connecting committee leads to create a communication team. I’ve enjoyed participating in several areas of the church experience- from teaching Sunday School, to serving on the Anti-Racism Team- to leading evangelical outreach for a few years. Leaning in and stepping up have helped me feel more engaged with my own spiritual development and engaged with our community. You may see a need and feel called to serve. Reach out and we’ll connect you.

What's a Bible verse or spiritual concept that's meaningful to you?

Matthew 22: 37-40 ’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘ Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.

What service do you usually go to? Currently: 8:30 AM

Where did you grow up? Some say I haven’t, but I was raised in what was a small town, Hudson, Massachusetts, 45 minutes west of Boston and 15 minutes north of Worcester.

What’s an example of how members can help/volunteer in your GSLC ministry area?

Support our church’s ministries and operating fund with your offerings. The treasurer (working with the staff bookkeeper) is responsible for paying all the bills and debts of the church. This includes all expenses, salaries, payroll taxes and charitable endeavors supported by Good Shepherd.

What's a Bible verse or spiritual concept that's meaningful to you?

Isaiah 42:3 ...a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench...

This tells me that through hard times and good, God will be there to love and support us.

What service do you usually go to? I usually attend the 11 AM and sing in the choir.

Where did you grow up? My dad was in the Marines when I was growing up, so we lived in Virginia (multiple places), North Carolina, New York, and California.

What’s an example of how members can help/volunteer in your GSLC ministry area?

Volunteers are always welcome to help with property! Whether you have 30 minutes or hours, there is something to be done! Some examples:

• Cleaning up after floods
• Returning furniture, etc. to the fellowship hall once the repairs are done
• Cleaning and purging the hallway outside the nursery
• Weeding flower beds
• Meeting contractors at the church
• Etc. Please reach out to me at dyelfes@gmail.com if you would like to help!

What's a Bible verse or spiritual concept that's meaningful to you?

Isaiah 30:21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

What service do you usually go to? 11 AM

Where did you grow up? Ridgewood, NJ

What’s an example of how members could help/volunteer in your GSLC ministry area?

The legal trustee is concerned with risk, so if anyone sees safety or flooding issues, they should report them to me or the council president.

What's a Bible verse or spiritual concept that's meaningful to you?

James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only…

What service do you usually go to? 11 AM

Where did you grow up? Rice Lake, WI

What’s an example of how members can help/volunteer in your GSLC ministry area?

Communications: Whether for a particular event or on a more ongoing basis, we’re looking for folks to take photos and videos and/or interested in interacting with our communities on GSLC’s social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter).

Anti-Racism Team: Take part in activities, help to plan one or join the team. Join in on conversation and practice leaning into the discomfort that can come. Participate in a book or film discussion, learn from BIPOC writers, filmmakers, creators and thinkers and access resources for self-education.

What's a Bible verse or spiritual concept that's meaningful to you?

Matthew 6: 28-34 Whenever I feel anxious I like to “consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin….if God so clothes the grass… shall She not more clothe you?”

I love how the Beatitudes (found in Matt 6:28-34, my paraphrase) present the compassionate teachings of Jesus.

What service do you usually go to? I usually attend the 11 AM service, though Paul may tell you I attend the 11:15 service ;-)

Where did you grow up? I was born in Chicago but moved to Pittsburgh, PA soon after my father died when I was five. That covers the first 25 years and the last forty have been here in Virginia. We started our family just a block away from GSLC, then moved to Ft. Hunt area.

What’s an example of how members can help/volunteer in your GSLC ministry area?

The Evangelical Outreach Committee truly needs members from various age groups and interests to step up and be the body of GSLC. Share with me how you feel we can be most welcoming!

You may have been by the church and noticed some artsy things happening outside.

The culmination of experiences, inspired early in the pandemic when I drove by a church and noticed a sign on their door, “Closed til further notice.”. Now hopefully they just meant the building, but it felt sad. I decided right then that our church was going to look like something was happening even if we couldn’t invite folks inside our doors!

I would love to continue outdoor art to celebrate the church seasons and messages. If you have ideas or would like to work on someone else’s, let me know. I enjoy brainstorming so even if just a kernel, we’ll make it pop!

I would also like a more active social media presence. What Nextdoor neighborhood could you post in? How do we present ourselves on Facebook?

A fun fact, of all the ways I nurture people, preparing and presenting food is not what I do well. So, when we begin to gather again and have new member luncheons, I am going to need a committee of helpers!

What's a Bible verse or spiritual concept that's meaningful to you?

2 Timothy 1:7 God didn’t give us a cowardly spirit but a spirit of power, love, and good judgment." To me this means we as Christians can use the gifts God has given us, whatever powers we possess through Grace, to go forward with purpose to promote God's message of love while being mindful of our resources so we use them for the benefit of others less fortunate or able. God is always with us and wants us to be free to walk in the world knowing we are under powerful care, so I believe we have a duty to help those in need, whatever the circumstance. This is embodied in my favorite song "Go my Children, With my Blessing" (and the many adaptations that also have great meaning). To me it is so powerful to know that someone (in our physical "in the moment world") is backed up by God and our combined blessings. I use this thought every day in my life as I struggle through it with all of you. Peace be with you!

What service do you usually go to? 9:45, because we enjoy the interaction with the children during that service.

Where did you grow up? I had a great childhood, growing up in rural Napa, California. I spent many a weekend in the hills with my dog and BB gun (in case of snakes!). It's a lot different now...too many people for the roads!

What’s an example of how members can help/volunteer in your GSLC ministry area?

As the Finance Committee chair, we can always use help with any stewardship efforts. And, as a relative "newbie" to GSLC, I have been blown away with the depth of caring knowledge that our Team members show constantly. As always, we need to the same spiritual and diverse business acumen with which God has our blessed our Team and if you feel you have a couple minutes a week I'd love to hear from you!

What's a Bible verse or spiritual concept that's meaningful to you?

Prayer for Generosity of St. Ignatius

Lord, teach me to be generous.

Teach me to serve you as you deserve;

to give and not to count the cost,

to fight and not to heed the wounds,

to toil and not to seek for rest,

to labor and not to ask for reward,

save that of knowing that I do your will.

What service do you usually go to? 8:30 service

Where did you grow up? San Bernardino, CA

What’s an example of how members can help/volunteer in your GSLC ministry area?

This has been difficult in COVID times, but we'll soon return to our normal opportunities. Please consider engaging with our staff and seeing what appeals to you. The easiest method might be to support our congregation's spend plan with the giving of your offerings.