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?

Psalm 46:10 Be still and know that I am God.

Just saying the words out loud is like taking a deep calming breath. It reassures me that despite how crazy the world can be, God’s hand is at work and we need to have faith even when events occur that are so unjust or so painful. This verse gives me a quiet confidence - it's like God saying very clearly, "Learn to trust me – I got this."

What service do you usually go to? Usually 11 AM

Where did you grow up? All over Montgomery County MD (Twinbrook, Rockville, Derwood, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Damascus, Bethesda). But when I married Tim in 1997, I “crossed the river” and moved to Alexandria, VA. I have loved my Rosemont neighborhood from the moment I moved here.

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

• Volunteer as a counter. We work in teams of two every Sunday.
• Consider participating in online giving (Simply Giving), which provides for consistent income over the course of the year for our church.
• If you have financial expertise, consider joining Council or assisting with our annual audit.

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

Isaiah 46:4 Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

What service do you usually go to? It really varies these days but before the shutdown, my family and I usually attended the 9:45 service.

Where did you grow up? In Howell, Michigan, a small town halfway between Lansing and Detroit and close to Ann Arbor. (Go Blue!)

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

I’m the recording secretary so I take the meeting minutes at the council and congregational meetings, and I don’t require any outside help unless I’m unable to attend. Before this, I was a Sunday School teacher for a number of years teaching many different age levels. There are so many ways to be involved at Good Shepherd. In addition to the obvious – council, Sunday School – I ask members to think about what they enjoy doing or are good at. For example, my son recently did yard work for the church and Robbie Morris makes art installations for the grounds. You don’t need to wait to be asked.

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?

Luke: 24:13-35, on the road to Emmaus, particularly the last verse Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he (Jesus) was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

It’s been encouraging and meaningful to me that the disciples discovered and recognized Jesus in something broken, in something being broken open. It has been a reminder to me that there is nothing wrong with brokenness, that there is much holiness in brokenness, and that Jesus makes himself especially known in the seemingly broken.

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

Where did you grow up? Willow Grove, PA, just north of Philadelphia

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

We are always looking for new volunteers to assist with worship, through reading, assisting minister, and zoom hosts. There is training and support available for these opportunities and I’m happy to answer any questions.

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

1 Corinthians 13 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal... resonates with me and my role at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and Council. Marrying later in life, and being raised Catholic, my mother always told me I just need to find a good "Christian" boy and this bible verse was included in a reading at our wedding. AJ was the son of a Lutheran minister, and his Dad's five brothers and one sister were also Lutheran ministers so I'm always thankful for my Mom's advice and blessed to have found my match!

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

Where did you grow up? Kennewick, WA

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

Participate, and keep your children involved in the events planned so all the kids continue to develop strong relationships with each other for life-long memories.

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.

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?

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?

As David prayed in Psalm 18:1: “I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

This verse is meaningful to me when I need to be reminded about hope especially during tough times.

What service do you usually go to? I attend the 9:45 a.m. service and I enjoy the contemporary service.

Where did you grow up? I was born in Alexandria, MN and have moved several times during my childhood due to my father's job working for the Federal government. I have lived in Minnesota, Morocco (parents were in the Peace Corps for a few years), Michigan, Wisconsin, Virginia, and Montana.

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

Christian education is important for both children and adults so if anyone wants to get involved, even in the smallest way, please do not hesitate to let me or the Pastor know. If you want to be a behind the scenes volunteer, there are plenty of opportunities for that. Also, assistance is always needed with Vacation Bible School or Sunday School.

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

Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.

What service do you usually go to? 11 AM

Where did you grow up? Warren, MI

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

Participate in the Stewardship team, brainstorming ways to identify member talents, encourage member participation by volunteering their time in programs and the mission of GSLC, and creating and sharing information about giving opportunities, and the spiritual and congregation benefits of stewardship.

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!