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.