Give

Planned Giving Workshop & Tips


We were pleased to welcome Yvonne Lembo back to provide information and guidance on stewardship and planned giving. Watch the workshop video and access resources below, including a series of five articles Yvonne provided.

  • How Much Should I Give?


    Expecting an answer with clear instructions – or formula to use? No, though it would be nice if there were a simple answer to this important question. But the decision of how much and how frequently to donate is a private one. One that’s rooted in our own relationship with God and Christian understanding that all that we have, indeed, comes from God. Read more (pdf)

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  • Planned Giving Workshop


    Thanks Chris Hoeffner and Denise Gray for organizing the workshop and to Yvonne Lembo for her wonderful presentation. If you couldn’t attend or want a refresher:


    See video below


    Presentation slides (pdf, 1.6 mb)


    Asset inventory worksheet (pdf)

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Thank You for Embracing the Bigger Table!

Thanks to you, Good Shepherd raised $16,110 through the Embrace the Bigger Table 2020 year-end giving campaign. With the generous $15,000 match, that’s $31,110 to support antiracism initiatives and building and online worship infrastructure.


This is an active investment in continuing to share God’s grace with one another and the wider community online and in our church building once we’re able to gather there again safely. It’s an active investment in possibility, by establishing a scholarship fund that supports post-secondary education and the opportunities it unlocks.


We’re deeply grateful to all who contributed and to the anonymous members who provided such a generous matching gift. Thanks be to God for the faithful stewardship of so many that undergirds Good Shepherd’s efforts to be God’s hands in this world.


For more information, please read the Embrace the Bigger Table introduction letter (pdf).

Help Us Build a #BiggerTable

Join us to offer your time, talent and treasure to be God hands in this world by giving back to our local community, responding to needs across the globe, and supporting each other at and through Good Shepherd.


2020 and into 2021 have been a time of challenge and change for all. Your gifts undergirding Good Shepherd’s mission are as important. Together, we’re navigating this unprecedented time as a congregation and as God’s hands in a local and global world hurting in new ways.


2020 Annual Report (pdf, 1,4 mb)

Engaging Our World

We’re committed to sharing our gifts with the needs of our community and our world. Specifically, we:

  • Support the food pantry and related services of ALIVE!, Casa Chirilagua and Grace Pantry.
  • Support women rebuilding their lives after incarceration through Guest House.
  • Shelter those who are homeless through Carpenter's Shelter.
  • Support Lutheran camps and campus ministries, new mission starts, ELCA World Hunger, ELCA Disaster Response, Lutheran World Relief, advocacy for justice work, seminarians and sister synods in Namibia, El Salvador and Slovakia through our support of the Metropolitan DC Synod.

Inspiring Worship

Sunday worship, with the gifts of word and sacrament, is where faith is nurtured and discipleship is practiced. Though online worship and in-person when it's safe to gather again, we:

  • Preach and celebrate weekly worship throughout the year.
  • Celebrate baptisms, first communions, confirmations, weddings and funerals.
  • Turn our hearts to God through song and prayer with organ, piano, choir and other musical gifts.
  • Explore additional worship styles and activities to engage online and outdoors.

Growing Deeper in Faith

Education and discipleship ministries offer vital resources to enable people of all ages to grow in faith. Gathering online we:

  • Connect with each other and with God through morning prayer, Saturday Storytime and other devotional gatherings. 
  • Provide quality Christian education including Sunday School, adult classes, summer camp/Vacation Bible School (VBS), book studies, small groups and online devotions.
  • Encourage deepening of faith amid life in a diverse society through opportunities offered by our anti-racism team and conversations with our Muslim friends.
  • Participate in Mosaix, an intentional effort to build a multi-ethnic congregation. With leadership from the Metro DC ELCA Synod, we’ll share lessons learned, challenges and successes with five other churches also working to mirror the diversity of heaven here on earth. 

Connecting with New People

In pursuit of communicating the gospel to a hurting world we:

  • Engage our community with an updated website and social media presence.
  • Publicize events using multiple communication tools.
  • Work to ensure that our welcome is genuine to all through the work of all members as well as the Reconciling in Christ team.
  • Provide opportunities for the community to take part in social (block party, Easter egg hunt (pre-COVID), learning (summer camp/Vacation Bible School, guest speakers) events and service projects (God’s Work Our Hands, ALIVE! walkathon).
  • Work with the New Connections engagement team to strategize and implement tools for growth.

Caring for Our People & Space

Toward fellowship activities and care for our building and property we:

  • Provide opportunities for building relationships through online fellowship activities like game nights, hymn sings and blessings of the animals.
  • Check in with members and friends through the changes and challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Ensure our building is well-cared for including investing in proactive long-term maintenance.
  • Implement COVID-related protocols to ensure safety once we re-open the building to our members, guests and groups we share our space with, including the Alexandria Choral Society and Guest House.

Administrative Support for Ministries

Ministries require administrative support including:

  • Provide bulletins and materials for worship and Christian education.
  • Provide for telephone and internet use.
  • Maintain database of pastoral acts and membership.
  • Create weekly e-newsletters.