WELCOMING YOU HOME
In the desert it is sometimes hard to find a cool, safe place to rest, a place where your spirit is renewed by community and refreshed by living waters. We are glad you have found your way here to receive our extravagant welcome.
We hope you will come to know us as a vibrant, relaxed and diverse community of faith, and as a church that gathers to nurture, share and celebrate the wonder of life.
For at The Good Shepherd we are all spiritual seekers who find joy in community; meaning in living faith-filled lives; purpose in seeking to promote justice and compassion; and direction in following in the way of Jesus.
CELEBRATING MARGARET KOFRON
[Margaret has just concluded a year at The Good Shepherd in the role of Director of Faith Formation, and Community Engagement Coordinator. She is on her way to Sicily, where she will be working with immigrants in the Mediterranean area. We hate to say goodbye, and hope to watch her adventures from afar..]
My time at The Good Shepherd has flown by. I cannot think of a better job straight out of college. Not only was I able to find a job that I enjoyed intellectually and filled my soul but I was gifted with a community—a community of wise, loving, and deeply holy people. I have learned so much about what it means and what it looks like to build a life of faith through each of you. I came into your life as the winter season of our church was beginning when everyone was stepping back into their places at The Good Shepherd. You each welcomed me and included me in your roles. You asked for my help, ideas, and company. You gave me the chance to be impactful in my role. You taught me about myself and my relationship with God. The work that is done at The Good Shepherd is unique. There are not many churches rooted in mission/justice work the way our church is. It is powerful and the community feels your power. You have taught me how a church becomes and can become a community center for not just Christians but for all! What originally called me to The Good Shepherd was the immigration work the church was engaged in. I wanted to be of service to a group of people who needed more friends. I wanted to practice welcoming the stranger. The Bible is a story of immigration and a story of immigration is a human story. I often tell people I’m so lucky to get to work with Randy and be a witness to the work he has built. I say I’m his shadow. I’m so grateful he’s comfortable with having two of them! I cannot explain how much I’ve learned from him; as a person, minister, and boss. He does such a wonderful job humbly embodying Jesus. I have learned how to go out of my way to be of service, how to do work internationally (even though we think of our home as one, The Borderlands), how to lead with dignity, how to stand up to authority, and how to engage in conversations that brings people to the table. Over the past several years, I have surprised myself with how strong my faith has grown. Working in a church, I knew this would help cultivate it or teach me some of its limits, perhaps. By golly, you all have taken my faith and set it on fire. At no time, did I look to Sunday morning with more excitement. I will miss you all dearly and deeply. It doesn’t feel right to leave something, I cherish so much. With that being said I know there is still so much I don’t know and I have to seek it out. I’m so grateful for being able to spend my year learning so much about immigration, The Borderlands, our church, and UCC! How lucky am I that I got to do this all at once? I pray I may see you all again. With love and blessings, Margaret Kofron
FALL CLASS SCHEDULE
NEW! Fall classes are open for registration. Writing, crafting and more!
The Estate Sale Group is quickly filling its calendar for the 2024-25 season!
The next sale will be on Thursday and Friday, October 24-25 at 2367 W. Calle Cacillo.
Please help spread the word and share with your friends. If you know anyone who might be interested in having a sale, have them call 520-260-6101 and visit with Heidi Geroux about how we can help.
If you'd like to volunteer, please email Nikki Harrison.
As always, thank you for all your support.
GREEN VALLEY-SAHUARITA SAMARITANS
The mission of Samaritans is to save lives and relieve suffering in the Arizona borderlands. The conditions at our border have changed since our founding in 2005 and yet we are still focused on this same mission.​We accomplish our mission through these six main activities: Desert Searches; Water; Shelter; El Comedor; Operation Streamline; and Communication.All this would not be possible without a myriad of volunteer Samaritans. Read more about the Green Valley-Sahuarita Samaritans.​