Our Role As Christian Servants
Service to others, in the spirit of Jesus Christ, has been a central part of Good Shepherd United Church of Christ, since our inception in 1987. Even as a relatively small progressive church, the Good Shepherd and our family of faith have endeavored to make a difference in the lives of those around us, in Cary, Apex, Morrisville, Holly Springs, the Raleigh – Durham region, and the world at large.
GSUCC has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with several vibrant service organizations in the Cary community:
Dorcas Ministries is a faith-based agency that offers a wide range of services to local families in need. Good Shepherd’s Social Ministries team, the youth group and individual volunteers are actively involved in Dorcas Ministries.
The Carying Place is a transitional housing program that helps homeless families regain their footing. In addition to working as program volunteers, Good Shepherd members are in the rotation to prepare and serve meals to Carying Place families.
Habitat For Humanity partners with people in the community to help build affordable housing. Several members and the church as a whole, work on building homes in the Cary – Apex area.
Other ways we serve:
Members of Good Shepherd also join with members of Cary First Christian Church and Covenant Christian Church on week-long mission trips to impoverished parts of Appalachia every other year.
Caring For Creation is a group of GSUCC members who seek to address environmental issues in the Cary area and beyond, while also making other church members more aware of ways we can more responsible stewards of God’s world.
The Good Shepherd Garden on the church grounds is cared for by several church members and grows healthy vegetables that are donated to Dorcas Ministries spring, summer and fall.
Throughout the history of Good Shepherd, the church has served as sponsors for refugee families. Currently, we are working with a family who came to us through U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI).
Through the church’s participation in ChildFund International, we have sponsored and provided financial support to a young man named Yohanis in Ethiopia for over a decade.
In addition to long-standing activities and programs, Good Shepherd Social Ministries takes on additional projects and looks for opportunities to educate members on ways they may be of better service. If you see a servant’s mindset as being a part of your faith experience, there is a good likelihood you will find a way to express it at Cary’s Good Shepherd United Church of Christ. Please feel free to contact members of our Social Ministries team to learn more.