Faith in Action

Our faith in action is an act of thanksgiving...our response to all the ways God has blessed us. The people of Good Shepherd are involved in a variety of Mission Projects through our schools, neighborhood groups, work places and personal involvement in favorite mission causes. In addition, members and friends support many mission projects at Good Shepherd – projects that address health, education, hunger, emergency relief, housing and a variety of other needs. Here are some of the ways we do that in our local area. Albany Lutheran Cluster Projects Joining with other area Lutheran churches, we collect designated items for people in need. Recent collections helped families of premature babies (Albany Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit), arts and crafts supplies for the Parsons Child and Family Center, and care baskets for the Venture Church. Member churches of the Albany Lutheran Cluster are: First Lutheran Church, Albany Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, Albany St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Albany St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Albany Black Sheep Coffee House Family entertainment in a coffee house setting – come and bring your friends! You’ll discover a musical treat each month: folk, country/western, contemporary, cabaret, even an occasional oompah band! Usually held the 3rd Saturday of the month … check the calendar for the latest schedule. Albany CROP Walk Good Shepherd traditionally takes home the Albany CROP Walk trophy for the most walkers and most money raised for this 10K walk to benefit local food pantries and international hunger relief organizations. We won’t be letting up our efforts, but we sure do hope the other Albany Lutheran Cluster trophy contenders beat us next time … so that together we can stop hunger! Homeless and Travelers Aid Society (HATAS) HATAS helps people in need transition to a more stable life. Good Shepherd provides funding and volunteers for the office. Mitten Tree Because hands and feet get cold in winter, all the mittens, gloves and warm hats that cover our tree at Christmas time find their way to local social service agencies. Ronald McDonald House Our volunteers prepare meals for those who stay at RMH while loved ones are undergoing treatment at Albany Medical Center. KITS for Seniors Keep In Touch Seniors! An opportunity for seniors to get together for trips, theater, luncheons. Organized by Marion Truland of St. John’s Lutheran Church. Good Shepherd Endowment Fund This fund receives gifts from individuals, using the generated income to support: missions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America at home and abroad community needs church related educational experiences, scholarships or grants capital improvements, debt reduction or building programs of the church Recent beneficiaries included The Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless, Capital Region Theological Center, Albany Maritime Ministry, Regional Food Bank, St. Paul’s Center for Homeless Women and Children. Since its creation in 1985 the fund has distributed over $10,000 to local charities and missions of the Lutheran Church.