Church of Good Shepherd

About

All are welcome at Good Shepherd. We are a place of sanctuary, radical welcome, and holy challenge for folks of all ages, backgrounds, and orientations who are looking for a thoughtful, prayerful and active community of faith.

Story

We follow Christ and draw from the riches of the Episcopal tradition, and we strive to be a learning community where folks can figure out how to practice their faith.

Sundays at 9:30 am in summer, 10 am during school year-- Holy Eucharist, with coffee and conversation following; childcare available and Christian formation for elementary-aged children.

Thursdays at 7 pm -- Hidden Brook Contemplative Prayer Service: a peaceful, candle-lit respite in your busy week

Wed., Thurs., and Friday at 7:15 am -- Morning Prayer

Some of our major initiatives and commitments: Living Stones Ministry in support of a just peace in Israel/Palestine; supporting Watertown Community gardens; animal ministry; Blue Christmas; collecting food every week for the Watertown Food Pantry.

Sunday worship is the heart of our life together in Christ. The first part of our service focuses on God as revealed in scripture (The Liturgy of the Word). The second part focuses on God as revealed the meal Jesus told us to continue in his name (The Liturgy of the Table/Eucharist/Mass). After worship, we enjoy getting to know one another over coffee and refreshments. On most Sundays, some kind of discussion or education program is offered, to help people reflect on their lives and deepen their understanding of the faith.

Our worship together reminds us who we are -- beloved children of God -- in a world where it's easy to forget that. It also strengthens us for service in our families, local communities, and global community. We are an active parish, where people of all ages support, teach, lead, and care for each other.

Our church was built in 1887, rebuilt after a fire in 1959, and renovated in 2009. The excellent acoustics of our beautiful, flexible worship space support our singing and other musical offerings. During the course of most weeks, people gather here not only for Sunday worship, but also for morning prayer, contemplative prayer, and individual meditation.

As you enter on Sunday morning, you will notice an atmosphere of reverence. One's eye is carried to the altar, or holy table, and to the cross. So our thoughts are taken at once to Christ and to God whose house the church is. In all that we do -- in worship, fellowship, service, or education -- we are centered on the holy mystery of God and God's love for us as revealed in Christ.

Mission

We gather together in the name of Christ in worship and in community. Together, we pray, learn, love, and share. Together, we reach out in hope to those within our parish and beyond. Together, we empower one another to live the love of Christ in the world as good shepherds. We celebrate our diversity and we welcome all.