The Lutheran Church of The Good Shepherd

Be Seen • Be Heard • Belong

Founded in 1957, the church on the corner of North and Henderson streets has grown and changed over the years. As the building has expanded, so has its outreach, most recently with outdoor Sunday morning worship under the cathedral of evergreens on the church’s six acres. Led by Pastor Carol Tomer, Associate Pastor Melissa Anderson Trust, Associate Pastor Bergen Eickhoff, and a growing staff and newly forming ministry teams, the congregation is moving into its next chapter of ministry, called The Good Courage Journey.

The congregation is an open-hearted, open-minded ELCA congregation. Of particular note is that it has been a Reconciling in Christ congregation since 2009, meaning that it is publicly welcoming of LGBTQIA+ people, as well as being deeply involved in an expansive ministry of justice-making and mercy. This wide-reaching commitment is proclaimed in these words: "The Lutheran Church of The Good Shepherd welcomes all people: the poor and the rich, the young and the old; people who are single, married, blessed, divorced, separated, partnered or widowed; people of all abilities; people of all sexual orientations and gender identities; people of all nations and ethnic backgrounds. No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here."

The current ministries of the congregation include a contemplative evening service which debuted this past summer and continues throughout the year on the 3rd Thursday of each month (this is made possible because Good Shepherd has just been named a Calvin Vital Worship Grant recipient, one of 13 congregations in North America this year). A quilting group (called the Piece Corp) makes and sends over 400 quilts each year around the world (through Lutheran World Relief). The congregation has a community garden that is used by members and the local community, and its harvests are contributed to the local food banks. The church has been a hub of the community, hosting in its building several other organizations: CIELO (Olympia Latino Comprehensive Educational Center), Scouts, Sunrise Beach School, basketball, soccer, pickleball groups, theater groups, local music recitals, support groups, the Olympia School District’s Transition Academy, as well as the CIELO Food and Hygiene Supply Bank.