Good Shepherd Episcopal Church

Here is an abridged version of my address to the groundbreaking attendees:

"WELCOME to all the Evergreen and Good Shepherd families and distinguished guests. 

At our first meeting, John and I instantly recognized that our goals aligned: to make use of Good Shepherd’s facility to benefit the community and build a forever school for Evergreen Montessori. There were a few bumps in the road but here we are at last at the Groundbreaking for the new school! At Good Shepherd we say, “Thanks be to God, Alleluia!!”

The groundbreaking for the original church was over 60 years ago. The Episcopal Diocese of Washington had purchased farmland on Old Bladensburg Road for a new mission (which is a precursor form of church). The mission grew to become a parish and finally a church, Good Shepherd. 

There are three things to know about Good Shepherd:

1. Good Shepherd is all about LOVE & Community
2. From its beginning Good Shepherd has been inclusive and welcoming to ALL people;  this was unique in Montgomery County in the 50s & 60s 
3. Good Shepherd also believes in early education to give children a leg up in school and established a Preschool Program to support families in the neighborhood. It was not exclusive to church members in fact most if not all were not members but it didn't matter! It was our pride and joy until 2020 when it was forced to close during the pandemic. 
4. So we are overjoyed to join Evergreen School, which celebrated it’s 60th anniversary (it took 60 years for us to connect!!), to promote love and kindness, equity and inclusion, and truth and knowledge and positively impact our world for generations to come. AMEN!"