April 2, 2016

As a joint Presbyterian and Lutheran congregation since 1972, Grace Good Shepherd (GGS) in McKinleyville, California, has always focused on mission. Over the years, its outreach to the community has included partnerships with Head Start, the Family Resource Center and Women, Infants and Children, all of which are housed on the church campus. A community garden provides over $10,000 worth of fresh produce annually to their food pantry. In addition, the congregation sponsors mobile health and dental clinics each year, as well as an annual food program for seniors, and hosts a Christmas food gift card and toy drive.

GGS is just one example of how a small congregation can be involved in local, regional and national efforts to promote justice and mercy through connections with both the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the PC(USA). The congregation has hosted riders participating in the presbytery’s Pedal for Protein, a 420-mile bicycle ride that last year raised over $30,000 for food pantries throughout Northern California, as well given out $6,000 worth of food gift cards with the help of Thrivent Financial (ELCA). With support from the presbytery’s Peacemaking Committee, GGS is doing a series of educational events on peace and justice issues—including video journals to be broadcast on public television—witnessing against religious extremism.

Rev. Deborah Haffner Hubbard