Dear Good Shepherd,
We are glad to kick off the fall program year with our theme of Understanding Union with God and One Another. The community that we experience at Good Shepherd reflects not only our desire to know each other but it also reflects our desire to experience union with God and with God’s purposes for us. In a time that can feel polarizing, we are glad to emphasize the ways that God’s love draws us together.
We are excited to celebrate the Rev. Stanford Adams’ call as our acting rector tomorrow Sunday, September 8 after the 10:30a services at Windsor, and we hope that you’ll be here. If you missed news of Stanford’s call, please read more here.
We are so gratified to see the progress our parish has experienced this year. We began the year with several unknowns, beginning with our clergy leadership, and saw an outpouring of interest in helping provide direction for the parish via online surveys, in-person forums, and a large number of individuals nominated to serve on a rector search committee.
Based on that work, we were able to engage collaboratively with the Diocese of Texas and determine a path forward that we strongly believe is the right path for our parish. Calling the Rev. Stanford Adams as acting rector starts the next chapter for Good Shepherd, and he and the Vestry have now begun the tasks set out for us by Bishop Doyle, in particular the work to conduct long-term planning and develop strategic goals for the parish. We’re excited about these. Additionally, we have been blessed to bring on new members of the clergy and promote critical existing members of the team.
A Strategic Planning Leadership Group will conduct formal planning work this fall, and we need your continued help and support to discern our path forward and to support its success. We are so fortunate to experience broad participation in parish life which makes us strong and a beacon of light in Austin. Thank you for your role in that work.
Peace,
John Pitts, Senior Warden
J. Pieratt, Junior Warden
