Each month, we highlight a member of the Good Shepherd community and how they live out Good Shepherd’s main facets of life together: Cross-Generational Community, Vibrant Worship, Lifelong Formation, Inspiring Service, and Real Presence. If you’ve witnessed an individual exemplifying one or more of these facets, please contact andrew.buck@gslchurch.org so we can share these stories.
Pillars of Good Shepherd
Rich Houze - "I Left Music"
Music has always been a part of Rich Houze’s life. He earned a Music Production and Engineering Bachelor's Degree from Berklee College of Music in Boston. When he returned to his home state of Indiana to pursue a master’s degree at Purdue, he worked part time at the Baldwin warehouse where he learned to tune pianos. But before he was even born, his mother, an opera singer, performed at the Houston Grand Opera as a nun, seven months pregnant with him.
So it is all the more surprising that when Rich began worshiping at Good Shepherd in 2000, he hadn’t played music for over five years.
“I left music,” Rich shared, “because I didn’t think I could build a career on it.” With a job in industrial engineering and a young family, music was on the backburner. That was, until he met Ann Buff who, at the time, directed the 1st-5th grade choir.
“Shortly after we started going to Good Shepherd,” Rich mused, “my family went to a church picnic at Blue Jay Point. Someone must have told Ann that I played piano, because next thing I knew, she was asking me if I’d accompany Shepherd’s Choir.” Looking for a way to plug in, he accepted the invitation and accompanied Ann for seven years before being promoted to director in 2008.
Along with directing Shepherd’s Choir for a total of sixteen years, Rich regularly tunes Good Shepherd’s pianos, plays trumpet at Easter, and entertains the Coffeehouse crowd with his band. Additionally, he can often be found in the back of the sanctuary running the soundboard, facilitating the livestream, or training individuals on either of those responsibilities – making sure that folks onsite and online can enjoy vibrant worship experiences as much as he does.
“I’m thankful to be involved in such an engaged community,” Rich reflected. And we, too, are thankful for Rich, his rediscovery of music, and for the many years he’s shared the joy of music across generations at Good Shepherd.
David Cope - "Skeptical at First"
When David and Karen Cope moved to the Triangle, they enjoyed the vibrant life of retirees. Now living closer to family and getting to know their new church – Good Shepherd – they found a place to belong.
In those days, going out was a big part of the way they enjoyed themselves, whether it was dinner and a movie or seeing a show at DPAC. And they explored ways to dive into life at church as well, getting to know the folks near them in the pew and getting involved with Sunday Morning Education.
Through the years, Karen began to develop health issues, and dementia was a part of her diagnosis. As the dementia progressed and David found himself increasingly in the role of caretaker, a friend in the pew, Ginny, made a suggestion: She encouraged them to check out Good Shepherd’s ministry, Memory Café. Ginny thought it might be a way for David and Karen to enjoy the feel of one of their nice nights out, in a safe, friendly, and supportive environment.
Skeptical at first, David and Karen decided to try it, and David was thrilled when Karen absolutely loved the event. They attended each café, enjoying the camaraderie, the food, and the entertainment. “When she didn’t want to do much else,” David said, “she always looked forward to Memory Café.” Even in her final months, when conversation was difficult, Karen enjoyed sitting around the table, smiling at the conversation of others. And being a hearty eater, she loved the delicious food prepared by the kitchen crew.
Karen passed away in 2019. Then, COVID temporarily closed Memory Cafe. When this ministry opened again, David wanted to give back to Memory Café, in honor of his beloved spouse. As a thank you for all that Memory Café meant to her, he now plays piano during the dinner portion of the program each time they gather. The music connects in a special way to folks with dementia, and it connects David to that special time with Karen in her final years.
This year, David and Karen would have celebrated 50 years of marriage. We remember her with fondness and give thanks for the ways we can be the real presence of Christ’s love for one another at every age and stage of life. Thank you, David, for sharing your love of Karen with our Memory Café folks in this meaningful way!
