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
Mary Watson - "Someone Remembered Us"
If you have been anywhere near the kitchen at Good Shepherd, you know Mary. If food is being served, she is in the middle of it all.
“Food is my love language. Entertaining people is my love language,” she says. “I’m not the Mary who sits at Jesus’ feet…I’m the Martha who is worrying about getting him fed!”
Mary refers to herself as a “Miracle Baby”. It was considered a miracle at the time that both she and her mother survived her birth. And, it is also somewhat of a miracle that she and husband Chris made their way to Raleigh and Good Shepherd.
Mary grew up in the small town of Brighton, Iowa – the youngest of eight and the only girl. Pursuing her interest in fashion design and merchandising, she made her way to Arlington, Texas and met Chris there. After their wedding, they lived in San Antonio and Fort Worth. Chris famously told her he would never leave the state of Texas, but a business opportunity presented itself and they eventually found their way to Raleigh.
Mary and Chris visited several churches in Raleigh, looking for a faith community with energy, fellowship opportunities, and meaningful messaging. Mary also needed to express her love of music. They believed Good Shepherd would fill these needs.
According to Mary, the friendliness of the people at Good Shepherd made their decision an easy one. And, as she put it, “Someone remembered us. And that was a decision maker.”
Since joining Good Shepherd, Mary has been involved in many ministries – including the Sanctuary Choir, Celebration Ringers, and Dinner for Seven. But, her presence as the “Kitchen Guru” is the most visible.
She began as a kitchen helper and it eventually morphed into the Hospitality Team lead. Mary has completely rearranged and organized Good Shepherd’s kitchen and is always present for Coffeehouse, Memory Café, Lenten Soup Suppers, and all the other gatherings that include snacks or meals.
“Cooking for people gives me a sense of purpose and pleasure and joy. I don’t do it for a thank you,” Mary says. Good Shepherd is blessed that this “Miracle Baby” found her way to our congregation, and we do thank her for her contribution to both our worship and our stomachs!
Laura Prill - "Immersed in Community"
Laura Prill came to Raleigh in 1988 to find a career. But it was her search for a church that led to a calling. She will tell you that the alive, intimate, and inviting atmosphere of a fledgling Good Shepherd immediately “just felt right.”
Over the years, from Bible Study, to Youth Group, to Prayer Team, and Music Ministry, Laura found herself immersed in a community that forged not only a deeper connection to her faith but also in her relationship with God. However, it wasn’t until she went on her first Via de Cristo retreat that her eyes were opened to the profound love God had for her all along.
Laura explained that while in conversation with the different communities within GSLC, the topic of Via de Cristo (Spanish for “The Way of Christ”), the three-day Lutheran retreat, seemed to keep coming up. The persistence felt purposeful and, after she experienced her first weekend, she understood why. Laura credits immersion within this “Grace-filled” event, with its fellowship, joyful worship, and opportunity to delve into Christian truths, as to when her “relationship with God really started.” Furthermore, it “opened her eyes that God had found her before she even realized it” all those years ago.
With retirement on her side, Laura’s involvement in the Good Shepherd community continues to thrive, including as a Church Officer. She remains active on the board of directors for Via de Cristo, and maintains that Good Shepherd’s weekly Sunday morning education program keeps her actively present in her faith. Laura’s journey of lifelong formation started with a Bible study and continues to have a beautiful ripple effect throughout her life.
“There hasn’t been any activity I have been involved in,” Laura beams as she continues, “that I haven’t walked away with a new friend.”
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!
Will Vish - "Blended In"
The first thing you notice about 10 ½-year-old Will is his infectious smile. The second is his genuine joy at being a part of the Good Shepherd community. A fellowship he was eager to find 2 years ago when he and his family’s quest for a place to connect their love of God through service began.
Before joining Good Shepherd, Will described “feeling separate from what was happening at church.” While he enjoyed attending Sunday School and services, he wanted to experience more connection. Shortly after finding Good Shepherd, Will wasted no time joining his Grandmother for his first Coffee House. “I felt a little lost at first,” he admitted and quickly added, “but everyone was so friendly that I could ask anyone for help. I just got into it. I blended in!” This warmth and inclusion was all it took to ignite Will’s engagement in even more activities.
From the Memory Café to being a leader for his younger parishioners, he beams as he explains how he invites friends to join him and continues to learn about God through his participation and service. Will is thankful that these experiences have made him “a better communicator” with God.
Listening to Will enthusiastically advocate for participation, service, and inclusion as a way to grow closer to God, it is difficult to imagine a time when he was anything but connected. From his smile to his spirit, Will is a testament to “Inspiring Service” for all ages.
Page Vish - "Reinvigorate"
Ask Page about her involvement with Good Shepherd and it is readily apparent that for her, to worship God means to serve others. It was during the pandemic, in her search to find the right outlet for this, that Page discovered a match in Good Shepherd, and so much more.
Despite being active members in their former congregation, Page felt something was missing for both her and her family. The parish “had stopped growing, learning,” she explained. A lack of connection with the new pastor and the start of COVID finally prompted her to explore other churches on YouTube. It was a sermon by Pastor Marsha that hit a chord and led Page and her family to walk through Good Shepherd’s doors in 2021 and dive into volunteering at the Coffee House. From there, Page describes, with a vibrant energy usually reserved for theme parks, her ongoing involvement with Coffee House, Memory Café, and Summerfest, emphasizing the genuine kindness of those she is grateful to serve beside.
And while it is evident Page and her family have found the dynamic, cross-generational community they were looking for, there’s another element that keeps coming up. “The sermons reinvigorate my faith,” shares Page, “they bring me a sense of closeness in my relationship with God.” Often, one will hit home so hard that she and her family will share a smile and whisper a collective “mic drop!” at its conclusion.
For Page, Good Shepherd’s numerous opportunities allowed her to engage herself and her family with God through inspiring service to others. And the sermons, well, they’re the magic that got her here in the first place and continue to form her faith along the way.
Ashley Hardin - "Nook"
Coming out of the pandemic, much of Ashley’s life was brand new. She found herself in a new home with a new baby and now seated in the pew of a new-to-her church. Life was deeply good, but it was also disorienting and demanding.
With 2 little ones at home, the children’s ministry at Good Shepherd was a big draw for her family. As Eric and Ashley got their kids settled in Worship and Wonder at 10:00 am on Sunday mornings, they found themselves with an hour to spare. Hoping to meet some folks and enjoy grown-up conversation, they tried the Sunday Morning Education class, “Sacred Journeys,” coffee in hand.
With teacher Chris Watson taking the lead, the Sacred Journeys class was living its mission to “think critically, feel deeply, and wrestle earnestly” as they explored faith together. In class on Sundays, Ashley was excited by the fresh voices and new insights she discovered, and she was energized by conversation with her new Sacred Journeys community. “Good Shepherd has helped me and my whole family find the connection we’ve been longing for and re-center faith formation and spiritual discipline in our lives,” Ashley said, “I sponge up so much foundational information and introspective insight from Chris Watson’s Sacred Journeys class, which quickly became a favorite part of my week.”
Inspired by Sacred Journeys, Ashley created a reading nook at home—a quiet place to reflect, journal, and pray. Thanks to Chris’s book recommendations, she draws inspiration, comfort, and energy from a vibrant collection of books by insightful and faithful authors. Amid parenting and working full-time, she now takes time for herself. Through this time, she receives nourishment and care from the God who loves her life’s disorienting and demanding changes.
We’re so glad Ashley, Eric, Olivia, and Isaac are growing roots at Good Shepherd, where lifelong formation is valued and lived-out in Christ-centered, life-changing community!
Joanna Spangler - "Excited and Nervous"
“We were not a churchgoing family,” said Joanna about growing up in Greenwood, Indiana. When she wasn’t busy breaking Indiana high school swim records, she would occasionally attend church with friends, mostly megachurches or Mass with neighbors, never Lutheran. Needless to say, becoming the wife of a Lutheran pastor and Army Chaplain Candidate was not on her radar screen!
Once Aaron entered her life, their shared focus began to take shape. Because of events in Aaron’s life, he began to consider entering seminary with the eventual goal of becoming an Army Chaplain. “He gave me plenty of outs”, Joanna said. He told me, “If this isn’t what you want, it’s OK. He wanted me to have a choice.” They made the choice together and he entered seminary.
When it came time for Aaron to enter the vicar program as part of his seminary education, Joanna was also completing a master’s degree in counseling. They were both nervous about the city and congregation where they would be placed. Lovingly, Aaron requested sites where Joanna could also facilitate her licensing. “Some of the focus was on me,” she shared. “I think he wanted me to flourish in the program, too.”
They were both excited – and nervous – in April of last year when all of the vicar candidates were called into the seminary sanctuary to receive their assignments. As soon as they were assigned to Good Shepherd Lutheran in Raleigh, they began preparing their move.
Into her time in Raleigh and at Good Shepherd, Joanna was delighted to find that rather than having to meet expectations of the church, she was allowed to choose her involvement. She sings in the Sanctuary Choir, has volunteered in the nursery and at Camp Agape, and even tag-teams with Vicar Aaron in his effort to develop the young adult ministry.
“Good Shepherd is providing for my needs, as well as Aaron’s,” she feels. She believes these last stages of his education are meant to solidify their ministry journey together. And, according to Joanna, Good Shepherd has been an ideal environment for both of them.
Your generosity and sustained giving to Good Shepherd make it possible for us to offer the vicar experience to seminarian families like the Spanglers. Thank you for your support for God’s Church and the ministries of Good Shepherd.
Karen Brown - "Second Grandma"
From the age of 17, organist and former music director Karen Brown joined churches where her musical and leadership gifts were needed, whether Lutheran, Presbyterian or Episcopal. That was, until she was called to Raleigh in 2015 to fulfill a different kind of role, “Grandma.”
Karen and her husband Jim quickly identified Good Shepherd as their new faith family due to it’s proximity to their home as well it’s approachable pastors and commitment to the liturgical year. “There was an immediate friendliness to Good Shepherd,” Karen remembers. “And a certain freedom to participation - we’re not instructed on how we must think.”
With this freedom, Karen dove right into where she’d always been most comfortable, “giving and giving back to God” through music. Starting with the sanctuary choir, Karen eventually joined the bell choir, began playing her harp for special events, and even filled in on the organ and piano when the need arose.
Her musicality creates, and continues to create, vibrant worship experiences at Good Shepherd.
If you know Karen, then you know that music isn’t the only way Karen brings vibrancy to the sanctuary. Karen’s warmth comes through in her smile, which she’s eager to share whether it’s catching up with a young adult friend after worship, mentoring an 8th grader, or eagerly supporting one of our resident Girl Scouts through generous cookie-purchasing.
Karen believes that “personal feeling” is important to a faith community. That’s probably why she’s been referred to by some family-friends as “second grandma,” which makes a lot of sense knowing what led her to Raleigh in the first place.