eVOICE for June 11, 2026



GOOD SHEPHERD EPISCOPAL CHURCH



Third Sunday after Pentecost

June 14, 2026



We will be celebrating with Transfiguration Church via Zoom at 9:00 am and in-person at Good Shepherd Church at 10:30 am.

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRIDE MONTH IS HERE!!!! EDOW ENCOURAGES ALL PARISHES TO PARTICIPATE:

1. March with EDOW in the Pride Parade

Join the official diocesan contingent in celebrating Pride! Come march with us, show your love and embrace our LGBTQ+ community, which reflects God’s glorious creativity and diversity. This year’s Capital Pride Parade is on Saturday, June 20. All interested congregations and Episcopal communities are invited to unite under the diocesan banner and march together.

If you and/or your community are interested in joining the diocesan contingent to walk in the Parade, complete this Google form or email Michelle Dibblee (mdibblee@edow.org). We will likely gather at St. Luke's around 2:30 p.m. to be ready for the parade kickoff at 3:00 p.m. Exact details will be emailed ahead of time to everyone registered.

2. Be Proud Online  

As Pride Month approaches, Everloving Pride offers a thoughtful collection of tools and resources designed specifically for church contexts. 

3. Pride Interfaith Service at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

https://edow.org/event/pride-interfaith-service/ Bishop Mariann joins Center Faith and the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center for the 43rd annual LGBTQ+ community celebration of religious pluralism and interfaith collaboration. Founded during the era of the Names Project AIDS memorial quilts, this service continues to connect and weave many LGBTQ+ faith communities. This year, Bishop Mariann will offer one of three reflections during this service of music, prayer, and celebration among our many different traditions.

Note: The annual Pride Interfaith Service is a community-based service respectfully demonstrating the breadth, depth, and sincerity of our faith, countering any misconception that anti-gay fundamentalists have a monopoly on faith and religion. We take pride that our community expresses its religious faiths in a myriad of ways, each sacred and revered with years of tradition. Send Questions to: centerfaith@thedccenter.org.

HELP NEEDED AT ST. MICHAEL's: Michelle Dibblee, Diocesan Missioner Justice and Equity, is looking for 6-10 people who can come help pack 100 grocery bags on Thursday, June 18th at St. Michael and All Angels in Adelphi (just on the border between MoCo and PG County. At least 2 people from St. Luke's Bethesda are coming. Can you join them? St. Michael's has been providing a monthly meal and grocery bags, along with clothing and other necessities, for decades. Many of the people who come are their immigrant neighbors, some of whom also volunteer to deliver groceries. The need has continued to grow in 2026, and this is an especially big month. They'd love a helping hand. Michelle promises that it is time well spent!and she says she leaves each time feeling renewed in spirit. 

Details: Thursday, June 18, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon (don't need to stay the whole time! Even an hour is fantastic) St. Michael and All Angels, 8501 New Hampshire Avenue, Adelphi, MD

If you are coming, please email Michelle Dibblee at mdibblee@edow.org, or call/text 202-537-6560.

Rector Transition Team - The Vestry has created a Transition Team to plan Rev. Sarah's welcoming activities and support her in transitioning to her new ministry at Good Shepherd. The Team currently consists of Ray Battistelli, Liz Cocke, Melissa Garcia, Shaun Hardy, and Lynn Wood. Please plan to join us for a meet-and-greet with Sarah and her family in Sligo Creek Park on Saturday, June 27 from 9-11 AM. There'll be coffee and donuts! More details coming soon.  

Fall Parish Retreat to Shrine Mont:

Our annual parish retreat to Shrine Mont in Orkney Springs, VA will take place the weekend of October 23-25, 2026. "To provide a place apart for rest, devotion, fellowship, learning and education, where all may grow in the grace of God." Come and connect with your Parish family. Celebrate the 58th year we have crossed the river, gone over the mountain to Orkney Springs. Experience the beauty of fall in the Shenandoah Mountains, education and reflection with our Parish. Also, we can hike, read, relax and play! There will be a bonfire SATURDAY night with smores, arts and crafts, and some competitive card games! Please fill out this form to indicate if you are able to join us this year.

Wednesday Bible Study - 11:30 am in-person with Deacon Linda Mahler



Telephone prayer meeting every Thursday at 9:15 am. The number to call to join the prayer meeting is 518-318-5354. If you have any questions contact Lynette Clark at 301-357-1726.

WARDENS' MESSAGE

Welcome to Our New Rector!!!

We have been waiting and praying for this moment, and we are overjoyed that it has arrived. After a thorough and prayerful search, we are thrilled to announce that the Rev. Sarah Akes-Cardwell has accepted our call to serve as your next Rector. We know this community has been patient, and we are so grateful — because that patience has brought us to exactly the right person.

Sarah is joining us as our half-time Rector — a model that is increasingly common in the Episcopal Church and one we believe is a wonderful fit for Good Shepherd at this moment in our life together. In practice, that means Sarah will be with us most Sundays, with one Sunday off per month, and in the office one to two days per week. We’ll share more about office hours and rhythms as her start date approaches. Sarah’s gifts as a preacher, a pastor, and a leader are a wonderful match for this community, and we cannot wait for you to get to know her. Her first Sunday with us will be August 23.

Please join us in welcoming Sarah, her wife Amanda (Rev Amanda Akes-Cardwell), and their son Sam as they make their home among us. The Transition Team has planned a meet-and-greet with Sarah and her family in Sligo Creek Park on Saturday, June 27 from 9-11 AM. There'll be coffee and donuts! More details coming soon. 

GOOD SHEPHERD EPISCOPAL CHURCH

818 UNIVERSITY BLVD. WEST, SILVER SPRING, MD 20901

Quick Links: GS website GS facebook

GS YouTube

Episcopal Diocese

Questions/Comments Form