5 /5 Christy Bermensolo: This church is one of a kind!!! I previously identified as "spiritual but not religious" for a long time, struggling to reconcile the message of Gods love with the discrimination of LGBTQIA+ practiced at many churches. At the Lutheran Church of The Good Shepherd, I have found a church that is welcoming and accepting of ALL. Through church sermons & adult forums, I have learned so much more about HOW to better be accepting of all; knowing what challenges people different from me may have in the world, and what I can do to be more helpful and welcoming.
It is a congregation that actively helps and encourages me to think deeply about forgiveness, empathy, mental health, social justice, advocacy, our impacts on the world & environment, and what a positive impact religion can have if its used to love, care for, and serve others.
It has a pastoral staff who create amazing, thought provoking sermons which teach and enlighten.
A youth program which embraces young children into the congregation, encourages youth to participate in ministries which they care about (like LGBTQIA & social advocacy), hosts youth night activities which my kids will not allow us to miss, and provides messages which have lead to some amazing conversations with my children as they travel along their own spiritual journey.