Good Shepherd, Summerville, Gives Thanks for new Worship Space Shared by Lutheran Church

Father Dow Sanderson (Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 2nd from left) with Pastors Andrea & Nathan Rice and Council President Kathi Peddicord of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church

Father Dow Sanderson (Good Shepherd) and Father Rob Spainhour (Church of the Epiphany)

A message from the Rev. Dow Sanderson, priest-in-charge of Good Shepherd, Summerville

Unity & Kindness
In a world where division and discord are daily headlines, the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Summerville is grateful to share a story of unity and kindness. Our Congregation began about 12 years ago, meeting first in houses and on porches, then in the Timrod Library. For a dear and memorable season, we met in a shared space in Wesley United Methodist Church, and for the last nine years in a rented "space of our own" on Luke Street. Earlier this past summer, the owner of the building (our dear friend Jan Waring Woods) let us know that her own expanding business needed to utilize the space we were occupying, and we needed to move by November 1! We have a beautiful lot on Cedar Street on which our future church will be built, but what to do until that is completed? To our great delight, two of our neighbors extended a helping hand.

First, St. Luke's Lutheran Church Pastors Nathan and Andrea Rice, their Parish Council President Kathi Peddicord, and a whole host of their parishioners extended to us the use of their beautiful and historic chapel at 208 Central Avenue. In addition to a place of worship, they have also offered us the use of a classroom for nursery and children's education. For many years, the Episcopal Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America have been in "Full Communion" (we recognize each other's ministry and theologies as essentially the same as our own). By this kind and generous action, the good people of St. Luke's have transformed a document into an action, the hypothetical into a sacramental sign of love. We could not find sufficient words to express our deep gratitude.

And if that were not already grace upon grace, we have also been invited by Fr. Rob Spainhour and his vestry and congregation, to share coffee hour and fellowship with our own Episcopalian sisters and brothers at Church of the Epiphany, right next door! In addition, Good Shepherd and Church of the Epiphany have combined our Youth Groups and have been meeting jointly since early September. Another moment of Grace in action!

This is an exciting chapter in our congregation's history. We were pleased recently to hire Christopher Karpus as our architect, and we look forward to the beginning of construction in the near future. But whatever direction that future takes us, we will never forget the kindness and generosity of these two faith communities who have responded to us so warmly in a time of need.

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