A Letter from Faith Neece

Dear Good Shepherd family,

I am so excited to be joining the Good Shepherd team as the Minister for Youth and Young Adults! 

I started attending this parish in December of 2024, and I quickly felt at home in the warm and welcoming community here. I have been deeply inspired by your commitment as a church to “love is all,” and I’ve witnessed the many big and small ways you seek to live out this value together. I’m honored to be joining you, and I hope to give back to this place that has already given so much to me.                                                       

Part of the joy I’ve experienced at Good Shepherd has been in getting to know the young people in this community. I’ve had the pleasure of attending EYC over the past several weeks, and I’ve been so impressed by our middle and high school students. They are bright, curious, compassionate, and good friends to one another. And funny! I look forward to continuing to build relationships with our youth and their families. 

I’ve also been encouraged by the vibrant and growing community of young adults at Good Shepherd. It has been a gift to begin getting to know some of you already, and I’m looking forward to the relationships still to come. Young adulthood is an important and transitional time, and I’m eager to help create spaces for connection, faith, and community. I welcome your input and ideas as we grow our formation opportunities and activities.

It is a privilege to be part of a support system for young people. Youth and young adulthood are deeply formative seasons of life. They can feel messy and uncertain at times, but they are also filled with possibility as we grow into the people God calls us to be. I believe the church can be a safe, loving, and life-giving space where young people are encouraged to explore how God is moving in their lives. I’m honored to come alongside you all in your journeys of faith. 

With gratitude and excitement,

Faith