Outreach

Following Christ’s example, our congregation strives to create a more inclusive, welcoming, and just world.

At the local level, our Ministry of Justice and Community Interface coordinates with a number of local Outreach Partners. Members and friends of our church participate one-on-one with these groups to help the hungry and homeless, and to be good stewards of the Earth.

Watch our Community Outreach video for November for photos of our activities. You can also view the November Report on our News page.

On a national level, we support the National United Church of Christ through several offerings a year which support disaster relief in the United States and internationally.

Adopt a Highway – Tramway

Twice a year in the spring and fall, we don our fluorescent vests, get our “grabbers” and bags and set out to clean up our portion of Tramway Blvd. Volunteers are always welcome.

East Central Ministries

COGS participates in a spring workday at East Central Ministries, an organization serving people in the International District. Members help pot plants, label pots, and provide other help to the ECM. It is a great way to get your hands dirty for a good cause.

East Mountain Food Pantry

The East Mountain Food Pantry currently provides food for approximately 283 households, and they are open 15 hrs/week. The Pantry currently has about 50 volunteers, and some of them are clients as well as volunteers. The Pantry spends about $2000per month on food. Clients receive 5-6 days worth of food, but can also come 2 times a week for produce. Other food items are made available as they are received.

Church of the Good Shepherd provides financial support to the Food Pantry which enables them to purchase food from the Road Runner Food Bank at greatly reduced prices. Members of congregation support the East Mountain Food Pantry by volunteering to distribute food on a weekly basis.

Project Share

We participate with Project Share by providing a warm meal to approximately 225 people experiencing homelessness in Albuquerque. We do this twice a year at the HopeWorks Day Shelter, formerly known as St. Martin’s Hospitality Center.

HopeWorks is a nonprofit organization founded in 1985 whose mission is to assist people who are experiencing homelessness by providing resources, opportunities, and HOPE. Volunteer activities include shopping for food, preparation, and cooking, then delivering and serving food at the Day Shelter.

New Mexico Conference of Churches

We are a member congregation of this statewide ecumenical organization of the United Church of Christ, United Methodist Church, Roman Catholic Church, Presbyterian Church (USA), Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, Episcopalian Church, Community of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). For more than 45 years, the New Mexico Conference of Churches has identified areas of need in the state and has developed programs to meet them. A list and details of some of the programs initiated by the Conference may be found here.

New Mexico Interfaith Power and Light

We are a member congregation of the New Mexico branch of this national ecumenical organization whose mission is to engage faith communities and individuals in caring for the earth and responding to climate change.

Southwest Conference UCC

Our primary connection to the broader United Church of Christ is the Southwest Conference. Our church is one of forty-five UCC congregations in New Mexico, Arizona and El Paso County, Texas. Meetings of the Southwest Conference are held each year. Learn more about SWCC on our Resources page.

Family Promise

The Generosity video describes how COGS has supported the Family Promise program by housing families in need in our church building since April of 2020.

We support the mission of Family Promise, to help families who are experiencing homelessness in the Albuquerque community to achieve sustainable independence.

Before COVID hit, we hosted three to four families in the program, providing shelter and meals to the families as they work towards finding a home and graduating from the program. Volunteer opportunities include preparing meals and eating with the families, overnight hosting, and spending leisure time with the families on the weekends.