This is what FAITH looks like

A growing team of Good Shepherd parishioners is bearing witness at peaceful protests at the ICE building in Burlington. This unsigned building at 1000 District Ave, behind the Burlington Mall, is the primary Field Office for New England which means it is the center for Removal and Enforcement Operations.

At 7:00 AM on Tuesday, September 16, a group from Good Shepherd joined hundreds of others from across the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts in support of Blanca, a Honduran refugee and Salem parishioner. Blanca was ordered to the ICE office for the second time in a month where she faced the risk of being detained on the spot or given a 2-week notice to self-deport. She is one of thousands of rule-following immigrants who have been kidnapped by ICE or are at risk of detention and deportation.

The rally for Blanca was organized by Episcopal City Missions along with other human rights organizations. It was in addition to the Wednesday rallies that have been going on for more than 20 consecutive weeks and have grown to 600 people. By peacefully rallying we were able to accompany Blanca, demonstrate moral and political solidarity, and make it much harder for federal agents to detain or deport her without cause.

This video, taken by Rev. Ellie, documents Blanca walking on crutches into her hearing surrounded by Bishop Julia, her rector, her attorney, as well as political and community leaders. In a powerful embrace of emotional support, the crowd sang and prayed her into the building, and rejoiced when she came out later with good news: Blanca may remain in the US for a year and can resume her path to permanent citizenship.

It matters when we show up in the name of faith.

Rev. Eleanor Terry

2025-09-21 Gospel & Sermon, Rev. Eleanor Terry, Rector

Massachusetts Episcopalians rally behind immigrant church member before ICE appointment

Rev. Ken Schmidt

2025-09-014 Bospel & Sermon, Re . Ken Schmidt

Prayer Portals: Twelve Doorways to Divine Presence

Want to learn how to pray?

Want to refresh or begin your prayer life?

Seeking respite in these troubled times?

I am excited to offer a new monthly prayer resource/small group experience at Good Shepherd, starting Sunday, September 14 at 11:30am in-person and on Zoom. Open to all adults and youth ages 10 and up.
Invite a friend and let's begin!

I hope you can join me, Rev. Ellie+

For more information and to register click here.

Rev. Eleanor Terry

2025-09-07 Gospel & Sermon

Theatre With A Twist finds a new home at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Acton

Theatre With A Twist, an Acton-based community theater that focuses on family and education, has found a residence at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 164 Newtown Road, Acton. The halls of Good Shepherd are now often filled with the vibrant sounds of youth singing, dancing, and preparing for upcoming performances, which will also be presented at the church campus. Theatre With A Twist aligns with our church mission of community involvement and inclusion of those of all ages and all traditions,” states The Rev. Eleanor Applewhite Terry, Rector, Church of the Good Shepherd. “We are thrilled to have Theatre With A Twist amongst us.”

Mary Spinosa-Bourget, Executive Director of Theatre With A Twist, commented on her immediate sense that the Theatre and Good Shepherd have similar styles and goals. She describes the two organizations as “collaborators.” “Both of our organizations value acceptance and support for all people without judgment, knowing how important that acceptance is for personal growth, confidence, and joy in life. Good Shepherd feels like a welcoming, safe space in the same way that many families have described Theatre With A Twist.”

The Theatre has a full schedule of productions in the coming months for all age ranges. Visit theatrewithatwist.org to learn about opportunities for participation and to buy tickets for an upcoming show.

The Church of the Good Shepherd is a caring and inclusive faith community in the Episcopal tradition that welcomes, celebrates, and supports all people in worship, fellowship, and various ministries. Visit the church website to learn about worship services and other parish events: goodshepherdacton.org.

Left to right: Director Robin Wilson, The Rev. Eleanor Applewhite Terry, and Executive Director Mary Spinosa-Bourget

El Ocotillo celebrates our sister relationship

On Saturday, July 12th, 2025, a day we expected to be in the village, the community of El Ocotillo gathered for an Acción de Gracias por Hermanamiento which means Thanksgiving for our Sister Relationship. Many people were in attendance, including our scholarship students. The village sent a letter to us which is translated here:

Dear sister community of the Good Shepherd in solidarity,

Please receive a fraternal and warm greeting from the Leadership committee and the scholarship students of Ocotillo. With much affection, we wish to express to you how profoundly sorry we are that you have not been able to visit us as previously envisioned. We understand that current circumstances, in the United States with the deportations as well as in El Salvador with the current regime, are not favorable for your visit. 

       Nevertheless, we remain firm in the hope that a time when we can be together will come again soon. With faith in God, we believe that there will be better times ahead. He gives us the strength to forge ahead, even in the midst of difficulties, and we trust that his will, will reunite us again soon. 

       In the meantime, we want you to know that we hold you present in our prayers and in our hearts. We close with the living hope that you will soon return to Ocotillo. Here we await you with open arms and hearts, full of joy for that day, that with the help of God, will come soon.

With affection and hope, 

The leadership committee and scholarship students of Ocotillo

To view pictures of the gathering click here.

To read about why our trip this summer was cancelled, click here.

Cristosal flees El Salvador

Good Shepherd has a long standing relationship with Cristosal, a human rights organization founded in 2000 by two Episcopal bishops in New York and El Salvador, to address democratic and civil rights concerns following the civil war. It has evolved to become the largest human rights organization in the country and is respected worldwide.  We have participated in courses through Cristosal's Global School three times, including one that was created in collaboration with the El Ocotillo community. Our longtime friend Jeanne Rikkers, the past director of the Global School, and Noah Bullock, the Executive Director, have visited Good Shepherd many times, most recently in November 2024. 

On July 18th we received a letter from Cristosal that begins with this statement:

After 25 years in El Salvador, Cristosal has been forced to suspend operations in El Salvador in response to escalating attacks on human rights defenders, the authoritarian Foreign Agents Law, and the collapse of judicial independence. Our work now continues from our Guatemala and Honduras offices.You can read The New York Times' reporting on this here and in many other news outlets. 

On July 23 Noah (who is now in Guatemala with the remaining staff) and Ricardo González, an expert on the effects of exile, participated in a conversation on Field Notes about the larger issue of exile as a form of political violence that has a domino effect far beyond the displaced individuals. You can access this profoundly interesting interview here. 

Cristosal is raising funds to cover the expenses of its displaced staff. If you would like to donate to this worthwhile cause, please send a check to COGS with "Cristosal" in the memo line. We will forward any donations to them with a letter of solidarity.

Please keep all of the Cristosal staff in your prayers as they navigate this  traumatic experience.

Rev. Ken Schmidt

2025-07-27 Gospel & Sermon, Rev. Ken Schmidt, Deacon Emeritus