Dear Good Shepherd Parish Family,
The Good Shepherd Players has been a musical theater ministry at our parish for the past 45 years and has delighted us as well as the surrounding community with productions as varied as Titanic, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, South Pacific, and, most recently, Something Rotten! Untold thousands have performed, supported, and attended GS Players productions over the past four and a half decades. Unfortunately, shifting demographics at the church and within the ministry have resulted in a greatly diminished base of volunteers necessary for the successful functioning of this ministry.
On March 18, the Good Shepherd Players board met with Christine+ to discuss the future of the ministry. After reviewing Players’ staffing shortages, lack of volunteers, and other challenges, the board made the difficult decision that it is time to conclude the Good Shepherd Players ministry at the end of 2026.
We are saddened to see the end of this long-time ministry, and yet we still believe there is a place for theatrical ministry at Good Shepherd. At the conclusion of the Good Shepherd Players ministry, we will enter a fallow period of reflection and discernment to see how the Holy Spirit might move us, and in early 2027 we plan to form a committee of parishioners and former Players to discern how a theatrical ministry might grow at Good Shepherd.
In the meantime, GS Players has exciting plans in place before it takes a final bow. This summer, on June 27, the GS Players will put on a casual “Groovin’ in the Grove” outdoor cabaret in the Grove. Then on November 7, we will enjoy a gala event to celebrate GS Players’ history and successes, and to recognize how much the program has meant to the community and our parish. This gala event is still in the planning stages, but it will feature fun, food, fellowship, and song. More information about these events will be provided later this year.
We thank all those who have been involved with this ministry (past and present) over the past 45 years, and we hope to see you at the June “Groovin’ in the Grove” cabaret and November celebration gala.
Faithfully yours,
Good Shepherd Vestry