Church of the Good Shepherd

The Church of the Good Shepherd (COGS) is a joint Episcopal-Lutheran parish located at 9441 Grayson Parkway in the Baywood area between Galax and Independence, Virginia. The congregation worships in a building blessed and consecrated on July 6, 2025, and holds Sunday services at 11:00 AM that rotate between Episcopal and Lutheran liturgical traditions, drawing from the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer and the ELCA Book of Worship. Services are accessible both in person and via Zoom, reflecting the parish's commitment to broad hospitality.

This wiki documents the life of the congregation as captured in its calendar events, website pages, and parish records. It covers worship services led by a rotating roster of clergy and lay leaders, the work of governance bodies such as the Vestry Council and its committees, active formation and education programming, and a growing portfolio of outreach and mission activities. The parish is currently in a pastoral transition, operating without a settled pastor while the Search Committee pursues a new call.

Beyond Sunday worship, Good Shepherd hosts a wide range of community programming—including weekly yoga sessions, Bible study, a permaculture Food Forest Garden developed in partnership with the Grayson Permaculture Group, and community gatherings such as Oktoberfest and the annual Blessing of the Animals. The parish also maintains dog-friendly policies, a columbarium, a labyrinth, and a playground on its grounds, signaling a welcoming posture toward both members and the wider Galax-area community.

This wiki is intended primarily for parish leadership and engaged members who want quick, reliable access to information about congregational life, upcoming events, ministry structures, and the people who serve the church. Pages are drawn directly from the parish website and calendar system and are updated as new information is ingested.