Local Mission Activities and Support

Kegonsa Elementary School Partnership

Good Shepherd by the Lake partners with Kegonsa Elementary School to support families in need. Backpacks with school supplies are provided in the fall. A giving tree is established to help families at Christmas time and is combined with a cookie bake. The teachers and staff of the school are honored with a special lunch in the Spring.

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cookie bake 2015 giving treeKegonsa Crew

 

 

 

 

 

Bethesda House of Thrift

Volunteers from Good Shepherd by the Lake volunteer at the Bethesda House of Thrift in Madison the second Wednesday of every month and any 5th Friday. The income generated by Bethesda’s thrift shops helps provide funding for their mission. 100 percent of the net profits from the shops goes directly to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

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Stoughton Area Food Pantry

Donations are made to the Stoughton Area Food Pantry each month.  A specific item is designated the “item of the month” and members are encouraged to purchase these items and place them in the designated box. The membership of Good Shepherd by the Lake has generously supported the Stoughton Area Food Pantry for a number of years.

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 Our Daily Bread Community Meal

Stoughton has always been known as a community where neighbors go the extra mile for neighbors. Projects like the Stoughton Youth Center, Head Start, the city’s food pantry and Holiday Fund are just a few examples. Another program in the Stoughton area has been helping the hungry for more than two decades: Our Daily Bread.

The free meal program is offered once a month and is sponsored by seven area churches: Christ Lutheran, Covenant Lutheran, First Lutheran, Good Shepherd by the Lake Lutheran, St. Ann’s Catholic Church, United Methodist Church and West Koshkonong Lutheran.

Each church sponsors the meal once every seven months. The sponsoring church establishes its own menu to ensure the people who attend the program get a variety of meals. Volunteers from the congregation help with anything from making the food to serving, set up or clean up.

While Our Daily Bread is a draw for those who are hungry, it equally attracts people such as the elderly, who might be looking for some socialization and a chance to get out of the house.

If you would like to participate with us in serving this meal, please let us know. Additional volunteers are always welcome.

 

logoStoughton Area Resource Team (START)

Good Shepherd by the Lake provides financial support to START and Pastor Todd serves on the Board of Directors. START provides a safety net for families in crisis. It links Stoughton families with community resources and provides support in housing, health, employment and financial assistance.

 

 

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For 28 years, Habitat for Humanity of Dane County has partnered with 236 families to build simple, decent, affordable homes here in Dane County. Good Shepherd by the Lake is supporting a Stoughton build by providing financial support and by serving lunch to two of the Saturday work crews. Contact the church if you would like to join us in serving lunch.

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CarCare Nete Net Pregnancy Center

With a strong belief in the sanctity of human life, Good Shepherd is a generous supporter of Care Net and its vital ministries.

Since its inception in 1985, Care Net has served more than 9,000 women in unplanned pregnancies, often including their families and male partners. Care Net is a medical clinic and provides all of its services free of charge. Because women deserve a safe place to turn, one with no vested interest in the critical decision she make regarding her pregnancy or sexual health, Care Net offers professional pregnancy related medical services free of charge and confidentially.

Care Net’s residential program, The Elizabeth House, supports pregnant single mothers ages 18-26. For nine to twelve months, Care Net provides a safe and secure environment for mothers to become emotionally healthy and self-sufficient members of the community, while building life skills that will enable each young mom to secure employment, housing, manage money and foster sound decision making while learning effective parenting skills.

 

malc logo_final Madison Area Lutheran Council – Jail Ministry

The Madison Area Lutheran Council (MALC) provides the Chaplains for the Dane County Jail in Madison, Wisconsin. The Jail Chaplains are fully funded by contributions to MALC.

In addition to the Jail Chaplaincy program, MALC provides the organization and  support for the annual South Central Wisconsin Lutheran World Relief Boxcar Loading.

 

The International Friendship Center

Connecting international students to life in the U.S. and life in Jesus Christ

The International Friendship Center is a “home away from home” for international students and their families. Located in downtown Madison, WI, the IFC is conveniently located for college students as well as anyone living in the Madison area. At the IFC, international students can:

  • Make new friends with Americans and other internationals
  • Join free English classes throughout the week and practice speaking English with native speakers
  • Relax in a comfortable setting and enjoy coffee, tea, or hot chocolate with your friends
  • Participate in fun activities!
  • Explore English Bible studies