The International Family Ministry began in 2005 to help meet the needs of a number of Liberian refugees attending our Church.  A multimedia literacy center was set up with the help of a small grant from Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services and Wheat Ridge Ministries.  Many members and friends contributed to this center, as well as to the recycle program where donations are available to meet the refugees' need for household goods and clothing.
Educational and employment needs continue to be challenging for many of the Liberians.  Many members of the congregation are helping in one-on-one tutoring and mentoring.  Two of our Liberian friends have gotten their driver's licenses, and one is doing cleaning at the church to help supplement her income.  Although progress has been made, there is still a great need for more help in order for them to become contributing members of our society.
Our goals for 2007 include meeting the continuing educational and occupational challenges of refugees, and making our church a place where resources and mentoring are available as needed.

The Mission of the Columbarium Committee at Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is to reestablish more significant relationships between the communities of the living and the deceased through the implementation of walled niches which are available for sale to church members to store earthly remains of these loved ones after cremation.
At the close of 2006, the committee completed the implementation of a second 64-niche unit, which is installed across from the first unit.  Goals for the 2007 year include the continued sale of niches in the new unit, the planning of a formal dedication of the new unit, and expansion of the album stands and flower chart.  The columbarium is a church asset and is subject to the sale of niches to provide the financial support; approximately six niches have been sold in the new unit; all niches have been sold in the first unit.

The Lydia-Dorcas ladies make and distribute quilts for various social service organizations.  Other service projects include:  assemble and send sewing kits  to Lutheran World Relief,  supply Friends Outside families with gifts and food, bring Christmas potluck gifts for FISH to be distributed to the children of those families, and serve with the Memorial Shepherds for memorial and funeral services. These ladies have work hard and give generously of their time and talents in order to further the work of the church and community.  They deserve a hearty THANK YOU for their loving and caring service.

All the women are invited, along with their friends, to join us on the first Wednesday of each month at 12:30 PM.  We meet in the Great Hall for coffee, tea and goodies, and then move to the Fireside Room for a Bible study lead by Pastor Bea.  We have just started a study of the Old Testament and is has not been a dull study!

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The sole purpose of the Mission Mouse Club is to provide entertainment to wheelchair residents of Mission Skilled Nursing Center in San Jose. 
Every Friday morning, our group of 10 people gives their best to sing songs, play the kazoo, share a funny story or play a familiar song on the "Jukebox".  There is a prepared program each week with different themes, such as kids songs, vaudeville, love songs, songs from the 20's or 40's, etc, westerns, Broadway, songs with names, such as "Mary" or "I'm Just Wild about Harry" and "Baby" songs.
If you are wondering, Mission Mouse Club (our theme song) is so named because we substitute "M-i-ss-i-o-n" Mouse in place of the 1950 "M-i-c-k-e-y" Mouse Club song.  This makes us the only Mission Mouse Club in the world!
The Hospital Ministry Of Santa Clara Valley is our sponsor and we are the only ministry of entertainment.  The other church groups visit patients and provide worship services.  Funds to keep this organization thriving are from donations.
Our Goal is to continue to share our lives and talents with the residents of Mission.  A special invitation is extended to any of you to join us.  Kazoo lessons are offered as well as transportation.  We invite you to come visit any Friday morning and enjoy the fellowship by listening or participating!