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ELCA Good Gifts - The Blessings of Goats

A Confirmation Story

One of the most beloved traditions at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, is our support of the ELCA Good Gifts program, specifically through our donation of animals from God’s Global Barnyard. ELCA Good Gifts is a unique program that supports various ministries within the ELCA and mission partners across 90 countries around the world. Each spring, Good Shepherd invites donations towards the purchase of one goat that will go to a family in need in honor of each person who has been confirmed or baptized in the last year; this year, our goal was 28 goats – 20 for confirmands, 8 for baptisms.

Good Shepherd has always responded with incredible generosity, but this year, we hit record numbers, raising $4,664 which was enough to provide 93 goats to people in need! Lila, one of this year’s confirmation students, was so moved, she even donated her own money to purchase a goat.

Lila said, “After I was confirmed, I got some money and gifts, and when I heard about donating a goat, I felt I should use my money to help other people. I decided to donate a goat because I liked knowing that it could actually help a family by giving them food and something they need. It made me feel good knowing that even though it was just one goat, it could make a big difference in someone's life. When I found out our church raised enough money for 93 goats instead of 28, I was happy to see how big of an impact our church made. It’s such a good feeling to think about how many families will be helped because of everyone’s kindness and donations.”

Goats are a great resource for families in need – from their milk and dairy production, helping with brush and weed control, and being social creatures, they provide multiple usages for communities. With their adaptability to most climates and as they repopulate, more families within the larger community will benefit from those that we have gifted.

Your generosity at Good Shepherd not only makes an impact on the people who receive these goats, but it makes an impact on the lives of our young people as they grow in faith.

“Confirmation has been a really important and big part of my faith. I’ve learned so much and made memories that I’ll always have,” Lila said. “I feel like I got so much closer to God and I will forever be thankful for confirmation because of that. Good Shepherd has always felt like a welcoming place with so many amazing people, and I’m so happy to be a part of this community and continue to grow my faith.”

We are blessed to have so many pastors, staff, and adult leaders to guide families through their faith journeys. The outreach from the congregation to add additional benefits to these milestones is remarkable. If you’d like to learn more about ELCA Good Gifts, you can learn more at their web site: https://goodgifts.elca.org/page/72439/shop/1