Parking
As a church plant, we have intentionally sought a place of worship that is accessible by public transportation, that has accessible parking for those needing assistance, and that, to greater or lesser degrees, invites our members and attendees to walk around our city. While the lack of a larger traditional parking lot may seem like an inconvenience, it is our prayer and hope that the practice of parking and walking will become an integral part of our discipleship to and life with Christ. Walking invites us to live at God’s speed; it slows us down to the pace of the three-mile-an-hour God we see walking throughout the gospels. It positions us to hear Jesus’ words “Follow me” anew, receiving his invitation to keep company with Him, to see, to hear, to notice, awake to a world alive with miracles.
Thank you for taking the few extra minutes to arrive at church early. Thank you for parking in a way that shows care and consideration for our neighbors. Please park your vehicle carefully and ensure that you do not obstruct any driveways, allowing for easy access to homes and properties.
Church of the Good Shepherd meets at 500 Church St, 22902.
Our Church Building
Handicap Parking
Congregants with mobility challenges are welcome to use the handicap marked street spots adjacent to the building along Church St. They are also welcome to use our lot adjacent to the church.
Our Parking Lot
On Sundays, our parking lot is reserved for:
1. First-time visitors
2. Seniors 65+
3. Households with young kids arriving with one parent
Good Shepherd members- if you are in one of these categories and are easily able to walk from a different parking location, please do.
Drop-off
If you need to drop-off passengers, please use Church St. Please avoid using our parking lot as a drop-off zone.
Spaces Nearby
Lots
On Sunday mornings, Good Shepherd attendees may use the city parking lot located off Garrett St. This lot is a 5-minute walk to our building. Please note that there is an elevation gain along this path on Hinton Ave, right before you get to our building. See map above.
Please note that these lots are ONLY available for attendees on Sunday mornings. If you are coming for another event or service at another time, you cannot park here unless the lot’s availability is explicitly indicated by Good Shepherd staff.
Street
Free street parking is available along Hinton Ave, Belmont Ave, Rialto St, Monticello Rd, Monticello Ave, and Avon St. See map above. To minimize disruption to the neighborhood, please exhaust all other parking options before using street parking spots. Pay close attention when parking your car to avoid blocking driveways or impeding traffic flow.
If you have any questions about parking and accessibility, please send us an email here.
Here are some prayers, poems, and other resources that might deepen our experience of Jesus’ presence as we walk. Resources that might help conform our eyes, our ears, and our imaginations to his.
See the People You Pass | Andrew Carter
The lives they carry
The stories in their faces
The fragments of conversation you catch
The relationships of those walking together
The pain of some you pass like a cry of longing in your own heart
Or the intimacy
And the laughter
And the colour and the youth and age and their differing heights and breadths
Imagine the choosing of the clothes they are wearing
See the person
Notice the beauty of this diversity
The depth and the richness and mystery of our humanity
The beauty and uniqueness of each face
Let this humanity also be your prayer
The understandable and the incomprehensible
Each and every person made in the image of God
Each person known by the Creator
Each person loved by the Creator.
Be filled with compassion
Look upon creation with the eyes of a loving father or mother
Let this walking be your offering
Let this walking be your prayer.
A Collect to Prepare for Worship
“O Host of the House of Prayer, who beckons us this morning to worship, we are grateful for the opportunity to be with your people in your house on your day. As we drive, prepare our minds to worship you in truth. As we park, prepare our hearts to worship you in spirit. As we walk, prepare our bodies to worship you in motion. We come to service not to be served but to serve—allow us the humility of those who bring offerings, even as we make our way to the sanctuary. Yet we know you will minister to us as well, and we will one to another, for we are glad when they say to us, “Let us go into the house of the Lord,” who reigns, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Recommended Resources
The City is My Monastery - Richard Carter
Backyard Pilgrim: 40 Days at Godspeed - Matt Canlis