faqs

We understand. You want to know before you show up.

Let us help you take some of the guesswork out of your Easter morning. Especially if you are a first-time guest, you will find some questions answered here that will make your first visit to Good Shepherd a little bit smoother. And if you don’t see your question here, then give us a call and we’d be happy to find you an answer.

What do people wear? 

Easter dresses and big hats are still the fashion in Episcopal churches, this one included. You will see kids in pastel outfits and women in floral dresses. You will also see teenagers in off-day clothing, and usher in ties or “business casual.” If you want to dress up, you can and you won’t stand out as overdressed. If you want to wear jeans and a polo shirt, you will see other people dressed like you too.  

If you are coming to the egg hunt, remember that we will be outside (weather permitting). Both playgrounds will be open too. The courtyard is artificial turf, but kids will want to run and play.  

Do you have a nursery? 

Our nursery will be open from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM. It is professionally staffed and serves children from six weeks to three years old. Children are also welcome to come to church with you. Our 9:00 service especially will have plenty of toddlers with their families. We try to help by providing coloring pages in the bulletin, but that’s just because parents get nervous. We kinda like the noise of children in the church.  

How long are the services? 

We are especially careful not to go over an hour at the 9:00 service, out of consideration for small attention spans. The sunrise vigil and big service at 10:30 are both just over an hour. 

Where do we park?

At 6:30, the best place to park is the lot on the north side of the church, facing Northaven Drive.

At 9:00, most people park on the south end of the campus, near the a-frame Mackey Chapel. The egg hunts after the service is at the school, so parking at the school end makes it easier to get to the car after the egg hunt. Families who want to drop off an infant or toddler in the nursery can park in the east-side lot between the church and the Town North YMCA. That puts you close to the nursery. 

At 10:30, people will park in every possible spot. There are many handicapped accessible parking spaces near the main church, and many people will drop off family members at the porte cochere before finding a place to park. People of all ages attend this service, so we ask that those who don’t mind a short walk park near the school, leaving closer parking for visitors and older members. As at 9:00, families who want to use the nursery are best served by parking on the east side. 

When and where is the egg hunt? 

The egg hunt starts immediately after the 9:00 service. We will have three areas for three different age groups. The biggest egg hunt will be for children 7-10. That one is in the school courtyard behind Mackey Chapel. We will also have one in our preschool’s playground for kids 4-6 and one in the nursery playground for three and under. The areas will be clean and clearly signed, so if you follow the crowd headed south after the 9:00 service, someone will help you find the place right for you.