At Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, outreach is the living expression of God’s love. As a congregation, we are called to extend care, compassion, and hope beyond our church walls and into the broader community. Through our outreach ministries, we strive to build meaningful relationships with individuals and families, respond to community needs, and share Christ’s love through acts of service.
By encouraging and equipping our members to serve, we seek to cultivate a culture of compassion, unity, and faithful stewardship. Together, we aim to make a positive and lasting impact, strengthening both our church family and the communities we are privileged to serve.
Artist’s Circle
The group began as a small gathering of artists looking for a place to paint—retired individuals who had shared creative time together at different stages of their artistic journeys. When they needed a suitable space, the church, committed to serving the wider community, generously offered the use of its hall.
With its abundant natural light, the hall proved to be an ideal setting for painting. Pastor Kristen warmly welcomed the artists and encouraged their use of the space, helping to foster a supportive and creative environment.
Over the years, the group has continued to meet weekly, building both community and artistic practice. They have also held successful art shows in the church hall, showcasing their work and sharing it with others. The group has remained a valued and active presence in the hall for more than a decade.
Community Meals
The church community meals team has been together for several years, supporting un-housed citizens of Langley with warm, nutritious meals. The team is a group of volunteers from the congregation, who, along with former church members, act with compassion, respect, care and commitment to help build a strong and sustainable community that takes care of all its citizens. The team works with “5 & 2 Community Outreach” organization who provides community connection to vulnerable citizens in Langley’s downtown core. Guided culinarily by Darlene and John Gamble, the team prepares meals such as turkey, lasagna, pulled pork, ham and beef stew dinners, to name a few.
Christmas Hampers
Our annual Christmas Hampers are a meaningful part of our holiday outreach, providing care and support to individuals and families in need during the Christmas season.
Each year, the program grows through the generous contributions of our congregation. These donations help supply groceries, gifts, and other essentials, enabling families to enjoy holiday meals, experience the joy of giving, and strengthen connections within our community. Recipients of the Christmas Hampers are identified through the Langley Christmas Bureau as well as suggestions from members of the congregation.
Little Free Pantry and Little Free Library
The Little Free Pantry, located to the west of the church building, is supplied and stocked with non-perishable food items, donated by the church congregation and community members. The pantry operates on a “take what you need, give what you can” basis. The Little Pantry helps to provide a safety net for those experiencing temporary food insecurity, offering help without eligibility requirements or restriction of hours, and fosters community trust.
The Little Free Library, located alongside the Little Pantry, is a welcoming community space where people can connect through the joy of reading and sharing. Whether it’s a storybook for a child, a novel, biography, or another book of interest for an adult, the library offers something for everyone. Community members are encouraged to “take a book, leave a book,” or simply borrow a book and return it when finished. Every book placed on the shelves is an opportunity to learn, discover new ideas, foster connections, and inspire a lifelong love of reading.
Quilters
The Quilters group has been an anchor outreach group at Shepherd of the Valley, providing over three decades of creativity and service. The group is made up of eight dedicated women who gather each week to design and create quilts in a wide range of sizes. These quilts are lovingly made to be shared wherever there is need—both within our local community and overseas.
The quilters’ goal is to bring comfort and joy to others, whether welcoming a new baby into the world, providing something soft for a child to snuggle with, or offering warmth and reassurance to someone going through a difficult time. Many of the quilts they create have become cherished keepsakes for those who receive them.
Over the years, quilts have been donated to individuals as well as organizations such as Langley Community Services and Baby Go Round, and have also reached international recipients through Emmanuel’s Wish Foundation in Richmond, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Each year, the group also hosts a quilt sale at the church to help raise funds, allowing them to continue this meaningful and compassionate outreach.
Senior’s Christmas Luncheon
Each December, our church joyfully hosts a Seniors’ Christmas Lunch, made possible through generous grants and donations. Seniors from our congregation, the nearby Emmaus Place residence, and the wider community are warmly invited to come together for a festive turkey dinner with all the “fixings,” sing Christmas carols, enjoy time in fellowship, and even share a special visit from Santa.
We are especially grateful for community partners such as JD Turkey Farm, Krause Berry Farm, and AVA Grounds Maintenance, whose generosity helps make this event such a meaningful success each year.
This cherished luncheon has become a highlight of the Christmas season, strengthening connections and deepening our outreach throughout the broader community.
