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The Church of the Good Shepherd
Calgary
AB
T3C 1T1
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Who we are
The Church of the Good Shepherd has had a ministry on the west side of Calgary for 60 years. The Church is not a building or an organization, or even a program . . . it is a people. We strive to be inclusive so no one feels a stranger for long. We believe it is important to be a parish family welcoming to all races, cultures, genders, and sexual orientation. As Christians of differing perspectives, convictions, and practices, we celebrate in our worship together the love of Christ for one another. Our vision is to be a people who welcome all unconditionally into a community of peace and love where renewal through worship and deepening spiritual practices will equip all with a spirituality for everyday life no matter where your daily travels may take you: into classroom, office, hospital, malls, our homes . . . all the places we live Monday to Saturday. We care about everyone's need for community, for spiritual growth and for love. We believe these things are available through our relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ and one another.
We are a family committed to growing in faith and to serving others as apostles of Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd.
We are a family committed to growing in faith and to serving others as apostles of Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd.
Location of worship / Church Address
Church Pastor
Rev Derwyn Costinak
Parish Priest
408 - 38 Street SW
Calgary,
AB
T3C 1T1
Canada
Phone: 403-246-8123
Download Parish Priest Rev Derwyn Costinak vCard with Bio
Quote of the Day
1 Corinthians 1:9
God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
Denomination
Anglican Church
Anglican Churches in Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Anglican Churches in Alberta, Canada
Anglican Churches in Canada
All churches in Calgary, AB
Affiliations:
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Social Media
Leadership
Leader Name:
Rev Derwyn Costinak
Leader Position:
Parish Priest
Formal Title:
Leader Address:
Tel:
Fax:
Leader Email:
Leader Bio:
Derwyn brings to the Church of the Good Shepherd almost 20 years of pastoral experience from two different Christian traditions. Raised in a Christian home, he was brought up in the Pentecostal church and went on to become a pastor in that tradition for about 13 years. When he and his family moved to Toronto in 2009 so that he could pursue graduate studies at Wycliffe College, a process of openness to other expressions of the Christian faith that had begun 9 years earlier resulted in a significant change for them. Attracted to the profound nature of the Eucharistic liturgy and the openness of the Anglican approach to the Bible and Christianity, the Costinak’s were confirmed at St John’s York Mills Anglican Church in Toronto a year or so later. Following his ordination to the diaconate in May 2013, he arrived in Calgary in August to be the Assistant Priest at St James Anglican Church. Ordained to the priesthood in January 2014, Derwyn spent almost four years at St James before enthusiastically becoming the ninth priest to serve at Good Shepherd on May 1st, 2017.
Derwyn possesses a love of life and a number of interests and experiences that he uses to assist him in his passion to communicate well. He is a musician and motorcyclist, he has worked on a pilot’s licence and has raced karts, is a Formula 1 and Tour de France fan, and believes that “maturity is simply knowing when to be immature” (and you can quote him on that). A lover of dark roast coffee, red wine, and dark ale, his motto is: “you should never drink anything you can see through,” though he does make significant exceptions for water and Scotch. And when he’s out riding his bicycle, he’s often thinking about how “real life” and “church life” come together, so that the two become one and without the quotation marks…
Derwyn possesses a love of life and a number of interests and experiences that he uses to assist him in his passion to communicate well. He is a musician and motorcyclist, he has worked on a pilot’s licence and has raced karts, is a Formula 1 and Tour de France fan, and believes that “maturity is simply knowing when to be immature” (and you can quote him on that). A lover of dark roast coffee, red wine, and dark ale, his motto is: “you should never drink anything you can see through,” though he does make significant exceptions for water and Scotch. And when he’s out riding his bicycle, he’s often thinking about how “real life” and “church life” come together, so that the two become one and without the quotation marks…
Other Church Leaders:
Jason Barnsley, Minister of Music
Kathie MacDuff, Artist-in-Residence
Kathie MacDuff, Artist-in-Residence
Rev Derwyn Costinak on Social Media:
The Church of the Good Shepherd Leadership Photos
Administration
Admin Name:
Holly Young
Admin Position:
Communications Coordinator
Admin Address:
Telephone:
Fax:
Admin Email:
Mailing Address
Driving Directions to The Church of the Good Shepherd
Travel/Directions Tips
Parking
The Church of the Good Shepherd Calgary Service Times
Service Times
Sunday
8 am, Spoken Traditional Liturgy
This service is based on the quiet, traditional expression of worship found in the Book of Common Prayer. When you arrive, you'll find a number of people chatting in the narthex until just before the service begins. Moving up the stairs to the nave, you'll easily find a seat and a small red hardcover version of the Book of Common Prayer. Turn to page 67 to be ready to follow along when the service begins. This service has no music and is spoken throughout as we go through the traditional, Old English liturgy. You can expect it to be done shortly before 9:00am.
10 am, Music and Modern Language
The 10:00 am service is full of music and makes use of modern language throughout. People begin to arrive about 15-20 minutes before the service and either chat in the narthex or sit in the quiet of the nave. A greeter will be at the door to welcome you, and as you go up the stairs the sidesperson will hand you a liturgy booklet and weekly bulletin. The service begins with the chiming of the prayer bell, an instrumental prelude, and then we stand to sing the processional hymn. The liturgy booklet will guide you through the service as we listen to readings from the Bible, hear a sermon, offer prayer and repentence, and share in the bread and wine of communion.
During the offertory hymn, a plate will be passed to collect the money that parishioners have pledged to the church. Visitors are not expected to contribute, so feel free to just pass the plate to the person beside you. Anyone who has been baptized in a Christian church is welcome to receive the bread and wine of the Eucharist with us, and those who have not are most welcome to come forward to receive a blessing. The sidesperson will direct you when it is time to come forward for communion. We finish our worship with a blessing from the priest, a recessional hymn, and the dismissal, "Go in peace to love and serve the Lord."
We usually finish the service by 11:15 am and then proceed downstairs for coffee, tea, and snacks while we spend time visiting with each other.
Wednesday
10 am, Simple Alternative Eucharist
This service tends to be an intimate gathering of those able to take about a half-hour on Wednesday morning to gather for worship. Sitting around a small table with the bread and wine of the sacrament on it, we work our way through the simple liturgy in a relaxed environment. The liturgy used in this service is not what you will usually find on Sunday morning. We express our worship of God with a variety of images and metaphors as well as make use of thoughtful variations of our affirmation of faith and the Lord's Prayer. Each service includes a short meditation on the readings for the day or any special commemoration particular to that day. This is followed by opportunity for discussion among everyone present.
Cancellation of All Worship Services
A Response to COVID-19
All parishes in the Anglican Diocese of Calgary have received direction to suspend all public worship services until March 31st. This is in response to the COVID-19 pandemic so that we can take steps to reduce the potential spread of the virus, especially to those who are most vulnerable. Please click the link below to read the letter from the Very Rev Leighton Lee, Bishop's Commissary.
Rev Derwyn will continue to conduct his work as the parish priest and is available as usual during his Monday to Thursday office hours. He can also be contacted at any time via phone, email, and text. Should you have any questions or concerns during this time, feel free to get in touch with him.
Service Times last updated on the 12th of April, 2020
Sunday
8 am, Spoken Traditional Liturgy
This service is based on the quiet, traditional expression of worship found in the Book of Common Prayer. When you arrive, you'll find a number of people chatting in the narthex until just before the service begins. Moving up the stairs to the nave, you'll easily find a seat and a small red hardcover version of the Book of Common Prayer. Turn to page 67 to be ready to follow along when the service begins. This service has no music and is spoken throughout as we go through the traditional, Old English liturgy. You can expect it to be done shortly before 9:00am.
10 am, Music and Modern Language
The 10:00 am service is full of music and makes use of modern language throughout. People begin to arrive about 15-20 minutes before the service and either chat in the narthex or sit in the quiet of the nave. A greeter will be at the door to welcome you, and as you go up the stairs the sidesperson will hand you a liturgy booklet and weekly bulletin. The service begins with the chiming of the prayer bell, an instrumental prelude, and then we stand to sing the processional hymn. The liturgy booklet will guide you through the service as we listen to readings from the Bible, hear a sermon, offer prayer and repentence, and share in the bread and wine of communion.
During the offertory hymn, a plate will be passed to collect the money that parishioners have pledged to the church. Visitors are not expected to contribute, so feel free to just pass the plate to the person beside you. Anyone who has been baptized in a Christian church is welcome to receive the bread and wine of the Eucharist with us, and those who have not are most welcome to come forward to receive a blessing. The sidesperson will direct you when it is time to come forward for communion. We finish our worship with a blessing from the priest, a recessional hymn, and the dismissal, "Go in peace to love and serve the Lord."
We usually finish the service by 11:15 am and then proceed downstairs for coffee, tea, and snacks while we spend time visiting with each other.
Wednesday
10 am, Simple Alternative Eucharist
This service tends to be an intimate gathering of those able to take about a half-hour on Wednesday morning to gather for worship. Sitting around a small table with the bread and wine of the sacrament on it, we work our way through the simple liturgy in a relaxed environment. The liturgy used in this service is not what you will usually find on Sunday morning. We express our worship of God with a variety of images and metaphors as well as make use of thoughtful variations of our affirmation of faith and the Lord's Prayer. Each service includes a short meditation on the readings for the day or any special commemoration particular to that day. This is followed by opportunity for discussion among everyone present.
Cancellation of All Worship Services
A Response to COVID-19
All parishes in the Anglican Diocese of Calgary have received direction to suspend all public worship services until March 31st. This is in response to the COVID-19 pandemic so that we can take steps to reduce the potential spread of the virus, especially to those who are most vulnerable. Please click the link below to read the letter from the Very Rev Leighton Lee, Bishop's Commissary.
Rev Derwyn will continue to conduct his work as the parish priest and is available as usual during his Monday to Thursday office hours. He can also be contacted at any time via phone, email, and text. Should you have any questions or concerns during this time, feel free to get in touch with him.
Service Times last updated on the 12th of April, 2020
Worship Languages
Dress code:
Children and Youth Activities
Under 12s:
Sunday School and Nursery
There are opportunities for spiritual discovery for children of all ages at Good Shepherd. Sunday School is available for children (recommended ages 4 - 12) during the 10am service.
We use the Compendium of the Church Mouse curriculum, which is designed for one-room Sunday Schools - like ours!
There is a nursery room available for you to play with your babies & toddlers (parents/guardians must remain in the nursery as this is an unstaffed area).
There are opportunities for spiritual discovery for children of all ages at Good Shepherd. Sunday School is available for children (recommended ages 4 - 12) during the 10am service.
We use the Compendium of the Church Mouse curriculum, which is designed for one-room Sunday Schools - like ours!
There is a nursery room available for you to play with your babies & toddlers (parents/guardians must remain in the nursery as this is an unstaffed area).
Under 18s:
Local outreach & community activities:
Other activities & ministries
Special Needs/Accessibility:
Prayers and hymns:
Main Bible:
Hymns and Songs:
Other information:
Average Adult Congregation:
Average Youth Congregation:
Additional Info:
Important Dates & Upcoming Events
Sunday, September 3
• Canned Fish Sunday. In support of the St. Edmunds Food Bank.
Saturday, September 9
• Welcome Back BBQ, 5pm. Bring a side/dessert to share, main dish to be provided (pulled pork!)
Sunday, September 10
• Sunday School resumes during the 10am service.
Sunday, September 17
• Sandwich Sunday. Donations of meat and bread are most welcome. We will be making sandwiches for the Drop-In Centre.
Sunday, September 3
• Canned Fish Sunday. In support of the St. Edmunds Food Bank.
Saturday, September 9
• Welcome Back BBQ, 5pm. Bring a side/dessert to share, main dish to be provided (pulled pork!)
Sunday, September 10
• Sunday School resumes during the 10am service.
Sunday, September 17
• Sandwich Sunday. Donations of meat and bread are most welcome. We will be making sandwiches for the Drop-In Centre.
The Church of the Good Shepherd Photo Gallery
The Church of the Good Shepherd History
Our History
If you look at the Church of the Good Shepherd’s parish list from the year 1958, there were over 140 families, every one of them residing in Wildwood.
There were a lot of Anglicans in this community in its early days! Today, the parish list of the Good Shepherd contains families from all over Calgary, even some out-of towners.
The parish began as an extension of St. Stephen’s church, conducting some of its first services in Spruce Cliff School. On February 27, 1954, the land at Lot 17, Block 2, Plan 2877 H.L. was duly registered with the City of Calgary and construction plans were drawn up. The new church building, at 408 – 38 Street S.W., was dedicated in the fall of 1958 with Canon Archie McMullen as the new minister. The new church quickly reached out to the new community with the organization of a Sunday School, an Alanon group, Women’s, Girls’ and Junior Auxiliaries, Cubs, Scouts, Brownies and Girl Guide groups.
During the 1960’s, the parish operated a food concession at the Calgary Stampede. “Ye Old Comfortable Pew” enabled the parish to substantially reduce its debt and, at the same time, deepen the faith and fellowship of its members.
The 1970’s brought new challenges and a period of rebuilding. In 1978, the Church celebrated the retirement of all debt with a 20th Anniversary Consecration Service on November 26. Since then the parish has been renovated twice, the last time, in 2004, when offices, new meeting rooms and an expanded Narthex were added. The parish now offers art classes in a new studio and meeting rooms to accommodate many community organizations. Installation of an elevator has allowed barrier-free access to all areas of the building. A permanent labyrinth on the front lawn welcomes all those seeking a path of peace and meditation. See our "Walking the Labyrinth" section for more information.
Newcomers find the parish to be a warm, friendly family, open and welcoming to all – a place where no one feels a stranger for long.
Parish Priests at the Church of the Good Shepherd 1958– Present
Canon C.A. (Archie) McMullen
1958 to 1965
Rev. R.S.H. (Bob) Greene
1965 - 1972
Rev. A.R. Thomas
1972 to 1973
Rev. E.H. (Hugh) Christmas
1973 - 1974
Rev. Gordon Dixon
1974 to 1980
Rev. Raymond Brassel
1981 to 1996
Rev. Helen Belcher
1997 to 2006
Rev. Kersi Bird
2006 to 2016
Rev. Derwyn Costinak
2017 to present
If you look at the Church of the Good Shepherd’s parish list from the year 1958, there were over 140 families, every one of them residing in Wildwood.
There were a lot of Anglicans in this community in its early days! Today, the parish list of the Good Shepherd contains families from all over Calgary, even some out-of towners.
The parish began as an extension of St. Stephen’s church, conducting some of its first services in Spruce Cliff School. On February 27, 1954, the land at Lot 17, Block 2, Plan 2877 H.L. was duly registered with the City of Calgary and construction plans were drawn up. The new church building, at 408 – 38 Street S.W., was dedicated in the fall of 1958 with Canon Archie McMullen as the new minister. The new church quickly reached out to the new community with the organization of a Sunday School, an Alanon group, Women’s, Girls’ and Junior Auxiliaries, Cubs, Scouts, Brownies and Girl Guide groups.
During the 1960’s, the parish operated a food concession at the Calgary Stampede. “Ye Old Comfortable Pew” enabled the parish to substantially reduce its debt and, at the same time, deepen the faith and fellowship of its members.
The 1970’s brought new challenges and a period of rebuilding. In 1978, the Church celebrated the retirement of all debt with a 20th Anniversary Consecration Service on November 26. Since then the parish has been renovated twice, the last time, in 2004, when offices, new meeting rooms and an expanded Narthex were added. The parish now offers art classes in a new studio and meeting rooms to accommodate many community organizations. Installation of an elevator has allowed barrier-free access to all areas of the building. A permanent labyrinth on the front lawn welcomes all those seeking a path of peace and meditation. See our "Walking the Labyrinth" section for more information.
Newcomers find the parish to be a warm, friendly family, open and welcoming to all – a place where no one feels a stranger for long.
Parish Priests at the Church of the Good Shepherd 1958– Present
Canon C.A. (Archie) McMullen
1958 to 1965
Rev. R.S.H. (Bob) Greene
1965 - 1972
Rev. A.R. Thomas
1972 to 1973
Rev. E.H. (Hugh) Christmas
1973 - 1974
Rev. Gordon Dixon
1974 to 1980
Rev. Raymond Brassel
1981 to 1996
Rev. Helen Belcher
1997 to 2006
Rev. Kersi Bird
2006 to 2016
Rev. Derwyn Costinak
2017 to present
The Church of the Good Shepherd Historical Photos
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