St. James Episcopal and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church celebrate 10 years together

LACONIA — On Sunday, Feb. 11, St. James Episcopal and Good Shepherd Lutheran celebrated 10 years of shared ministry under the theme “Better Together” with a lunch catered by A Taste of Legacy Café. The Rev Dr. Janet Lombardo, pastor of both congregations, recounted the story of how the “two congregations on the hill” came together to share a church building at 2239 Parade Road.

Forty years ago, Good Shepherd was beginning its ministry in Laconia and needed a home. Good Shepherd reached out to St. James with a request to share their worship space until they could find a permanent one. St. James agreed and so was born a friendly relationship between the two congregations.

Fast forward 30 years, St. James was in need of a church home after downsizing from its building, which became the Boys and Girls Club. After much prayer and consideration, St. James remembered their friends at Good Shepherd and sought to share worship and office space with the Lutheran church on the hill.

As the years passed, the two congregations have found many ways to glorify God by working together. Shared ministries include one pastor, one building, one weekly Sunday worship, weekly lectionary studies, monthly luncheons, as well as outreach ministries, including Hands Across the Table, Got Lunch! Laconia, Belknap House, Afghan Refugee Resettlement, meals for Isaiah 61 Café, 100 Christmas gifts for Laconia children. The two churches feel their collaboration has been a blessing. With many hands they are able to accomplish more good in the community.