Welcome to lovingshepherd.org, the web home of Church of the Loving Shepherd. Like the life of a church family, this site is a work in progress. Our intention in making the site available is to let you know who we are as we see ourselves. We offer it knowing that any such seeing is, by nature, imperfect. We hope that it conveys in a partial way what you might experience in a visit here or in a growing relationship with this congregation.
Church of the Loving Shepherd is a community congregation, its life shaped by our worship, by the diverse experiences of its members, by the broad, historic outlines of the Christian tradition, and by the quiet, vibrant life of God’s Spirit in our midst. At its best it challenges members to discover themselves and ways of living that nourish themselves and the larger community. At its most commonplace it offers transforming worship, deeply felt care and opportunities to serve on site and in the larger community. The congregation’s home, Bournelyf, provides a special physical environment for its life, described by some as a “thin place.”
Bless you, and thank you for stopping by.
We Are
Church of the Loving Shepherd is a Christian congregation affiliated with the International Council of Community Churches. That affiliation also connects us with The National Council of Churches of Christ, The World Council of Churches, and the participant denominations of Churches Uniting in Christ. We are, however, a self-governing, incorporated non-profit welcoming members from many Christian traditions as well as other backgrounds.
As a Christian congregation, we strive for an ideal expressed by Richard Baxter centuries ago: “In necessary things, unity; in doubtful things, liberty; in all things, charity.” We affirm the central place of worship in our lives and the importance of Christian sacraments, scriptures and traditions. Like many community churches, we choose to remain independent of dogma or creed, and we respect each individual’s religious or even non-religious viewpoint. We acknowledge that each of us is in a different place on his or her spiritual journey, and that we are called together to support each other in our respective journeys.
Vision/Mission
The CLS Vision—
“To be a community rooted in spiritual consciousness, guided by Christ’s spirit of compassion, called into service, and commited to encourage each member’s journey into God and community.”
The CLS Mission—
“To provide at Bournelyf a democratic Christian fellowship of faith and acceptance whereby through worship, education, programmed ministries and welcoming facilities, members and the larger community find nurture and growth.”
History
In the 1950s our founding pastor, the Rev. Elwood J. Bailey and his wife Doris met with a group of friends for Bible study and prayer. Wishing for a church home, the group established Sunday worship and a Sunday school and organized as the Middletown Community Church. The growing congregation incorporated as Church of the Loving Shepherd in 1968, and it purchased part of a Chester County farm in 1971. Renaming the property “Bournelyf” (from middle English words meaning “spring of life”), the congregation began the long process of restoring its buildings and grounds, transforming them into a church home.
People/Staff
Mark Bailey, Ph.D, Associate Pastor, Organist and Music Coordinator
Holds masters degrees from The Philadelphia Divinity School (M.Div) and Princeton Theological Seminary (ThM), as well as masters and doctoral degrees from the Bryn Mawr Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research. Along with his work at CLS, Mark also teaches in The Center for Social Work Education at Widener University and consults with The Nonprofit Center at LaSalle University.
Linda Clay, Congregational Nurse
Linda advocates, teaches, advises and prays for three West Chester congregations: Church of the Loving Shepherd, Mt. Carmel COGIC, and Rice’s Temple, AUMP. With an MSN from West Chester University, Linda also brings many years of teaching and practicing community nursing to her work. She lives in West Chester with her husband, Aaron.
Patrick McCauley, Youth Advisor
In his teaching work with teens, Patrick emphasizes individual student exploration and questioning in his classes and field trips. His undergraduate degree in Film, his masters degree in Literature from Binghamton University, and his PhD in Theology, Philosophy and Literature from the University of Iowa help him guide students through their personal discovery of religious meaning.
Kathryn West, Congregational Administrator and Volunteer Coordinator
Brings depth to both roles with a BA from the University of Pennsylvania and two masters degrees (MSW and an MA in women’s studies and cross-cultural anthropology) from the University of Iowa. She lives in West Chester with her husband, Patrick McCauley, and their children.
D. John Woodcock, Pastor
John’s ministry has nourished CLS for over 35 years and has extended to the community through his involvement in The Religious Council of Greater West Chester, Bournelyf Special Camp, and service on committees such as the Multi-Cultural Task Force of the West Chester Area School District and the advisory committee to Chester County’s Office of Housing and Community Development. John received his seminary degree from the Philadelphia Divinity School and pursued graduate studies (MA and beyond) in religion and literature at Temple University. His wife Mary Lou has been a source of strength and support for almost as long as he has served CLS.