When you are around Amy Schulz, you are around a person of joy. Amy has the gift of being able to almost instantly make you feel better. Quick to give a hug, to flash a smile, and to offer a warm and encouraging thought, Amy has been a tremendous blessing to the Good Shepherd family.

Amy was serving on Church Council when I arrived as senior pastor and she offered me a lot of encouragement in those first years of ministry here in Gaithersburg. Previously, she’s served on our Evangelism Committee, reaching out to and mentoring new members, and the Parish Life Committee. She enjoys participating in many fellowship events in the life our church family, including the Book Club. In past years, Amy was a loyal and enthusiastic player on the Good Shepherd Coed Softball Team.

Outgoing Amy is someone who knows how to support her friends, and characteristically she’s played to her strengths at Good Shepherd. Worshipping at the traditional service, Amy’s been a member of our handbell ensemble for many years. (She’d never played handbells until she joined Good Shepherd and decided she’d like to learn – what a feat!)

“Amy's smile and cheerfulness always brighten our bell choir practice,” said Ralph Bunge, director of Shepherd’s Bells. Her sense of humor and playfulness strengthens her bonds with other members, and she “enjoys the ‘Minnesota’ emails I forward when I get a joke about Sven, Olli and Lena,” Ralph added, noting her Minnesota roots.

Amy’s empathy and positive outlook have served her well as a member of our Stephen Ministry team since June of 2009. When I think about Amy as a Stephen Minister, I say, “We are in good hands.”

Amy faithfully visits with a care receiver each week to offer encouragement, care, and to help them on their journey. She is a tremendous example of a layperson who really is having a powerful impact. As our church grows, we all need to see ourselves as a part of the care network and team.

“Amy was trained in the third class of Stephen Ministers, and was commissioned to serve after fifty hours of training,” explains Stephen leader Brenda Kessler. “Amy, one of our youngest Stephen Ministers, lovingly and faithfully supported one of our oldest members during her last months of life.”

“Amy takes her calling to be a Stephen Minister very seriously. She is truly a gift to Good Shepherd,” Brenda adds.

Amy was raised in Elk River, Minnesota. She is a graduate of Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, and has a M.S. degree from American University here in Washington DC. A lifelong Lutheran, she’s been a member of Good Shepherd since 2000. She came to the Washington area in 1998 and works for the Federal Government. Amy enjoys traveling, hiking, photography, trying new restaurants, and her pets.

“Good Shepherd has played a significant role in my life. Meeting so many wonderful, caring people who are like family means so much to me,” commented Amy.

“The church is involved in so many good projects; I’m proud to be a part of our church,” she added.

Thank you, Amy, for supporting our care ministry and being such a good and loyal friend to our church family. -- Pastor Dave Sonnenberg

Amy in Action at Good Shepherd

• At a Stephen Ministry Workshop held at GSLC
• Amy plays in the Shepherd's Bells bell choir
• Amy with her family
• Playing on Good Shepherd Softball Team
• Working the Resource Table at SM Workshop
• Amy on a boat in Alaska
• Amy sightseeing in the Ukraine