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We believe that Jesus Christ came to reveal the fullness of God's love for us, and we continue to celebrate that love through praise, sacraments, service, and community.
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News & Events


Welcome, Rev. Becky Zartman Carpenter

Dear Good Shepherd,
I am so excited to be joining you as your priest-in-charge on October 1, and as your collaborator in ministry. 
A little about me: I grew up in a small Episcopal church in the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania, and I’ve always known, even when I was very young, that I was supposed to be a priest. I’m the oldest of five siblings (who have given me ten niblings!) and my mom and dad are still both very involved at St. Matt’s. 
I graduated from Virginia Theological Seminary in 2013, and have been working in an ordained capacity in the church since then. I’ve worked in primarily young-adult congregations, been a college chaplain, a developer of curricula and classes for various Episcopal institutions, a canon at the Cathedral in Houston, and an interim priest. My call within a call is to Christian formation, or put another way, helping Christians reach maturity as people of faith. This means teaching, of course, but also, well, everything else, too. The Ignatian concept of cura personalis (care for the whole person) really rubbed off on me while I was working alongside the Jesuits at Georgetown University. 
My time with you is going to be structured a little differently than you’ve experienced with priests before. I will be your priest, and available for pastoral emergencies whenever emergencies arrive, and I will be working three-quarter time. For us, that means 30 hours a week, with a different priest covering the third Sunday of the month while I am out of town visiting my daughter in Virginia. My husband (the Rev. Les Carpenter, rector of St. Andrew’s) and I are working hard to make our blended family work, and this arrangement allows us to do that, for which I am very grateful. I’ve signed on for two years as your priest-in-charge, and together we’ll be discerning what’s best for all of  us moving forward. 
As far as other passions, I love gardening and learning about native landscapes, history (ancient and medieval, mostly), film, art and playing with our very good boy Boomer. 
I am so looking forward to getting to know all of you!
In peace,

Becky+
The Rev. Becky Zartman Carpenter
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Quick Links

Blessing of the Animals,
​St. Francis Day 
Sunday August 6, 2024

We invite you to bring your furry friends (on a leash or in a carrier) with you to the 10:30 service. If your furry friend would prefer, or is especially nervous, bring a photo. Stuffed animals are welcome! In the spirit of St. Francis, all our animals will be blessed by Rev. Becky.

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The Church of the Good Shepherd
231 N. Church St
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
252-442-1134


Worship Schedule
Sunday: 8:00 AM  and 10:30 AM