About
Lodging at Good Shepherd
Good Shepherd Mission is part of the Episcopal Church in Navajoland Area Mission and the Southeast Region. We have three churches: St Mark's in Coalmine, NM and St. Joseph's in Many Farm, AZ.
Ringing the Bell for Morning Prayer.
Good Shepherd Mission, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, was started in the 1880's as a medical mission to the Navajo. A pink stone and stucco building was built as the first hospital on the Reservation. Today - we have 50 acres in this high desert and canyon land, 12 buildings, most of them 100 years old, a large organic/permaculture garden that incorporated ancient Navajo gardening techniques, and a beautiful historic church - built out of that same pink stone.
We have a devoted church community in the Episcopal tradition. We incorporate many elements of Navajo spirituality, including our version of the Blessingway Prayer - and are a destination for Mission groups and retreatants looking for beauty, quiet and harmony with the earth.
“Navajo Blessingway Prayer
Jesus Christ, young man chief, God’s almighty son,
Now I’ve made your offering, your smoke I’ve made
Today your child I became, today your grandchild I become
As you say to me I’ll do your commandments I will follow
Just as I pray to you, you do it. Watch over me.
You stand as my defense
In my defense stretch out your hand
Plead in my defense
From wood streams to me be peace,
From all growing things to me be peace,
From breeze courses to me be peace,
From passing rains to me be peace,
From passing thunder to me be peace.
Just by me, let dew fall
Just by me, let corn pollen form
Before me, peace
Behind me, peace
Walking a long life may I be,
Always in peace may I be,
Peace has returned,
Peace has returned.”