Sharon Hart, after much prayer, has decided to step aside as Open & Affirming Ministry Team Leader. Although team members were first saddened when they learned the news at their retreat, they were quick to remember how much Sharon has done during her nearly four years as O&A Team Leader. Sharon's love for this ministry and her passion for the Open & Affirming mission continues as she remains a member of the team.
| Ben Bohren, Team Member and Regional Minister of Christian Church in Northern California and Nevada On Sharon's Leadership: |
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| Sharon is a dear servant of God! What an incredible job she has done in leading us. We would never, never have come this far without her! She has molded us into a team and helped us continue with vision and passion. So we say "THANK YOU!" What a role model she have been for us....grace upon grace offered to our lives and to the vision for O&A ministries of the future. I remember first meeting here in Northern CA when it was basically just Sharon and me. We dreamed with the GLAD Council..and look where she took that dream! What a gift she has given to all of us...GLAD and the O&A Team and the whole church has been touched by her leadership. |
In her note to the team, Sharon said: "It is difficult for me to quit....but I feel that it is time for others to pick up the leadership and build on what we have accomplished so far. We have done some good work and I know that you will be doing much more in the future. Each of you brings such wonderful gifts and graces to this ministry. We truly have functioned as a Team."
| Rachel Frey, New O&A Team Co-Leader On Sharon's Leadership: |
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| It has been an honor to work with Sharon on the O&A Ministry Team these past few years, and it has been a true joy to break bread with her so many times as we have shared our hopes and dreams for a truly welcoming Church. Sharon has been a friend, a pastor, a mentor, and I am truly thankful for the myriad blessings she has brought to my life and to the O&A Team. |
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Sharon will continue to serve as contact person for the team, while other members assume
various responsibilities. Rachel Frey and Christy Newton have accepted responsibility to
co-lead the team and Casey Williams
continues as Council liaison to the O&A Team.
| Vaughn Beckman, O&A Ministry Team Representative to the Institute for Welcoming Resources, On Sharon's Leadership: |
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| Sharon's leadership has always been a tremendous inspiration. She has marvelous talents and insights which have drawn so many of us together in joy. We say "Thank you so much" to Sharon for the wonderful gifts she has to the O&A family, and to GLAD. |
The members of the Open & Affirming Ministry Team are Kerry Armstrong, Vaughn Beckman,
Ben Bohren, Ann Canady, Matthew Chastain, Job Cobos, Rachel Frey, Sharon Hart, Gilbert
Jones, Christy Newton, Jeff Taylor, Casey Williams, and Pamela June Webb.
| Ann Canady, O&A Ministry Team Secretary and Task Reminder On Sharon's Leadership: |
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| Sharon's excellent leadership for the O&A Team and GLAD has given us much . I thank her for being a dear friend. I feel certain that we will honor her ministry among us by going on from where she had led us. She has made us a real team. I look forward to her continued ministry with us. |
| GLAD Alliance Inc. P.O. Box 44400 Indianapolis, IN 46244-0400 |
glad@gladalliance.org | return to www.gladalliance.org |