Ann Carlson was a strong leader. She was a woman of great faith – both in God and in her own God-given abilities. She was a teacher, an educator, a professional woman when that was not such an easy thing to be. She travelled extensively, was always willing to learn something new, never married and had no children.
Our Ann did not let anyone else define her. And yet, she had a large extended family, to which she was devoted – nursing the sick, nurturing the troubled youth, and providing shelter for the struggling members of her family.
Ann Carlson served this church, mostly as the Chair of the Board, for nearly forty years. She raised money for this church, she baked for the UCW bake sales and she put on an apron and worked all such events. She found preachers and ministers to serve here on Texada, and persuaded others to serve on the Board.
When I expressed an interest in serving as a lay minister, she didn’t laugh at my complete ignorance of how that process worked, but rather she looked me up and down with those sharply penetrating eyes and said, “Well – let’s see what you can do.”
She gave me a chance – and more importantly, she encouraged and supported me to explore my calling. And quite frankly, she terrified me! She was abrupt, self-confident, and had a firm grip on the leadership of this congregation.
Our parables this morning, stories Jesus told his followers about the qualities of a good leader, those stories were ones I am sure Ann Carlson took to heart. She cared about the members of this little flock, this faith family, and she was acutely aware and practised faithful stewardship of the financial realities and resources of this church.
She was a good and faithful servant, and we are told died peacefully and without fear. Rest in peace, our beloved Ann, in the arms of the God who loves you.
Hymn #436 VU “Abide with Me”
Our Ann did not let anyone else define her. And yet, she had a large extended family, to which she was devoted – nursing the sick, nurturing the troubled youth, and providing shelter for the struggling members of her family.
Ann Carlson served this church, mostly as the Chair of the Board, for nearly forty years. She raised money for this church, she baked for the UCW bake sales and she put on an apron and worked all such events. She found preachers and ministers to serve here on Texada, and persuaded others to serve on the Board.
When I expressed an interest in serving as a lay minister, she didn’t laugh at my complete ignorance of how that process worked, but rather she looked me up and down with those sharply penetrating eyes and said, “Well – let’s see what you can do.”
She gave me a chance – and more importantly, she encouraged and supported me to explore my calling. And quite frankly, she terrified me! She was abrupt, self-confident, and had a firm grip on the leadership of this congregation.
Our parables this morning, stories Jesus told his followers about the qualities of a good leader, those stories were ones I am sure Ann Carlson took to heart. She cared about the members of this little flock, this faith family, and she was acutely aware and practised faithful stewardship of the financial realities and resources of this church.
She was a good and faithful servant, and we are told died peacefully and without fear. Rest in peace, our beloved Ann, in the arms of the God who loves you.
Hymn #436 VU “Abide with Me”
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