Saying Goodbye is Always Hard

This weekend will be the final weekend to have Shari Luebbert as Director of our Children's Ministry at the Vineyard. We have been tremendously blessed with her service during the past year as a staff member and for her service as a volunteer before that. Shari has recruited and trained teachers, she's set the weekly schedule for teachers and helpers and has also created some fabulous new outreaches that the Children's Ministry led the whole church in. We will definitely miss her and her family.

Take time to read the following letter from Shari to see that this really is a God thing and a good thing! (God things always are!) We pray that God will bless her and the new staff she'll develop. We also pray that their family will enjoy the opportunity God gives them to 'church' together.

Thanks Shari, for all you've done! God's best to you!

Dear Vineyard Friends,

For several weeks, I have felt a bit uneasy. I could not place my finger on the reason why. In talking with a friend about it, I wondered aloud why I felt a strong connection to the pastor’s wife from NewDay Church. I have been praying for Laurie and Doyal VanGelder ever since I learned two years ago that they had a desire to start a church in Elko New Market. I heard that they walked through their neighborhood and prayed for their neighbors. It sounded like a great idea, so I joined their efforts by prayer walking through my neighborhood. Laurie and I have e-mailed each other over the past couple of years, but it wasn’t until six months ago that we actually met face-to-face.

God recently asked me to spend a day in fasting and prayer for myself. It seemed like an odd request, but after some consistent nudging by the Holy Spirit, I complied. God prompted me to head out on a prayer walk. Instead of praying for others, the walk was a conversation with my dear Friend. We were set to list our house that weekend. We wanted to be closer to town so that my family and I could better serve at the Vineyard, yet my heart felt so unsettled. As I walked by the homes of those I had been praying for these past two years, I asked God if the time spent in prayer was really all He wanted from me here. Was I really just to pray for Laurie and Doyal? If that was it, I would accept that. I won’t minimize the value of prayer, but was this really where my tie with them and this community ended?

Later that morning, I was stunned to receive an e-mail from Laurie titled “Bloom Where You Are Planted.” She asked me to pray and consider if God was calling me to minister in the Elko New Market area by partnering with them. Laurie, Doyal, and I sat down together two days later and we all knew that this meeting was God’s leading. After a lengthy interview and much prayer, they asked me to come on staff at NewDay as their children’s ministry director. I accepted.

In addition to the groundwork between Laurie, Doyal, and me that God laid for this partnership to occur, God is fulfilling a prophecy that was spoken last April by Jody Kingston from Vineyard Church North Phoenix. At the children’s ministry retreat in Estes Park, Colorado, Jody approached me to let me know that God said that it was time for my ministry to begin. She also said that God would bring my husband along so I didn’t need to worry about him. Rick has attended NewDay Church and he likes it. He told me that even if I continue at the Vineyard, he will be attending NewDay. My heart skips a beat to know that my husband is eager to join me at church.

I have loved my time at the Vineyard. I am eternally grateful to Paulette for giving me the privilege of teaching Sunday school. She had faith in me and it made me want to give my best. You, Chris, put an awful lot of trust in me and I didn’t want to let you down. I am thankful that you gave me the opportunity to serve as the children’s ministry director at South Metro. John coached me through two new outreaches. Paula modeled what good worship looks like in children’s ministry. Daris took care of the basics so that I could focus on ministry to the children. Greg took care of my kids so that I could take care of others’ kids. Carly became a friend that shared mistakes with me (sorry!).
I was continually amazed at the caliber of our volunteers. South Metro has some very talented and dedicated people. I can’t even begin to tell you how wonderful it has been to get to know each of the kids. Although I am eager to serve at NewDay, I feel a deep loss. I covet your prayers.

Today, Mother’s Day, is my last day at the Vineyard. Thank you for teaching me to lead. Thank you for also teaching me to follow. I’ve got a lot more to learn, but you set me out on a good foundation.

God bless you all,

Shari