Like the proverbial bunny, Carolyn Leah is an energizer and whizzes by, but she is staunchly focused on everything she does! You know her as the enthusiastic head of Beulah’s children’s ministries, but she does much more! Her creativity races with ideas to give people new faith experiences and a connection with prayer.
No matter what question asked Carolyn, the same thread of thought runs through her answers. Whatever her commitment, she wants “intentional impact.” She makes the difference in meaning and purpose. While personally connecting with families, she takes pride in encouraging parents to be Christian educators within their family unit at home.
One of her goals is for children to have a meaningful involvement in and comprehension of what worship means so that they do not feel like outsiders. With joy in her heart, she finds immense satisfaction in guiding children through their formative years and aiding families in discovering how faith connects God to their lives. Realistically, she feels the sadness when too many come and go through our church before there is time to change their lives.
“Worship is important. A big issue today,” she claims, “is in young families where there may not be anyone to form or help shape their Christian walk. That’s why Beulah’s program with Faith Friends is so important. Faith should not be an after thought.”
In five years as Director of Children’s and Family Ministries, Carolyn has engaged all age groups. She favors experiences where people interact together, and she loves to create events. Vacation Bible School, Sports Camp, Sunday school, Lenten Spirituality Center are only some of her involvements. Another passion is striving for inter generational ministry. She says, “Young people need to see faith role models. We don’t mix generations enough in our churches.”
That’s one reason she has organized and headed the enlightening all-church Women’s Mini-Retreats for the past two years, and has taken the lead in forming Beulah's Faith Friends mentoring ministry.
“While honoring the past,” she continues, “We need to be looking to the future in a different way. Tradition is important, but holding onto tradition for the sake of tradition is not always the best idea. We need to adapt and change.” For instance, she cites new challenges presented in electronic resourcing. She emphasizes, “Connecting with families via electronic media is not a wave of the future anymore. It is imminent! We must be open to the potential and possibilities of reaching people with innovations as soon as they become available.”
Personally, she has a marketing degree and her vast experience includes Christian education on many levels. She finds delight with two grown children, Andrew and Jillian. In leisure moments, she enjoys traveling, cooking and hiking. On her bucket list is a desire to hike more national parks and to visit France where her great grandparents were born. She also spends time developing recreational projects at a senior housing community.
Two years ago, Carolyn was diagnosed with breast cancer and a wellness plan took her through 17 chemotherapy/herceptin treatments, 33 radiation treatments, along with numerous tests. She is now cancer free! Being self-sufficient, but with a sense of hope and faith, she never felt she was alone. She learned to accept help, prayers and encouragement, for she reflects, “I could not put a stop on the Holy Spirit leading others.” Her gratitude extends to Beulah’s people who unselfishly embraced her through deeds of kindness as she faced this serious health issue.
As a ministry “planter of seeds,” her mission is personified in a favorite scripture from Luke 8:15 when Jesus speaks the parable about seeds of faith maturing: “But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.”
Carolyn is a beloved angel “bunny” in Beulah’s halls, who keeps going and going because she is energized by God’s Spirit!
From an article by Kitty Paladin for the Beulah Life Newsletter
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