Ms. Sharon Lee Grove Archbishop’s Nominee Holy Trinity, Vancouver & St. Cuthbert, Delta
Upon the presentation of the Order of the Diocese of New Westminster 2020
The introduction of the recipient read at the Service
Sharon’s involvement at St Cuthbert, Delta, and Holy Trinity, Vancouver has been extensive, including as a sound operator, a Trustee and an emergency plumber. But diocesan work brings her here today. She has served on Diocesan Council, on the Canons and Constitution Committee, and on the Diocesan Evangelism Unit, and with Mission to Seafarers and at General Synod 2019. Sharon has also accompanied the Archbishop on many of her parish visits, allowing her to explore the rich diversity of parish life in this diocese.
The Citation as recorded in the Permanent Register of the Order
After moving to BC Sharon’s family started attending St. Cuthbert, North Delta, where she still attends the early service most Sundays. Currently, she is a member of Holy Trinity, Vancouver where she attends the main service which has been life-altering. As a firm believer that actions speak louder than words, she, like many parishioners, has done a multitude of tasks in the parishes she has attended; Prayer Chain, Sound Operator, Altar Guild, Trustee, coffee hour and lunch provider, help with weddings and funerals, greeter and sometimes emergency plumber. She initiated a series of formal gourmet dinners at Holy Trinity, small gatherings where new and not-so-new parishioners could meet and socialize outside of regular church events. These continued until every parish member had been invited. Of course, she did not do this alone and she had a very faithful sous-chef more formally known as the Rector’s Warden. A long-time supporter of Samaritans Purse Operation Christmas Child, in 2016 she became a local area coordinator for the annual shoebox collections using Holy Trinity as the collection centre. Last year her team accepted, packed in shipping containers and drove to the shipping centre, 944 boxes. Each donor who drops off shoeboxes receives a prayer, a heartfelt thank-you, and a candy cane. She has been active in Mothers’ Union, ACW and the Healthy Babies lunch program. Currently the Diocesan Council Lay Representative for Granville Deanery, she is a member of the Canons and Constitutions Committee, several small short- term committees and previously a member of the Diocesan Evangelism Unit, organizing workshops starting with the event at the Vogue Theatre in 2001. She has served as a Mission-to-Seafarers host and General Synod 2019 volunteer. As part of her commitment to Diocesan Council she has been privileged to visit many parishes as a guest, accompanying the Archbishop. It has been a very rewarding experience, - she treasures the opportunities she has had to explore the rich, diverse parish life that is the Diocese of New Westminster.