These words of love and gratitude were offered for Rev. Sharlande Sledge in December 2024 on the occasion of her retirement after about forty years of service to Lake Shore Baptist Church and the broader community.
Kay Bailey, Lake Shore member
Sharlande has created a space brimming with love and kindness, teaching me to be still and center myself in God’s presence. She has gently challenged and nurtured me, helping me find joy in the mystery of God. During our family’s most difficult moments, she has embraced us with love, allowing us to experience the true goodness of God’s grace.
Gillian Bellinger, grew up at Lake Shore; now living in North Carolina
Sharlande, you have been a constant source of wisdom, love, and grace throughout my life. Your presence has made Lake Shore feel like home no matter where I’ve lived, and you have guided me through so many pivotal moments, including the profound honor of performing my wedding. I am endlessly grateful for the ways you have enriched my life with your care and compassion.
Gail Boyd, Lake Shore member
I’ve known Sharlande since 1983, when we shared an office at Tarrant County Junior College. Even then, she opened my eyes to new perspectives on things, and she was wise beyond her years. What a blessing she has been, not just in my life, but in the lives of so many people, both within and outside the Lake Shore family. She has been the always solid ground for the church community.
Rev. Dorisanne Cooper, Lake Shore Pastor 2002-2014; now Senior Minister of Watts Street Baptist Church in Durham NC.
Sharlande was a trailblazer as a woman in ministry before she even knew it, I imagine. She was just responding to a call, responding to a church that offered her a place to serve, living out her gifts of words and care. But she made the road more smooth, gentled others into their own calls, and nourished gifts in them they had yet to recognize themselves. Thanks be to God for Sharlande Sledge and all the ways she has changed us for good!
Naomi and John Fox (Jeremy and Whit, too), Lake Shore members
Sharlande has led us in our faith journey through the ups and downs at church and the ups and downs in our personal lives. She always knows the words we need to hear in times of celebration and times of difficulty. We send many thanks to you, Sharlande, for the faith, joy, beauty and love that we have shared.
Sandy Londos, Lake Shore member
Sharlande has been my go-to person for decades. She’s the 1st one I call when my spirit is weary or my heart aches. Often, she calls before I know I need her.
She taught generations of Lake Shore children and adults how to minister to our community and world. I think “missions” is her secret middle name. She listens with her heart, puts Christ Love into action, and is my example of how to be like Jesus. In 39 years, I’ve never heard her say anything bad about anyone, ever. She listens, shows up, offers comfort, sends cards, brings food, prays, and models patience and acceptance. What I’ve learned from her can never be quantified. My life has been immeasurably blessed by her. As Chair of the Search committee which brought her to LSBC, I know it was my finest role.
Karen Matkin, Lake Shore member
Sharlande is one of the three most influential persons in my life. She taught me about living Christ by example, and that presence is sometimes what you need to give others and what they most need.
Gary, Beth, Tom and David Miller, Lake Shore members
Without Sharlande’s gifted way with words, we cannot begin to express the impact she has made on our family. We (Beth and Gary) joined Lake Shore the same year Sharlande joined the staff, and over the years she has been a cherished friend and steadfast minister to three generations of our family. From Helping Hands, Bridge Builders, and kindred interests in maps, language, and literature with Tom and David, to shared meals, hospital bedside visits, and planning funerals for Boyd and Jo Ann, Sharlande has walked the journey with our family since 1985, always enveloping us in her quiet strength, warm humor, and comforting presence.
Dr. Buddy Powell, Lake Shore member
I cannot overstate the importance of Sharlande’s consistent presence in the lives of my entire family. Across the years and decades, she has been there, ministering to us through baptisms and mission trips and weddings and funerals and illnesses and the passing of loved ones and Christmas Eve services and Easter mornings and on and on and on. She has been the hands and face of Christ to this unique community of faith in so many ways that can only be described as “providential.”
Martie Sauter, Lake Shore member
Sharlande was the caring Angel that checked on Vern and our family every evening in his final health battle. She listened, gave support, prayed over the telephone for our family! I appreciate her so much as she has walked with us through many health challenges. Her manner, love and concern has surrounded us so many times! Love her dearly!
Revs. Rachel and Mike Sciretti – Former Children and Youth Ministers at Lake Shore; now ministers at Chapelwood United Methodist Church in Houston TX.
Sharlande taught us lessons that shaped our ministries: 1) the Sacred is found in the Ordinary; 2) give a blessing whenever you can; 3) there is room for everyone; 4) keep in touch with friends; 5) stay open and responsive to both the joy and pain of the World; 6) and, every person is a beloved child of God, full or promise and light.
Don SoRelle, Lake Shore member
For the 38 years I have been associated with Lake Shore, Sharlande has been the one constant spiritual leader. Hers has been the unwavering vision of seeing the multitude of needs in our community and around the world, and of seeing the opportunity and ways to serve. Hers is an example of a life dedicated to helping each of us become better people and better followers of our Lord.
Rev. Dr. Nathan Stone, Lake Shore Pastor 1990-1995; now a Lake Shore congregant and choir member.
When we worked as a pastoral team at Lake Shore in the early 90s, I could always depend on Sharlande. In making hospital visits I would be at someone’s bedside and look up to see family and friends, but mostly I would see Sharlande with kindness and concern on her face. What a joy to witness her pastoral presence. She made my life and job so much easier. If there is a Pastoral Hall of Fame I vote for her.
Rev. Dr. Brett Younger, Lake Shore Pastor 1996-2001; now Pastor of Plymouth Church in Brooklyn NY.
Among many other gifts, Sharlande made me a better writer. We alternated columns in Lake Shorelines. She wrote poetry and quoted Mary Oliver. I knew I could write limericks and quote Dave Berry. Sharlande loves the written word and taught me to love it too.
Carol Davis Younger, former Lake Shore member and editor of Reflections that has published some of Sharlande’s work.
If you want to ensure your children experience the best spiritual formation churches offer, introduce them to Sharlande’s Helping Hands and Bridge Builders. Then you can watch them love God, neighbors, and self in new ways. Sharlande’s vision means we still cherish photos like the one of two-year-old Caleb sweeping someone’s sidewalk with a broom taller than he is, and six-year-old Graham holding up corn he just picked for a New Mexico food pantry. Sharlande taught the Youngers well.