Faithful to Christ

We were familiar with the big cup she’d carry around. Her long coat hanging in the hallway. We recognized the boots and backpack. But above all, we knew her smile. Her diligence. Her commitment to Christ. Her faithful heart to serve.

We can imagine that on March 28, 2012, Alice Haley stood before her Lord and heard, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Yes, we can imagine that. When Alice finally laid her burdens down after a battle with cancer, we can imagine her joy in heaven now.

Alice was a faithful volunteer for many years behind the scenes at our Akron Campus. Some of her duties were: stuffing bulletins (of which she organized and managed a team of “stuffers”), binding books, helping in the Finance office, the library, the nursery on Sundays. She was truly a committed and dependable volunteer.

We asked staff to share memories and thoughts about Alice. This is what a faithful servant of Christ looks like:

Alice was a very caring person, willing to do what others would not want to. Just like Jesus. She served from her heart. She sacrificed for His church, His people, hoping to make a difference in the lives of those who walked through the church doors. Just in the little things. Alice was not one to just do for herself, she truly put others before herself. –Nan Goodenberger

Alice Haley was a very faithful and hard-working volunteer. It didn’t matter what day of the week I would walk the halls, I would see Alice busy helping somewhere. One day she stopped me and mentioned that I don’t look at the center aisle enough while I’m preaching and needed to do so–”It will help you connect to us”–that was her advice! I really appreciated Alice’s faithfulness as did many of our admins and I’m sure Jesus has welcomed her home with open arms. –Pastor Paul Sartarelli

Alice was a great assist to me when we started our new curriculum. She was so helpful–copying, sorting, cutting all the little pieces that go into Kids Ministry. She never complained, always asked for more and really understood the importance of why we do what we do and how the little things are so important. She was also a faithful worker in the nursery, holding and loving our babies! –Rhonda Neumeyer

Alice walked to get to The Chapel whatever the weather with her big winter coat, backpack and umbrella. She would be faithful to come on her scheduled days and whenever you called her. She is the only one that did not hate working with the machine on the 3rd floor that we used for binding booklets. She would make 60 or more booklets at a time. –Rhonda Messner   

Alice served in the Akron Nursery for about a year before she became ill. She was always the first one there and the first one to respond every time we put up the “150″ call for extra help page. She also helped me with a lot of projects for the Kids Ministry – putting together books and things for me. I always got a happy smile from her and she always had a good joke for me.  –Deb Peteya

It was amazing that she would fight the cold/snow/rain/wind to walk or ride the bus to volunteer here. I was so thankful that many found in their hearts to pick her up or take her home. Alice was always thankful for any transportation offered her and would let you know. Alice loved to read, and therefore enjoyed going to the library.  Alice loved to knit and crochet. She was a storyteller and loved to share her stories. Most usually they were funny.  –Elayne Hazlett  

I will miss Alice. I remember that she was very faithful to serve, even though she did not drive a vehicle. She would either take a bus or walk or a combination of both to get from her home to the Akron Campus. I have seen her bundled up in the worst cold weather, and I have seen her arrive red-faced and perspiring in the worst hot weather. She might not have had many financial resources to give, but she gave freely and generously and joyously of her time and her talents. Her giving was not “fair-weather” giving – neither literally nor figuratively. She gave when it was not convenient. She gave when there were weather obstacles or transportation obstacles or health obstacles. –Kathy Stewart  

Alice was a wonderful help to me. She never hesitated to lend a hand or be willing to walk to The Chapel to help, no matter the weather conditions. She shared her love for her family. Alice would beam when asked about her great-grand nieces or nephews. She LOVED showing them off and making them a part of our family as well! She’s a dear woman that touched me more than the tasks she took on for me. –Tammy Kennedy

Alice would always help us put together the books for Divorce Recovery Workshop. She was the best! She was always there with her plastic rain-kerchief and her pull-behind shopping cart. A few words that I would use to describe her are: faithful, kind, gentle, loyal, diligent and just plain sweet. One Christmas she handmade me a set of needlepoint coasters (woven yarn through plastic template) in a beautiful box. It was so sweet and I felt so honored. Alice was always one you could count on to help if you had a need for willing hands. –Julie Davis 

I didn’t know Alice very well, but she was a faithful volunteer—she used to walk here to serve, then walk home. She stopped at the desk often to say hello. I remember when her sister was very sick, she went to live with her to take care of her. She was a gentle soul who cared about others. –Rhonda Birti  

Alice rarely would accept a ride to her home if offered as she walked out the door from an afternoon’s work. She was fine with walking to the bus stop and liked to. Alice enjoyed her tasks to stuff bulletins and work on getting the library in order.  She will be missed. –Colleen Koladzinski

Alice had a servant’s heart. I always appreciated her coming in after the city bus dropped her off. The weather didn’t matter…rain, snow, sun, cold, hot…She was always here ready to help and serve in the Worship and Music Office in any way she could. I always enjoyed her greeting. When I “grow up,” I would like to have a heart like hers. I miss her. –Mary Homsher