Letter to AUMC Family from Sherry Hanberg.
In 1985 I came to Anaheim United Methodist Church to interview with Rev. Bob Shepard for the position of Business Manager. I knew nothing about the job except what my good friend Shirley Zenner told me. There was an opening for someone to work in the church office. I interviewed with Bob, and he told me he would get back to me. He called back in February to offer me the job. How can you say no to your pastor?
I came to work, and there were no computers, no chart of accounts for accounting, and it was all prepared by double-entry bookkeeping. It started out being bookkeeping and payroll, and as the years went by, there were many things added to this job description. I so enjoyed all the different parts of this pie.
I had so many members through the years that would help with many aspects of the job. Dave Jones was an intricate part of bringing QuickBooks to our office. This was truly a blessing. As the years went by, so many people came into my office and shared their sad and glad times. This is what we called prayer time when I taught Sunday School. Sad times and Glad times. We cried together and had so many laughs and so many meals together.
As the years went by, the members of AUMC became such an important part of my life. THEY WERE MY FAMILY. I have made so many friends here. I have worked for many pastors, and it was interesting to see the differences in their pastoring skills. I so enjoyed them all.
The time has come for me to say “So Long.” After 35 years, I will be retiring on June 30, 2021. I remember saying to Eric; I am just going to stay one year at the church. Well, I guess it was a little longer. I want to thank you all for the love, friendships, prayers, and all the fun times working together for AUMC. There are not the right words to say how much you all mean to me.
SPRC and Pastor James are working very hard to figure out how my job will look after I am retired, but I know you all will be just fine. How do I know this? Well, that’s what AUMC does. We pull together to make it happen; Mary Hibbard taught us that.
God Bless you all. I love you, and thank you so very much for these wonderful years.
Sherry
Dear sweet Sherry, You are like fine wine, even better with age and you have done so much to make our
Church office well organized and efficient. We really do appreciate all you do for us and wish you a healthy
and happy retirement. You have earned this time to enjoy your family and friends, travel and relax too. It
will be hard to fill your shoes! Love and Best Wishes. Deanna
You are right Sherry, we will survive. However, I’m not sure how we will manage. Who will answer all the questions, see us through all the sad and glad times, greet us on Sunday morning, and all the other things you do.
I have cherished our friendship and wish you the very best in the years to come. God Bless
Sherry, sorry to see you leave, but everyone deserves to rest after carrying
a heavy burden for years.
It pains me greatly that my good friend and your husband, Eric, is not right
there with you.
But life is not over,. Remember, I lost Jo, then found
Ann. We have just celebrated 21 years of second marriage.
Life is good.
What a blessing having you holding things together all those years. You made my time on SPRC Enjoyable, and reminded me of time for staff gifts and calculated for me how to divvy it up. You always had a previous letter ready for me to edit and sign with plenty of lead time. You knew every penny when we talked on Finance about salaries and deductions. You loved the church beyond an employee and member and often would say you did not wast a raise but give it to another employee…I have never heard that from any employee! You have truly been a blessing to AUMC both as a member and staff. Hope we can all be back together in church soon.