Sunday was a huge day for the Sharp family – our son was ordained! He is now an official ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, and we couldn’t be more proud. He has worked so hard over several years to reach this milestone and it was truly fantastic to observe the ceremony and celebrate with him and our whole church family.
I was talking with Josh the week before and we were lamenting that in the rush of planning and normal life (he’s still settling into his Associate Pastor job) we didn’t think of thank you gifts for the people he asked to be part of the ordination service. I offered to make thank you cards that he could give them and he loved the idea! So, I pulled out some retired favorites and created 13 of this card. The Fall theme was perfect since we still have some color in the trees and it seemed a good fit for men and women of varying ages and interests. I had them all ready in time for his arrival on Saturday afternoon so he could write them out. He handed them out to folks during the potluck reception after the service, and I really hope that the recipients enjoyed them.
This is the sketch layout that inspired my card design. I used a vertical rectangle instead of an oval because it was better suited to the stamped greeting that I was using. I used some of the Luxe Foliage DSP that was the September POM product. It’s still available and I encourage you to get some while you can!
![Leaf Fall 3 D Embossing Folder [ 159847 ]](https://assets1.tamsnetwork.com/images/EC042017NF/159847s.jpg "Leaf Fall 3 D Embossing Folder [ 159847 ]") | ![Deckled Rectangles Dies [ 159173 ]](https://assets1.tamsnetwork.com/images/EC042017NF/159173s.jpg "Deckled Rectangles Dies [ 159173 ]") | ||
![Cajun Craze 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 119684 ]](https://assets1.tamsnetwork.com/images/EC042017NF/119684s.jpg "Cajun Craze 8-1/2\" X 11\" Cardstock [ 119684 ]") | ![Crumb Cake 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 120953 ]](https://assets1.tamsnetwork.com/images/EC042017NF/120953s.jpg "Crumb Cake 8-1/2\" X 11\" Cardstock [ 120953 ]") | ||
![Basic Beige 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 164511 ]](https://assets1.tamsnetwork.com/images/EC042017NF/164511s.jpg "Basic Beige 8 1/2\" X 11\" Cardstock [ 164511 ]") |
![Courage & Faith Cling Stamp Set (English) [ 161500 ]](https://assets1.tamsnetwork.com/images/EC042017NF/161500s.jpg "Courage & Faith Cling Stamp Set (English) [ 161500 ]")
![Calypso Coral With Copper Border 3/8" (1 Cm) Ribbon [ 168444 ]](https://assets1.tamsnetwork.com/images/EC042017NF/168444s.jpg "Calypso Coral With Copper Border 3/8\" (1 Cm) Ribbon [ 168444 ]")
![Luxe Foliage 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Designer Series Paper [ 168599 ]](https://assets1.tamsnetwork.com/images/EC042017NF/168599s.jpg "Luxe Foliage 12\" X 12\" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Designer Series Paper [ 168599 ]")
![Calypso Coral 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 122925 ]](https://assets1.tamsnetwork.com/images/EC042017NF/122925s.jpg "Calypso Coral 8-1/2\" X 11\" Cardstock [ 122925 ]")
![Cajun Craze Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147085 ]](https://assets1.tamsnetwork.com/images/EC042017NF/147085s.jpg "Cajun Craze Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147085 ]")
![Uninked Stampin’ Craft Pad & Whisper White Refill [ 147277 ]](https://assets1.tamsnetwork.com/images/EC042017NF/147277s.jpg "Uninked Stampin’ Craft Pad & Whisper White Refill [ 147277 ]")
Here’s a picture of Josh giving the benediction at the end of the service. He’s wearing a stack of 4 stoles that he received as gifts during the service that will give him a great start to his ministerial wardrobe. There is a lot of new and history in what he’s wearing! His robe (an alb) is from a retired Methodist minister who attends our church; I purchased the cross at a trading post on the Blackfeet reservation (it was handcrafted by a member of the community); and the green & gold stole is a legacy gift from church friends – his father was a Presbyterian minister for 60 years. The stack of stoles underneath (red, purple, and mult-color) are all new and handcrafted by an incredibly gifted quilter (and fellow choir member) in our church. I know he felt the love and care of our church community as he received all of these gifts!
