Very Important Volunteers
Unity of Raleigh Loves Its Volunteers!
Volunteers are what keep this place running! Folks giving of their time, effort and creative input, all to create a wonderful experience for others – that’s what volunteering is all about! And we at Unity want to make sure that those efforts are recognized, so four times a year — once each quarter — we name a Very Important Volunteer (VIV) and tell their story here. It is a small thank-you for a large gift, and a way for our congregation to know the people whose service it has been quietly enjoying all along.
VIV — Sharon Shehdan
| Name | Mo/Yr |
|---|---|
| Sharon Shehdan | Aug 2026 |
There are some people whose quiet dedication becomes the very foundation of a community. Sharon is one of those extraordinary people.
Sharon is always ready to help whenever someone is in need. She never hesitates to step in—whether it is picking someone up, bringing a meal, helping a congregant with a personal project, or simply being present when support is needed. She gives so generously of her love, her time, and her many talents, asking for nothing in return. She lives the spirit of service in a way that inspires us all.
That same loving dedication has blessed Unity of Raleigh for many years. Eight years ago, Sharon and her late husband, Lin, together with a devoted team of volunteers, took this building down to its bare bones and lovingly transformed it into the beautiful spiritual home we enjoy today. They gutted the interior, redesigned the space, and invested countless hours of hard work, creativity, and love to create the welcoming sanctuary we now experience. It was truly a labor of love.
Today, Sharon continues to care for this sacred space as our Facilities Manager. She oversees the continual maintenance and improvement of our campus with remarkable attention to detail. She has coordinated repainting projects, redesigned rooms to better serve the needs of our Venezuelan church community, helped create the warm and inviting library sitting space we now enjoy, and works tirelessly with contractors and vendors to ensure every project is completed with excellence, wisdom, and the best stewardship of our resources. She notices the details that others overlook and quietly makes sure everything runs smoothly.
Her service extends far beyond our physical space. For many years, Sharon has faithfully maintained the Unity of Raleigh website, and for the past five years she has also created and managed the Unity Holistic Wellness Center website. Until recently, she also prepared and published our weekly newsletter, another expression of her faithful commitment to keeping our community connected and informed.
Whenever a challenge arises at church, Sharon is one of the very first people I call because I know she will respond with her characteristic generosity, calm spirit, and willingness to help. No matter the task, she steps forward with a servant’s heart and a desire to contribute to the highest good.
Sharon’s gifts cannot simply be measured by the many things she does. They are reflected in the love, reliability, generosity, and quiet leadership she brings to every aspect of our community. She has helped shape not only the spaces we gather in, but also the spirit of our congregation.
Sharon, thank you for your countless hours of service, your unwavering dedication, your generous heart, and the love you pour into Unity of Raleigh every single day. You have enriched this spiritual community beyond measure, and we are deeply grateful for you.
You are a treasured part of our church family, and you are loved, appreciated, and cherished by us all.
With love and great appreciation,
Ellen
Every VIV Started by Showing Up Once
There is a place here for whatever you have to give — an hour on a Sunday morning, a skill you have spent a lifetime building, or a willingness to be handed something and figure it out.
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