Saying Goodbye

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

With a heavy heart we share the news that one of our core Zero Waste Church team members, Karen Ridout, passed away recently. Karen was a dynamic, thoughtful and caring woman. Her love of God and God’s creation was contagious. We here at ZWC will march on without her in hopes to honor her memory but she will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, church family, and friends. 

Quotes from some of those who knew and loved her:
 

How to encapsulate what Karen meant to each of us, to Nativity, to ZWC? It is impossible. There are no words. I often quote Karen who told me, “You and I aren’t human beings. We are human doings.”  And she was always doing. And doing. And doing.” 

I know how dedicated Karen was to this ministry, and  caring for all people and all life in so many ways. She continually provided us all with great support, encouragement, hope, and wisdom. I know that her vision is for us is to continue because so much rides on it.” 

“How wonderful that this remarkable person, who touched and taught so much to so many, was ours, if for too short a time.”  

“She was a rock in our church—anywhere she was needed. “You have to have a leader,” she would say, “to get things done.” And she was the personification of that advice. Her friendship was cherished, her talents invaluable.”