Advertisement
Holy Week resources and reflections

Churches in six states honored for inspiring ministries

RICHMOND, Va. – Seven churches in six states have received Congregational Leadership Awards from Union Presbyterian Seminary (Union) for their innovative ministry programs. Each church will receive $1,000 to support the congregation in its ministry.

To be considered for the awards, applicants must show a significant change in their congregation as a cause or result of an initiative, high level of congregational support, participation by diverse groups, personal growth of leaders and participants, spirit of cooperation and partnership, and understanding of the needs and gifts of the congregation and the community.

Since 1991, 110 churches in 29 states have received the annual awards.

The 2015 Union Congregational Leadership Award recipients are as follows:

White Rock Presbyterian Church, Los Alamos, New Mexico, was given the Elinor Curry Award, which recognizes ministries of outreach and social concern. White Rock is currently assisting many projects in the Navajo Nation which focus on personal betterment through their partnership with the House of Fellowship, a small Navajo Indian congregation.

First Presbyterian Church, Great Fall, Montana, received the James Goodpasture Award, which recognizes congregations that extend hospitality to persons with developmental disabilities. Peace Place is a ministry of First Presbyterian that offers loving care at no charge to all qualified families in the Great Fall community. Each of their families share one thing: their precious young child is chronically ill, psychologically or medically fragile.

Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Simpsonville, South Carolina, was honored with the Tolly Thompson Award, which recognizes congregations creatively meeting a vital need in Christian education. Eastminster’s drama and music Christian education program gives local children a way to immediately connect with children in the congregation, providing a ministry that reaches out to children’s hospitals, nursing homes and other churches.

Westminster Presbyterian Church, Buffalo, New York, received the Katherine Hawes Award, which recognizes ministries that engage youth in all areas of the church’s mission, extending beyond the church into the community and the world. The youth fundraise all year for an annual mission trip to Hartford, Maine, where they assist the community in preparing for winter. The youth bunk and worship daily with the Hartford Community Church. The Hartford church then sends their youth group to reciprocate in the Buffalo community.  A bond was formed between two communities that dwell 600 miles apart, but only inches apart in mission.

Nor’kirk Presbyterian Church, Carrolton, Texas, was given the Al Dimmock Award which recognizes congregational excellence in the empowerment of older adults. Through its Hope for the Homebound ministry, Nor’kirk matches congregation members with specific needs for local elders in their community: transportation, shopping, home improvement and companionship.

First Presbyterian Church, Anderson, SC, was honored with the Ruthmary and Lamar Williamson Award, which recognizes congregations meeting the needs in caring for the elderly who are vulnerable. On Tuesday mornings a dozen senior adults are welcomed to a time of social activities, music and personal enrichment. Rhodes Respite Care provides a faith-based activity program for adults with early to moderate memory impairment due to Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia.

First Presbyterian Church, Clarkston, Washington, received the Sarah Hill Brown Award, which recognizes congregations meeting the needs of preschool and young elementary-aged children. The Learning Club is a local community outreach program with a mission to support the healthy development of the whole child: physically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually, and experiencing the church as an accessible place in the greater community.

The transforming ministries of previous recipients are highlighted in the book “Bringing Good News: 40 Stories of Congregations and the Ministries that Transform Them” (2014). Compiled by Union Professor Emeritus of Christian Education Henry Simmons, and Certified Christian Educator Rita Boyer (M.A.C.E.’10), Prospect Presbyterian Church in New Jersey.

by Union Presbytery Seminary staff

LATEST STORIES

Advertisement