Geneva – The World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) said it is seeking nominations for the biennial Sylvia Michel Prize, which honors women who work to support female church leadership.
The Sylvia Michel Prize includes a $5,000 award. The winner will be awarded the prize in Geneva in March 2013.
The prize is offered by the women presidents of Swiss Protestant Churches every two years to a woman in the Reformed church movement who provides exceptional leadership in promoting opportunities for women to serve as leaders in their church and community.
The award is named for Europe’s first female church executive president. In 1980, Sylvia Michel became the first woman to be elected as the church council president of the Cantonal Church of Aargau, Switzerland.
A jury consisting of the women presidents of Reformed churches in Switzerland and the executive secretary of WCRC’s Office for Justice and Partnership select the winner.
The 2013 prize winner will be announced in November. The prize will be awarded at a ceremony in Geneva in March 2013. Applications should be submitted before Aug. 31. The entry form and eligibility criteria are available at www.wcrc.ch or by contacting SMP@wcrc.ch
WCRC was created in 2010 through a merger of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and the Reformed Ecumenical Council. Its 230 member churches represent 80 million Christians. Its initiatives include supporting economic, climate and gender justice, mission, and cooperation among Christians of different traditions.
