RICHMOND, Va. – Elizabeth (Beth) Hayes (M.A.C.E.’79), has been named the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators (APCE) Educator of the Year.
Hayes graduated with a Master of Christian Education from Presbyterian School of Christian Education (now Union Presbyterian Seminary) in 1979. She began her work at the Moravian Church in 1985. For over 30 years, Hayes has sought to make her service to the Church relevant to modern times. “With our rapidly changing world, the church needs to be aware of the culture that our children, youth, and adults live in,” said Hayes. “That means letting go of fears and stepping out to use our God-given tools to proclaim the Gospel in new and innovative ways.”
Throughout her years serving in the Southern Province of the Moravian Church, Hayes has served on several committees and development teams. When serving on the Leadership Development Team, she helped with an online learning module — Opening Doors to Discipleship. Hayes served on the Provincial Moravian Educators’ Committee in the Southern Province as they developed an educators’ manual to help churches find the correct educators as well as requirements for certification for associates or directors of Christian education in the Moravian Church.
Hayes helps provide resources and expert advice for the Moravian Church in both the Southern and Northern Providences through the Moravian Resource Center in Winston-Salem. With her leadership, the Resource Center has become an ecumenical resource for all churches that are part of the Moravian Church in North America.
The Awards Ceremony where Hays will be honored will be held on Thursday, January 28 in Chicago, Illinois during the annual APCE Conference, at the Marriott Magnificent Mile Hotel.
by Mike Frontiero, Union Presbyterian Seminary
