Deadline is April 1
It’s time to nominate outstanding clergy and laity in the conference for awards to be presented at the 2016 Annual Conference.
Awards to be given are the Bishop’s Five Star Award, the Denman Evangelism Award, the Barbara Boultinghouse Bridge Builder award, the Michael C. Watson Volunteer in Mission Award and the Joseph Benjamin Bethea Distinguished Service Award.
Bishop’s Five Star Award
The purpose of the Bishop’s Five Star Award is to provide an incentive for churches to embrace new ministries each year geared toward growth and outreach. The award enables small and large churches to receive recognition. Criteria include:
1) An increase in Sunday school attendance and/or enhancement of Christian Education ministry,
2) A “new work” that impacts growth,
3) Members received by profession of faith or rededication, one for every 100 members,
4) Emphasis on youth ministries that demonstrate growth and
5) All apportionments paid in full for 2015, or a 25 percent increase in apportionment payments compared to 2014.
Data for the awards are based on 2014 statistics. Recognition will be given to the pastor and one layperson at a breakfast during Annual Conference.
Denman Evangelism Award
The Denman Evangelism Award, established in 1980 by The Foundation for Evangelism, honors pastors and laypersons for responsible evangelism in the local church. In 1981, the national award was introduced to annual conferences to choose a clergy person and a layperson each year. The Denman Evangelism Award honors people who are effective in making disciples of Jesus Christ. This can involve speaking, personal witnessing, inspiring the church to be involved in evangelism, etc. This person may or may not have the best statistical record and may be from any size church. Nominees’ lifestyles bring honor to Christ, the church and works in ways that are in keeping with the United Methodist history and traditions.
Barbara Boultinghouse Bridge Builder Award
The Barbara Boultinghouse Bridge Builder Award, named after a UMC deaconess, is given to a person or organization in the S.C. Conference who has built bridges of understanding by promoting equity and inclusiveness without regard to race, gender, age, handicap or economic condition. It is sponsored by the Commission on Religion and Race.
Michael C. Watson Volunteer in Mission Award
The Michael C. Watson Volunteer in Mission Award recognizes clergy and laypersons who exemplify extraordinary volunteer mission service within the S.C. Conference.
Joseph Benjamin Bethea Distinguished Service Award
The Joseph Benjamin Bethea Distinguished Service Award is presented to a person who has performed outstanding service in working for racial justice. Laity or clergy of the S.C. conference are eligible if she or he has shown a strong commitment to Christian social justice for at least five years (unless the individual is a youth). Specific efforts toward elimination of racism and/or building inclusiveness and/or empowerment of persons considered a minority (racially or ethnically) is a criterion, as is Christian character and servanthood.
All forms for nominations are found on the conference website www.umcsc.org (go to “Resources,” then “Awards and Scholarships”).
Nominations for any of the above awards should be sent to Connectional Ministries, 4908 Colonial Drive, Columbia, SC 29203.
Deadline for all submissions is April 1.
