2015 Senior Celebration Honorees
On April 22, more than 300 people gathered at Washington National Cathedral to recognize the contributions of 43 special people: the honorees of Senior Celebration 2015. Nominated for their service to the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, the United Church of Christ Potomac Association, and Seabury Resources for Aging programs, their stories are truly remarkable – so we are pleased to share them here. Hats off to you, Senior Celebration honorees!
Betsy Bennett, Westmoreland Congregational UCC
Betsy has supported So Others Might Eat ( S.O.M.E.) since 1982 by preparing casseroles; she now coordinates the program. As Assistant Treasurer, she keeps our financial books and electronic records. In addition, she serves as an usher; supports the Prime Timers group; and is representative to the UCC Potomac Association. Her leadership positions have included co-chairing a Senior Minister search.
Inga Blust, St. Columba’s Episcopal Church
Since joining our parish in 1968, Inga has served in myriad ways, most notably on two terms of the Vestry, as Junior & Senior Warden, and as Chair of the Columba Fund Capital Campaign. Inga has held leadership positions over many years in the St. Columba-Truesdale Elementary School Project (STEP), in Winter Haven, our program for homeless women, and in the Stephen Ministry. What she enjoys most is playing second violin in the orchestra and her work as a Stephen Ministry leader. Altar guild, flower guild, chalice bearer, healing minister, usher, theatrical productions…you name it, and Inga has probably done it! We are very fortunate to have Inga’s energy, enthusiasm, spiritual presence and wisdom in our parish and we are very grateful for her volunteer service!
Eda Brawner, Christ Episcopal Church, Clinton
Eda Brawner has been a mainstay of the Music Ministry at Christ Church, Clinton for over 50 years. Her amazing talent ranges from arranging music to singing in the choir to serving as pianist on Sunday mornings. She helps our entire community make a joyful noise to the Lord. Eda rehearses the choir on Saturday mornings. She is also a soloist. She has ensured, by her dedicated service, that there is music every Sunday morning.
Sig Cohen, Seabury Resources for Aging, Ward 6
Mr. Cohen serves on the Senior Advisory Committee of Seabury Resources for Aging, Ward 6, and is very involved in his community. Not only does he help others in his profession as a mediator but he also donates his time to volunteer for a number of organizations. Mr. Cohen founded the Hill Havurah, Capitol Hill’s Jewish congregation, and is also involved with many other groups including Capitol Hill Village, Capitol Hill Group Ministry Board of Directors, and Seabury Resources for Aging.
Sumner and Jean Clarren, Episcopal Church of Our Saviour
Few communities are blessed with the kind of love and service demonstrated by Church of Our Saviour’s Sumner Clarren and his wife, the late Jean Clarren. Sumner and Jean arrived at COS In the early 1970s, initiating decades of service to COS and the greater Silver Spring community through their passion for service and music.
Both Sumner and Jean served on the COS Vestry, Sumner as Rector’s (or Senior) Warden. Jean served many years as chair of the Outreach Commission. They have provided strong support and leadership for C4, the Colesville Council of Community Congregations, an interfaith alliance of congregations whose efforts have helped thousands of area residents with both short- and long-term needs. Together, they formed the backbone of the COS Chancel Choir until Jean’s untimely death in 2014. Sumner sings with us still, and continues to embody the spirit of discipleship laid out for us in the Gospels. Church of Our Saviour is honored to nominate them for recognition at Senior Celebration.
Lola Crawford, Grace Episcopal Church, Silver Spring
Lola has served Grace Church in many ways over the years. She was a member of our Healing Ministry and co-founded Dining with Grace at the movies, a ministry in which parishioners would come together to watch a film and then discuss it. She also served on our Vestry. Lola continues to be very involved with our Sunday School program, helping us form the next generation of Christians.
Joyce Crocheron, St. Philip the Evangelist Episcopal Church
Mrs. Joyce Crocheron has provided dedicated and faithful service to St. Philip Episcopal Church and the community in a variety of key roles and leadership positions over her many years at St. Philip. She is always willing to go the extra mile and do whatever it takes to advance the Kingdom of God.
Under her highly effective and inspirational leadership, the Altar Guild has developed into one of the most effective organizations in the Church. She never fails in carrying out the duties and responsibilities, exemplifying the servanthood qualities of our Lord. She and her team members prepare an immaculately dressed altar that adds immeasurably to the church worship experience for all. Although Mrs. Crocheron has suffered through the passing of her husband and her son in recent months hers dedication and commitment to the service of the Lord and her church family has remained as strong as ever. Her steadfast membership to St. Philip has been a testament to her overall faith.
Arthur K. Dixon, St. John’s Episcopal/Anglican Church
Arthur has been a member of St. John’s since 1978. He has served on the Vestry in many capacities, as Junior Warder, Vestry member, and Treasurer. He was instrumental in reorganizing the choir and in creating a celebration for St. John’s that included every nationality, our famed International Sunday. He is a driving force behind our yearly picnics, as well as our Social and Cultural Committee.
Kojo is our chief cook and bottle washer, and I mean that literally. He is the cook at every function, and is so good at what he does. He is our go-to man; anything anyone wants, “go to Kojo”. Kojo deserves to be recognized not because of what he has done, but because of the type of person he is: good, kind, gentle, compassionate, godly. He treats everyone with total respect, and is known for resolving issues with diplomacy. He voluntarily runs the Treasurer’s Office (not an easy task). I admire him so much. He is the best.
Cynthia Durham, Seabury Resources Home First Residences
Cynthia Durham started volunteering with Seabury’s Home First Residences only two years ago. In this brief period of time, she has become a vital part in each program within the Home First Residences and Age-In-Place® offices. What began as an opportunity to sit in on Advisory Council meetings once a month, has turned into volunteering over 20 hours per week. “I like Seabury because it brings generations together, which teaches and inspires the seniors to stay active,” says Durham. “It also teaches the young about being a senior.”
Cynthia is the Chair of the Resident Activities Committee, encouraging the 20 seniors who live in Andrus House, House of Togetherness and Pleasant Hill to participate in activities throughout the community and with their fellow residents. Her favorite job within the organization is running Bingo on Thursday nights and assisting the caretakers in Pleasant Hill.
When asked about her work with the residents of Pleasant Hill, Cynthia responded with tears in her eyes that Seabury is her favorite place to volunteer because of her interactions with the eight formerly homeless seniors. “All you have to do is give them attention,” she said. We at Seabury Resources for Aging, Home First Residences and Age-In-Place® are a strong, thriving nonprofit organization because of volunteers like Cynthia Durham.
Karl Edler, Collington Episcopal Life Care Community
Karl is Collington’s “man behind the scenes.” He is an integral part of the AV Group, setting up and running the camera and equipment for live broadcasts throughout the community on the large screen in the Collington Auditorium as well as simultaneously captioning the meeting, event, drama production, etc., on our in-house TV. Karl is also our bee keeper. He has set up several bee houses on Collington’s property and the honey harvested is sold in the Country Store. Karl is also an active member of the Woodshop Committee. In this capacity he is also involved with our annual Regatta on Collington’s Lake.
Elise Fisher, Christ Lutheran Church
Elise celebrated her 90th anniversary of her baptism at the very same font and church! At almost 95, she remains a pillar of our church. Over the years, she has served as a teacher of math at Valparaiso, organist, church secretary, and greeter of excellence. Some of her former Sunday School pupils are seniors in our church today! If we need to know where the wooden manger is located, the correct liturgical color, how to speak clearly for the readings, or who is missing from service today, Elise knows. She would have made a superb pastor, like her brother, if women had been allowed in her day. She is a great patron of music, especially the Master Chorale of Washington, the programs at the National Cathedral like St. Matthew’s Passion, the In Series, the Bach Consort, and Reformation Sunday at the Cathedral. What a blessing she has been to our church!
Lin French, St. Mary’s Court
Lin French has been an active resident and volunteer at St. Mary’s Court since her arrival in 2012. Currently she serves on the Resident Association’s Executive Committee as Secretary and is a member and past chairperson of the Food Committee. She has volunteered at the front desk, Market Day sales, blood drives, voter registration, and the monthly religious service. She is part of an intergenerational storytelling project that pairs residents with School-Without-Walls students. Her enthusiasm for staying active is evident in the research she does for community trips and event planning, and in her own promotion of outings to other residents.
Lin worked as a nurse for twenty-five years, serving in a medical capacity in hospitals and clinics, but also as a resource for her patients. This same gift for helping others is still evident in her efforts to connect residents with each other. Lin is a connector who seeks the best for life as a senior. In her quiet time, she enjoys reading, discussing politics, watching movies, writing, and most importantly, adoring small dogs.
Sallie Holder, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, College Park
Sallie Holder first came to St Andrew’s Episcopal Church in May of 1983, after moving to College Park to work with the University of Maryland University College Conferences and Institutes Program. This year (2015), Sallie celebrates her 32nd year at St Andrew’s Episcopal Church and her 50th year as an Episcopalian.
Sallie has served as an usher at St. Andrew’s (20+ years), counter (10+ years), reader (8+ years), and member of the Parish Finance Committee (4+ years). She served two terms on the vestry, was Diocesan region 5 representative, parish pledge secretary (1997-99), and served on the Stewardship committee (2 years), the organ search committee, rector search committee, the congregational care committee (12+ years). Sallie was active with Seabury Resources for Aging (formerly Episcopal Senior Ministries) for 17 years as parish contact (14 years), member of parish council (4 years) and as a board member (9 years). As a Board member, she served on the Delegate Council of the National Interfaith Council on Aging (NICA) and attended the National Council on Aging Conference for 5 years. She worked on Wingspread, a preconference NOCA/ASA workshop on Spirituality and Aging, for 4+ years. For the past eight summers, Sallie has served as reader, usher, flower arranger and altar guild member in the Chapel of the Good Shepherd in Chautauqua, New York.
Alice Gatewood, Calvary Episcopal Church
Ms. Gatewood has been a tireless supporter of a host of ministries at Calvary Church, and has been especially diligent, creative, and effective in her fundraising efforts for the congregation’s Building and Grounds fund.
Ann E. Houston, Lincoln Congregational Temple UCC
Ann E. Houston, a native Washingtonian, has always strived for simplistic excellence. Her numerous accomplishments throughout her life are surpassed only by her modesty. After completing her studies for a career in education, Ann taught in the District of Columbia Public Schools until her retirement in 1986.
Ann has been a long-time devoted church worker, first at Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ and later at Lincoln Congregational Temple United Church of Christ where she became a member in 1982, along with her late husband, the Rev. Ulysses Houston. She is the mother of one son, Jay Houston, the joy of her life. Never one to sit in the pews, Ann taught Sunday School and served as Vice Chair of the Board of Christian Education. She was a member of the Special Events Committee and the Church Council’s Planning Committee. Ann continues to play a vital role in the activities of the church. She uses her computer skills to publish the church newsletter and Sunday bulletins and also sings in the church choir.
Ann remains a faithful and dutiful member of Lincoln, attending every Sunday and participating in worship and activities of the church. Because of her untiring work, her love and generosity, and her humble and willing spirit, it is with great pride that we elect Ann E. Houston as a nominee for the Service of Senior Celebration.
Leonard P. Kelly, Seabury at Springvale Terrace
Dr. Kelly has contributed to the life of this facility for several years. He provides exceptional service by volunteering for different events. He is a leader to the residents and an inspiration to the staff. He always shows diligence and love. In recognition of his knowledge, skills, and tireless dedication to helping other residents, we are pleased to honor Dr. Kelly at Senior Celebration 2015.
Lois Kenkel, St. Matthew’s/San Mateo Parish
Lois has been a dedicated member of St. Matthew’s Parish for many years, sings in the choir, supports our fellowship hour frequently by bringing in wonderful baked goods, sends greeting cards to members for special occasions and condolences, has served on the vestry, and as treasurer for our Episcopal Church Women chapter. When on the vestry, she advocated for and worked toward the installation of a new church sign, which is now close to completion. Lois is a wonderful jewelry maker and sells her jewelry at many of our parish events, donating her profits to the church.
Joyce S. King, Seabury at Friendship Terrace
Joyce King has been one of the “Friendly Faces” residing at Seabury at Friendship Terrace for almost 20 years. In September she will celebrate her 90th birthday. When Friendship Terrace was constructed, one of the amenities purposefully put in by architect Chlothiel Woodard Smith, the first female architect in the Washington, DC area, was the greenhouse on the fifth floor. Since she arrived, Ms. King has been one of the leaders of those tending to the community and resident flowers in the greenhouse and on the grounds. In the greenhouse, some of the plants are grown from seed, and some are donated. Others might be in the greenhouse for “vacation care” while their owners are away on holiday! Joyce also is an active participant in caring for outdoor resident gardens. In fact, all of the tulips on the west side of the Friendship Terrace residence were planted by Ms. King with her grandson! Joyce is an active part of the Friendship Terrace community, attending events (her laugh is her trademark), always wearing a smile, and always sharing her “green thumb.”
Lula King, Faith United Church of Christ
Deacon Lula King is a consistent, dedicated member of Faith United Church of Christ. She was the impetus for the third Thursday Mobile Food Pantry that provides fresh fruits, vegetables and other items to at least 400 households a year. Every Wednesday, 52 weeks a year, Lula and Deacon Ann Sibert travel to Costco to pick up items provided to the church for distribution to the community. Lula and her husband Jesse have donated their services to keep the church clean and have led teams of members to help keep the church clean. Lula led the very successful Deacon Board prayer breakfast and invited Ms. Senior DC and Court to participate. Lula is a native of Selma, Alabama, where her church was one of the first to open its doors to those who were involved in the civil rights movement. After traveling to Selma for the 50 Anniversary, she provided a Women’s History and Black History moment for the children, young adults, and seniors of Faith UCC.
Virginia Mathis, St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church
Virginia “Chee-Chee” Mathis is a long-time member of St. Augustine’s. She raised her children in the church, and from the beginning has been a dedicated member of our faith congregation and a faithful follower of Jesus, taking special care to fulfill Christ’s instructions to “feed the hungry” and to “let the children come to me.”
Over the years, Virginia has as Vestry member and Senior Warden, Lay Eucharistic Minister and Lector, a member of the Lay Pastoral Care team, and EDOW convention delegate. She has planned and participated in annual congregational retreats, CROP Walks, Game Nights, Art & Spirit Coffeehouses, End of Summer Fairs and Bake Sales, Thurgood Marshall Dinners, and Sunday Coffee Hours. For over twenty years, St. Augustine’s has organized a well-attended Sunday breakfast program–Bread for Life–which began as a congregational breakfast gathering on Sunday mornings and expanded to serve anyone who needed a hot home-cooked meal from the community. Ms. Chee Chee, as our breakfast guests have come to lovingly call our ‘head cook” and breakfast ministry organizer has, along with other faithful volunteers, fed hundreds of appreciative guests weekly with delicious pancakes, eggs, breakfast casseroles, sausages, biscuits, coffee cakes, coffee and juice–all served with lots of love. When it comes to cooking and baking, Virginia has one credo she sticks by–everything is made from scratch! For years, Virginia has taught Sunday School, and when her children were young, she organized the children’s games and events for retreats. She is still the “Head Bunny” organizing our annual Easter Egg hunt, coordinating the dying and hiding of baskets of colorful eggs. She can always be counted on to contribute food for a sick or housebound congregant. She’s known to quietly bring in extra food she’s made and give it to a deserving congregant. For any event where St. A’s has a meal or for coffee hour, Virginia generously contributes her delicious baked items, stuffed eggs, salads or casseroles. Recently one of our members, diagnosed with cancer, needed to be treated with a bone marrow transplant in Atlanta. Virginia, recently retired from the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development, readily agreed to stay with him for a few weeks as a primary caregiver. Before the member returned to his Washington, DC home, she organized a thorough cleaning of his apartment, did his laundry, arranged for meals to be delivered and for others to take him to medical appointments. Plus, she and another member drove to Atlanta and picked him up to return him to his home in DC. For all these reasons and because she exemplifies the humble, selfless giving, caring and loving Christian attitudes and service in all that she does for St. Augustine’s and the world around her, we nominate Ms. Virginia Mathis as a worthy senior to be honored.
Joyce McCannon, Episcopal Church of the Atonement
Joyce McCannon first visited Atonement in 1986 at the suggestion of Ms. Shirley Riddick, a former member. After attending for several months, she was prepared for confirmation by Father Robert B. Hunter and Mr. and Mrs. Whitehead, and confirmed by Bishop John Walker at Atonement in 1987. She then became a member of the St. Agnes Altar Guild and St. Ann’s Chapter of the Daughters of the King (DOK). Over the years, she served as Secretary and Corresponding Secretary of the DOK, and held various positions with the Altar Guild, serving several terms as Director since 2007. She also served on the Vestry and as Secretary of the Vestry Finance Committee. She has served as a Licensed Lay Eucharistic Minister at Atonement since 1987 and at the National Cathedral since 1996, and as a Licensed Lay Eucharistic Visitor at Atonement. From 2009 to 2013, she served as church secretary.
Shirley R. Moseley, Peoples Congregational UCC
Shirley Moseley has served Peoples Congregational UCC in myriad capacities, including: Chair, Diaconate Board; Vacation Bible School Instructor; Church School Instructor (Nursery, Grades 5th & 6th); Girl Scout Leader; Church Clerk; President & Treasurer of January-February-March Birth month Club; Board Member, Peoples Neighborhood Federal Credit Union; Member, Assistant Director & Current Director of the Peoples Food Pantry; Member, Peoples Congregational UCC Anniversary Committee (Ongoing); Member, New Sanctuary Committee; Co-Chair, Confirmation Class. We are extremely pleased to honor Shirley Moseley at Senior Celebration.
Beatrice Moulton, The Church of the Epiphany
Beatrice has been the heart and leader of Epiphany’s Altar Guild for fifteen years. She has served on the vestry and the Seminarian Lay Committee, and she has been an inspiration to many through her commitment to prayer.
Col. John H. Newby, Episcopal congregation at Knollwood Military Retirement Community
Since 2011, Colonel John Newby has been an active member of the Episcopal congregation at Knollwood, the Army Distaff Foundation retirement community near Rock Creek Park in Washington, D.C. Recently, he chaired the search committee for a new Episcopal chaplain. He is also a reader and usher, and serves as the Episcopal coordinator on Knollwood’s chapel/religious life committee. Col Newby is a lay reader for Knollwood Episcopal services, as well as at other denominations’ services. He assists the chaplain as Eucharistic server/chalicist, and distributes the elements to residents unable to attend chapel services. Before the service, he sets up the sound system, puts the hymn numbers up on the hymn board, and ensures that the candles are lit. He assists the altar guild in changing the altar hangings for the different liturgical seasons. When the chaplain is away, he secures supply clergy. Colonel Newby also remains a member of St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church/Dupont Circle, which he first joined in 1986, where he has been an usher, verger, Lay Eucharistic Minister, vestry member (twice), junior warden, acolyte/crucifer, and member of the search committee for a new rector. He has served on numerous discernment committees at St. Margaret’s and assisted with the parish’s homeless meal program and annual rummage sale. At the Diocesan level, he has completed Education for Ministry, has conducted forums and seminars on relevant issues/topics, and served on the Diocesan Commission on Ministry. The Diocese is fortunate to have the many contributions of Colonel Newby to the Church.
Marie Queen, Episcopal Church of the Atonement
Marie Queen’s service to Atonement has included Clerk of the Vestry, Stewardship Committee Chair (past and present), and Convention Delegate. She currently serves as Altar Guild sacristan, Vestry member, Lay Eucharistic Minister, Lay Eucharistic Visitor, founding member of the Laying On of Hands Ministry, Convener for our seminarian’s Lay Committee, President of the St. Ann’s Chapter of the Order of the Daughters of the King (DOK), Co-chair of the Prison Fellowship Angel Tree Committee. She is a founding member of the Prayer, Empowerment and Praise Ministry and has served as Noonday Prayer Coordinator for the past nine years. She especially enjoys preparing God’s table for the Holy Eucharist and serving as Devotion Leader in Children’s Chapel.
Richard Parkins, St. Alban’s Parish
Dick has been a strong leader in our Crossroads ministry, dedicated to housing the homeless, both when we were operating a shelter in the church and now in our work of providing homes for people who are transitioning into work. On a national level, he spent many years working with refugees on behalf of the Episcopal Church and now heads a non-profit that works tirelessly for peace in South Sudan. He has risked his own safety many times in that commitment.
Patricia Pickering, The Church of the Epiphany
Pat’s ministry at Epiphany is broad and deep. Here is the list of the many ways that she has served and is serving the Church: warden, vestry, search committee, Eucharistic minister, reader, Fellowship Ministry Team leader, Coffee Hour coordinator, diocesan volunteer, Christ Church volunteer, Seminarian Lay Committee, and very active parishioner.
Olive Pope, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, DC
Ms. Olive Pope, a native of Trinidad, came to the United State in 1969 under a sponsorship program, leaving her children in the care of her mother. Her first job was as a domestic with a Vietnamese family in Northwest DC. She missed her family so much that she eventually sent for them to join her in the United States. In 1986 she begin worshipping at St. Luke’s Church with her mother and four years ago she was invited to attend the Outreach Friday morning breakfast feeding program that serves the homeless and disadvantaged. She fell in love with the program and the participants and is happy to catch the bus each Friday at 6:30a.m., whatever the weather, to be a helping hand for the program. She is faithful to her duties. She receives great joy knowing she is helping people less fortunate than herself. In the last year she has also served St. Luke’s outreach program on Friday nights at the Movie Nite In and the monthly luncheon feeding at Christ House. She loves her church and church family and is happy to serve whenever called upon.
Alvester “Sonny” Roots, St. Philip the Evangelist Episcopal Church
Mr. Alvester “Sonny” Roots is our Junior Warden. He is 89 years young. He has served in this capacity for the last five years because he is the most qualified and the only one at this time who would take on this challenging and demanding job. He has effectively kept the church building that houses our daycare in good working order. He employs amazing knowledge, skills, and energy to solve complex maintenance issues, including performing many minor repairs himself His knowledge is irreplaceable. Mr. Roots is also an administrator, an inspirational leader, and president of the ushers. His wife became ill in 2013. Doing the time of her care for more than two years, Mr. Roots still performed his duties as Junior Warden. The passing of his wife was a marvelous time to demonstrate our generosity, love, and affection for Mr. Roots. He is a loving example of the Lord’s will for believers to do unto others as we would have them do unto us.
Carol J. Schwobel, Episcopal Church of the Ascension (Sligo Parish)
Carol Schwobel, a member of Ascension for many years, has contributed significantly to the life of our congregation. Among her many leadership roles, Carol is currently a member of the Vestry; is a member of the Worship and Outreach Committees; is co-chair of the Capital Campaign Committee; is the Chair of a seminarian’s field education committee; is the facilitator for the Shepherd’s Table Casserole Ministry; and assists with many of our youth programs. Carol is also a lay preacher, LEM, lector, PVLEM, and Christian Education teacher. Past leadership roles include Junior Warden, Chair of the Stewardship Committee, Chair of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, and a member of the Rector’s Search Committee. We are pleased to honor Carol at Senior Celebration and give God thanks for her life and ministry in our congregation, in the Episcopal Church, and in the surrounding community.
Edith Scott, St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church
Edith Scott, age 90, has given lifelong service and leadership to St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, as well as to the diocese and national Episcopal organizations. Edith first came to St. Margaret’s to attend its Sunday school; she later taught in and headed the program. Edith was one of the first women elected to the Vestry, where she served several terms as a member and Warden. She completed four years of study with St. Margaret’s first EfM seminar. Her interest in and participation in liturgy prepared her to explain changes in the liturgy to members of the congregation. Edith was a member and leader of the Women’s Committee, and she worked tirelessly as a volunteer and organizer of the annual church bazaar as well as the book and rummage sales that followed. She also served in a program organized by three churches in the diocese to assist recent immigrants and with Episcopal Church Women. Her exemplary and wide-ranging service and her skills as a teacher and leader have been extraordinary and inspiring gifts that continue to enrich St. Margaret’s, the diocese, and the Episcopal Church.
Adam T. Shaw, St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church
Adam Thomas Shawn was born on July 13th, 1934, the twelfth of twelve children, and baptized and christened at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church in the Diocese of North Carolina. He graduated from college in 1957, married Joyce (nee McNeill, of Raleigh) and served two years in the U.S. Army. Adam and Joyce have two children, Adam IV and Carletta. In the early 1970s they joined St. Timothy’s and Joyce and the children were baptized and confirmed. They have served actively in many capacities ever since.
In the earlier years Adam trained and served as the Youth Liaison under Rev. Arthur Underwood. He was a member of the choir for several years. He is a member of Men of St. Timothy’s (MoST) and in 2002 was selected their “Man of the Year.” Adam was elected to the Vestry and appointed as Chair of the Budget and Finance Committee. In 2000 he installed the church’s first automated accounting system, commissioned by the Diocese of Washington. He managed and operated the Automated Accounting System (ACS) until 20013.Adam was among the first Lay Eucharistic Ministers (LEMs) licensed by the Bishop at St. Timothy’s. He is currently a LEM, member of MoSt, Brotherhood of St. Andrew’s, The Senior Ministry, The Property Committee, and the Budget and Finance Committee. We take this opportunity to let him know how much we appreciate him and all he has done and continues to do for St. Tim’s. Thank you, Adam.
Nora Ann Sibert, Faith United Church of Christ
Nora Ann Sibert is president of the Diaconate and a founding member of Faith United Church of Christ. She was the co-leader for the third Thursday Mobile Food Pantry that provides fresh fruits, vegetables and other items to at least 400 households a year. She helped organize a team of church members and friends to provide the food, rain, shine and sleet but not snow. Every Wednesday, 52 weeks a year, Nora and Deacon Lula King pick up the various items provided to the church for distribution to the community. Nora consistently assists Lula and Jesse King in keeping the church clean. She faithfully produces the church bulletin and ensures that youth participate every Sunday. During the last year she served on the Fundraising Committee of the Church, which raised more than $15,000. She is an active participant in the West African Ministry of the church and she helped to provide warm clothing for the pastor of our partner church in Liberia who was in the United States for eye surgery and stayed for several months because of the Ebola outbreak. Nora is also a member of the Community Development Corporation of Faith which is exploring making 90 units of housing available for seniors. Nora recently completed two terms on the Church and Ministry Committee of the Potomac Association of the United Church of Christ.
Frederick Sutton, The Church of the Ascension and Saint Agnes
Fred Sutton exemplifies dedicated ministry and provides tremendous initiative in our communal life. He assumes responsibility for many of the duties of a sacristan, such as visiting a church supplier in Virginia to purchase communion bread and altar wine and making sure all supplies are in stock; he organizes the group that polishes the brass and silver (and motivates with treats and coffee to make a sometimes tedious job entertaining!); he serves on the flower guild; and the altar guild; he helps lead and train the altar servers as an MC; he conducts the Stations of the Cross during Lent; he visits and ministers to people who are sick and shut-ins, praying with them and administering Holy Communion; he cooks for most parish events, even bringing his grill to church to prepare hot dogs & hamburgers for our annual Pet Blessing and other outdoor events. Fred does all this and more with laughter, a smile, and a friendly word. Members of the vestry, therefore, nominate Fred for this honor.
Diana Estelle Terry, Christ Episcopal Church, Clinton
Diana Estelle Terry is a Christ Church kitchen angel who works tirelessly behind the scenes. While involved in many other ministries, such as the Church Thrift Shop, it has been the kitchen where her gifts have bloomed, feeding our mortal bodies with turkey, pasta, and countless desserts. Diana is an active participant in the church’s monthly Community Spaghetti Suppers. She can be found on the serving line dishing up plates of spaghetti along with smiles that make everyone feel welcome. Diana is one of the reasons for the success of the Spaghetti suppers.
Peter Turner, Christ Episcopal Church, Kensington
Peter Turner is the faithful steward of the gardens, grounds, and rectory of Christ Church, Kensington. Under his sharp eye and careful ministry, our campus remains well cared for.
Mary Welker, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Capitol Hill
Mary Welker runs a support group for caregivers at St. Mark’s. She is a trained social worker who has generously donated two evenings a month to this support group, which is attended by members who are dealing with family members and friends with illness or dementia. She also sings in the choir, has taught Sunday School, and participated in many other activities including chancel drama and a book group.
Ella L. Weston-Dawkes, Christ Episcopal Church, Rockville
Since the early 1990s, Ella Weston-Dawkes has volunteered in the office at Christ Church, Rockville, and until recently, often gave at least 15 hours of her time per week. She has assisted primarily with the publication and assembly of our Sunday bulletins, and has insured that bulletins are mailed weekly to our homebound parishioners. She also assists with the assembly of our monthly parish newsletter.
Desmond Williams, Transfiguration Parish
Desmond Williams is a member of Transfiguration Parish in Silver Spring. He is an active member of the Men’s Group, comes weekly not only to Sunday services but to Wednesday worship and bible study, and carries the weight of the community by being our pledge secretary. Every week he gathers up the gifts offered by the faithful and makes sure that their offerings are accounted for– surely and accurately. He interacts with the Parish Administrator to make sure everything has been credited in its proper place. He works with the treasurer to make sure line item issues are resolved. And he does this as a loving service not only to the parishioners but to our Lord. He blesses us by his smile, his sense of humor, his dedication, and his loving service.
Juanita H. Williams, St. George’s Episcopal Church
Juanita H. Williams is a longtime leader of St. George’s, DC, whose countless hours of volunteer service reflect her deep faith and commitment to serving Christ in our community. Juanita co-chairs our annual Stewardship Campaign and helps lead our weekly Bible study gatherings. She sings in the parish choir and coordinates the lectors and greeters for our Sunday services. Juanita is an active member of The Order of the Daughters of the King, Elizabeth Chapter; she is also active in the Episcopal Church Women of St. George’s. However, her many affiliations and numerous activities tell only part of the story. Juanita embodies compassion, curiosity and joy in abundance as a true disciple of Christ in community. Quick to smile and easy to laugh, Juanita is generous of heart and shares her many gifts freely. She always has time to listen, to share a bit of wisdom or a moment of comfort. All of us at St. George’s are grateful for Juanita and her ministry – and the ways she shows us Christ’s love in ways big and small. We are honored to celebrate Juanita H. Williams as part of this 2015 Senior Celebration.
Claude Williams-van Bellinghen, St. James Episcopal Church
A distinguished European bearing, a delightful French accent, and an encyclopedic knowledge of fine Belgian and French cuisine and where to find it–these are what people may first notice about Claude Williams-van Bellinghen. Her fellow parishioners at St. James’, Potomac quickly discover Claude’s heart for helping others and her willingness to work hard to do so. Claude is a main organizer of outreach to Shepherd’s Table in Silver Spring, serving dinners to homeless customers, solving logistical problems on the spot, and bringing volunteers together–some from other churches and others flying solo. She is the one who shows up with Halloween masks, New Year’s crowns, and other seasonal trimmings to help make the Shepherd’s Table truly welcoming. She is the one who makes clear to every volunteer how worthwhile their contribution is. Claude’s ministry goes beyond her church. Each Thursday she spends hours at the Children’s Inn of the National Institutes of Health, where she composes and pens individual thank-you notes. These are directed to people who generously provide gifts and practical help to families enjoying the home-like environment of the Inn while their children are there for tests or treatment. As one who has lost children and friends to cancer, she finds the courage to share that experience with the goal of helping others to talk about it and find some measure of peace. Regarding adult friends, she speaks movingly of “escorting them to death.”
Claude was born in New York of parents who had fled World War II, educated in Paris after the family’s return to Europe, and attended college in the U.S. The daughter of a Belgian Foreign Service officer, she married a U.S. diplomat. Her well-traveled, bilingual background has made her a particularly welcoming presence at St. James’.
Esther L. Wilson, Seabury Resources for Aging – Ward 5
Esther Wilson has served at the Edgewood Terrace Apartments Nutrition Site for several years. She was employed as a Site Manager for Greater Washington Urban League. In 2009, she began working as a volunteer. Ms. Wilson delivers meals to homebound older adults throughout the apartment building. She then assists with the preparation and distribution of meals to individuals in the congregate meal program. Ms. Wilson has a happy smile and an eagerness to serve. At 80 years young, she walks to the site. Ms. Wilson has a warm personality, and she brings a glow to the Edgewood site. Ms. Wilson advises that her sister was her inspiration to become a volunteer. The clients and staff deeply appreciate her dedication and willingness to serve.
