GAMC0944
November 3, 2009

Presbyterian Health, Education and Welfare Association seeks nominations to recognize social justice ministries

Contact:
Mindy Marchal, (502) 569-5212

LOUISVILLE, Ky. —  The Presbyterian Health, Education and Welfare Association (PHEWA) is seeking nominations for five awards that will be celebrated during the 219th General Assembly in Minneapolis, Minn., on July 5, 2010. The five awards are presented by PHEWA member organizations.

“There are a lot of good people out there doing remarkable work with others who find themselves marginalized or forgotten. These awards recognize those ministries and, by doing so, help to remind us of God’s call to love kindness and do justice,” stated Nancy Troy, PHEWA executive director from 2000 to 2009.

PHEWA seeks nominations for:

• The first biennial Faith in Action Award given by the Presbyterian Aids Network (PAN). Nominees for this award should include congregations that, through prayerful action and through their ministry, walk alongside sisters and brothers who are infected or affected by HIV/AIDS; initiating or supporting activities within the United States in meaningful and lasting ways. The ministry should be able to show increased sensitivity to the issue and demonstrate a positive impact on those affected. The recipient congregation will be one that shows God’s unconditional love for all people by striving to break down the walls of stigma and discrimination around HIV/AIDS.
• The Community Transformation Award is given by the Presbyterian Association for Community Transformation (PACT). Nominees for this award should be PC(USA) congregations that, either through ecumenical or interfaith community ministry, or through a special project of the congregation, have been faithful, creative and effective in their ministry to and with the community.
• The Nancy Jennings Award is given by Presbyterians for Disability Concerns (PDC). Nominees for this award should be a person, congregation or other PC(USA) entity that is exemplary in affirmation, support and advocacy for the gifts, right and responsibilities of person with disabilities in the total life of the church.
• The David Hancock Award is given by Presbyterians for Addiction Action (PAA). Nominees for this award should be congregations or church professionals that have contributed significantly in the field of addiction prevention, intervention or recovery.
• The Florence Iversen Kraft Award is presented by the Presbyterian Serious Mental Illness Network (PSMIN).  Nominees for this award should be congregations that have demonstrated outstanding leadership in their ministry with those who have a serious mental illness and with their families.

To nominate a ministry, congregation or individual for the 2010 awards, please submit the following information to Susan Stack by Feb. 15, 2010: Name of person/congregation being nominated; contact person for the nomination; address, phone numbers, and email addresses for both the congregation and contact person; and a two-page description of why they are deserving of this recognition. While electronic submissions are preferred, nominations can also be mailed to Susan Stack, PC(USA), PHEWA, 100 Witherspoon St., Room 3228, Louisville, KY, 40202-1396.

PHEWA is a voluntary membership organization dedicated to social welfare and justice ministries. Ten networks are part of PHEWA, organized for grassroots implementation of General Assembly policies in the areas of community ministries and faith-based community organizing, addictions, domestic violence, HIV/AIDS, reproductive options, specialized pastoral ministries, child advocacy, disabilities, health and wholeness, and serious mental illness.  PHEWA is a ministry of Compassion, Peace and Justice of the General Assembly Mission Council.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) comprises 2.2 million members in more than 10,000 congregations, answering Christ’s call to mission and ministry throughout the United States and the world.