Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Co-Moderator honored with Women of Impact award
Former PMA president also among honorees at NBPC event


CHARLOTTE, North Carolina — The Rev. Cecelia "CeCe" Armstrong, co-moderator of the 226th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), was among the top honorees at the recent Women of Impact Gala in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The first-time event was held as part of the 48th biennial conference of the National Black Presbyterian Caucus (NBPC) to recognize trailblazing PC(USA) women for their outstanding leadership, faith, dedication and service.
The semiformal gala also served as a celebration of the honorees’ “unwavering commitment to justice, to love and to truth,” said Dr. Phyllis W. Sanders, Vital Congregations Coordinator for Trinity Presbytery. “It is a night to honor excellence, to uplift our shared legacy and to be reminded that our work as women of impact, as disciples, and as change makers” is not done.
Along with Armstrong, the night’s big award winners were the Rev. Dr. Diane Givens Moffett, who served as president and executive director of the former Presbyterian Mission Agency, and the Rev. Dr. Arlene Gordon, a retired presbytery executive and former NBPC president who was honored in absentia as a Champion of Justice and Ecclesial Transformation.

Moffett, founder of Blazing Leadership LLC, thanked God for the gift of life, the ability to “let our light shine,” and for NBPC’s contributions to the building up of Black leaders.
“You are shaping. You are encouraging. You are inspiring. You are giving organic mentorship and leadership — authentic leadership — to those of us who need to be encouraged when we go back to our places and spaces, so thank you so much,” said Moffett, who was honored as a Trailblazer in Mission Leadership.
The Rev. Dr. Mary Newbern-Williams, transitional leader for the Presbytery of New York City, saluted Gordon, describing her as a woman who “spoke truth like thunder and led with the tenderness of a shepherd.” She also highlighted some of Gordon’s accomplishments, including being the first Black woman to serve as executive presbyter in multiple presbyteries and who helped to increase a church to more than 200 members after it had dwindled to about 20 members.
“She embodies our theme, not just because she labored in love, but because her leadership transformed lives, systems and souls,” Newbern-Williams said.
Armstrong, who was elected to be a PC(USA) co-moderator with the Rev. Tony Larson last year, was honored for that role and as a catalyst for change. She has served in a number of church leadership positions across Georgia, Florida and South Carolina and was described as a Christ-centered, Holy Spirit-driven person who takes youth under her wing.

Armstrong acknowledged both Moffett and Gordon, as well as many others, during a tearful acceptance speech in which she noted how they had paved the way for her success.
“I consider myself blessed as they have been bookends all my life anyway, so to sit between the two of them in this honor humbles me even more, and it reminds me to never forget those who have gone before you,” knocking down barriers, Armstrong said.
The Rev. Dr. Perzavia Praylow, director of Black Church Studies at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, introduced Moffett, calling her a “woman of fierce faith, visionary leadership and tireless dedication to justice.”
“For six transformative years, she served as president and executive director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, leading with courage, compassion and conviction, overseeing more than 300 staff and 75 mission coworkers around the globe,” Praylow said. During her tenure, the Matthew 25 vision “took flight,” inspiring “thousands across our church to act boldly in love, dismantle systemic racism and eradicate poverty.”
Praylow also spoke of Moffett's three decades of pastoral ministry, from the Bay Area of California to the heart of Greensboro, North Carolina, and her work as a theologian, strategist, author, mentor and consultant.
Accepting the award, Moffett spoke warmly of family and people who’d given her opportunities to serve and lead. She also explained why she thinks the NBPC is needed today.
“This organization is extremely important because it gives us an understanding of who we are,” Moffett said. “We get to see ourselves.”
She also stressed the importance of the church speaking out, noting that there could be dire consequences for attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) “if we don't do something, if we don't say something, if we don't embody something.”

The award presentations were followed by a sermon by Rev. Dr. L. British Hyrams, chaplain at Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina.
Hyrams brought words of encouragement rooted in Hebrews 6:10, “For God is not unjust, so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward his name by having served and by still serving the saints.”
Hyrams, who received an award of appreciation for speaking, also acknowledged that ministry work is sometimes unappreciated despite the amount of labor and sacrifice that it takes.
“My educated guess is that if you are in this room, it is highly probable that you bring your whole entire self to the task, and maybe even your family and friends,” she said, adding that “it encompasses your waking hours and your nighttime dreams, your physical, mental and emotional being. … May God bless the efforts and intention of your service, whether it is seen or unseen.”
Pointing to chapter 13, she later encouraged the crowd to continue showing hospitality to strangers, such as immigrants, the incarcerated and the tortured.
“These difficult, uncomfortable tasks are being done for the love of God because of who God is,” Hyrams said, adding later, “Your labor of love for the sake of God’s name is not in vain.”
She also stressed the importance of being honest and above reproach, and fulfilling your commitments, knowing that God is righteous and will remember your labor.
“Let your yes be yes, and your no be no,” she said. “Persevering with the help of the Holy Spirit, keep steady to the task that God has given you to do.”
And if at times you feel overlooked, remember that “the one who calls you by name — the one who made you fearfully and wonderfully — is the only one that ultimately matters. Period. Full stop.”
To read Presbyterian News Service coverage of NBPC’s opening worship and Juneteenth celebration, go here.
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