The Presbyterian Health, Education and Welfare Association (PHEWA) is seeking nominations for seven ministry awards that will be celebrated during the 220th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in Pittsburgh next July. 

Seven awards will be presented by PHEWA, part of the Compassion, Peace & Justice Ministry of the General Assembly Mission Council. PHEWA is a voluntary membership organization dedicated to social welfare and justice ministries.

Ten networks are currently 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 and AIDS, reproductive options, specialized pastoral ministries, child advocacy, disabilities, health and wholeness, and serious mental illness.

PHEWA seeks nominations of:

  • The Community Transformation Award, present by PHEWA’s Presbyterian Association for Community Transformation (PACT) to a congregations that, either through ecumenical or interfaith community ministry, or through a special project of the congregation, has been faithful, creative and effective in their ministry to and with the community.
  • The Nancy Jennings Award,  presented by PHEWA’s Presbyterians for Disability Concerns (PDC) to persons, congregations, or PC(USA) entities that are exemplary in their affirmation, support, and advocacy for the gifts, rights, and responsibilities of persons with disabilities in the total life of the church.
  • The David Hancock Award, presented by PHEWA’s Presbyterians for Addiction Action (PAA), to a congregation or church professional that has contributed significantly in the field of addiction prevention, intervention and recovery.
  • The Margaret A. Fuad Award, also presented by PAA, to  PC(USA) lay persons who, as volunteers or activists, have been instrumental in getting their church and community involved in issues related to drug and alcohol abuse through education, awareness or treatment.  .
  • The Florence Iversen Kraft Award,  presented by PHEWA’s Presbyterian Serious Mental Illness Network (PSMIN) to a PC(USA) congregation that has demonstrated outstanding leadership in their ministry with those who have a serious mental illness and with their families.
  • The Faith In Action Award, presented by PHEWA’s Presbyterian AIDS Network (PAN), to a PC(USA) congregations that, through prayerful action and through its ministry, walks alongside sisters and brothers who are infected or affected by HIV and AIDS, initiating or supporting activities within the U.S. in meaningful and lasting ways. The ministry should result in increased sensitization to the issue and demonstrated impact on those affected. The recipient congregation of 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 BREAKING THE SILENCE AWARD, presented by PHEWA’s Presbyterians Against Domestic Violence Network (PADVN) to a PC(USA) congregation or individual from that congregation that continues to demonstrate a commitment to eliminating domestic violence, through education, advocacy, and other intervention efforts.

Learn about past recipients of PHEWA’s awards by going to the PHEWA website.

Nominations for any of the awards should include the name of person, congregation or organization being nominated; contact person for the nomination with addresses, phone numbers and email addresses; and a two page description of the ministry or individual, including why they are deserving of this recognition.

Electronic submissions are preferred, but nominations sent by mail will also be considered.  Send by email or by regular mail to: PHEWA, 100 Witherspoon St., Rm. 3228, Louisville, KY  40202-1396