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CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2007 MICAH 6 AWARD RECIPIENTS
 Over
seventy members and friends of First Congregational Church were treated
to a rousing address by the Rev. Benjamin Reynolds, Keynote Speaker at
the 6th Annual Micah 6 Awards Banquet on April 29th. This was the
largest audience yet to attend the dinner and honor Micah 6 Award
recipients, community members who exemplify the words of the prophet
Micah to "do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God." The
four 2007 awardees are FCC members, Dennis Apuan and Lynn Young, and
community members, Jane and George Sheffer of the Dale House Project. Here’s a little information about each one.
Dennis
Apaun – is a lifelong witness for peace, who was nominated by Rev. Jim
White, for his many activities. He participates yearly in the witness
against the School of the Americas; has traveled to the West Bank of
Palestine, and has been a program director at Pikes Peak Justice and
Peace Commission for many years. Past chair of the Justice and Peace
Ministry, Dennis also joined the FCC's church-to-church visiting team
to Ridgeville Community Church in Mandeville, Jamaica.
Lynn
Young – Many FCC members are familiar with Lynn’s flare for leadership
from her tenure as President of the congregation; however, it is her
contribution to the OWL program, where she serves as a national
trainer, that earned her nomination from Jon Vigne. Lynn has written a
curriculum on sexuality for young adults, which will be used for OWL,
“Our Whole Lives”, a sexuality education program offered through the
United Church of Christ and the Unitarian-Universalist Association. It
helps participants make informed and responsible decisions about their
relationships, health and behavior in the context of their faith. The
young people in our church have greatly benefited from OWL.
Jane
and George Sheffer – For the past 36 years, the Sheffers have managed
the Dale House Project, which advocates for and provides services to
young people referred by the State’s Correctional Dept. The residents
have had serious problems -- they may have been abused as children,
become abusive, served time for various crimes, and Dale House may be
their last chance. Throughout the successes – and disappointments – of
working with the youth, Jane and George have remained faithful. Jane
has also served as an elder at First Presbyterian Church, where she
challenged their plan to tear down low income housing. George has been
active in working for Peace in Palestine and has attended The Sabeel
Peace Conference, and many other similar events in this capacity
Congratulations
to these four outstanding advocates for their service and
accomplishments! FCC has given Micah 6 Awards annually since 2002,
shortly after the congregation voted to become a Micah 6 church in
accordance with guidelines established by the National Council of
Churches of Christ, USA. The designation formalized FCC’s commitment to
issues of social justice. During the last six years there have been
twenty-one recipients of the Micah 6 Award.
The Justice and Peace Ministry (J&P) of First Congregational Church meets regularly to oversee the implementation of the Micah 6 Covenant.The
annual Micah 6 dinner and awards is held every spring at First
Congregational Church to honor the people who live out the words of
Micah 6. This years dinner and awards was on April 29, 2007. The
article above is a press release of the 2007 Micah 6 Awards dinner.
Photographs are by J. K. Schofield. Pictured left to right are; George
& Jane Sheffer, Lynn Young and Dennis Apuan.
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