wfn.org | PSCE presents awards for effective Christian education

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03-July-1996 
 
GA96068 
 
PSCE presents awards for effective Christian education 
 
ALBUQUERQUE--"Christian education in the Presbyterian Church is alive and 
well in many places," declared James Brashler, dean of the faculty at the 
Presbyterian School of Christian Education, following the presentation of 
awards to five congregations for excellence in education and outreach 
ministries.  The annual Vision Awards (to be renamed "PSCE Congregation 
Awards"), were presented at the PSCE lunch July 3. 
 
    Trinity Presbyterian Church in Pensacola, Fla., and Govans Presbyterian 
Church in Baltimore, Md., received the Elinor Curry Award for Outreach and 
Social Concern. Trinity Church was recognized for its ministry with Century 
Elementary, a public school in a poor community on the Florida/Alabama 
border.  Trinity members provide Christmas gifts for the students and 
much-needed resources for their classrooms.  They have arranged for the 
school to have a new computer lab, upgraded playground equipment, holiday 
parties, books, school supplies, an annual career day and field trip 
chaperones. 
 
    Govans Presbyterian Church has a comprehensive outreach ministry that 
touches Baltimore's poor inner-city families, elderly, mentally ill and 
retarded, as well as people from war-torn El Salvador.  The Govans church 
has been a leader nationwide in establishing housing for special 
populations.  Members have renovated buildings to provide housing for the 
elderly and have set up group homes for the mentally ill. 
 
    First Presbyterian Church in Tallahassee, Fla., received the Katherine 
Hawes Award for Effective Youth Ministry.  The church's number of 
participating youth--now 62--has doubled since a second certified Christian 
educator was hired three years ago to expand the program.  Twenty-three 
adults serve as youth teachers or advisors.  Youth are integrated into the 
total life of the church by serving as elders, worship leaders and teaching 
assistants. 
 
    University Presbyterian Church in San Antonio, Texas, received the 
Sarah Hill Brown Early Childhood Education Award for its Children's Center, 
which serves 105 pre-school children in a racially diverse neighborhood. 
The center promotes the development of the whole child--socially, 
emotionally, physically, cognitively and spiritually.  Most of the teachers 
are bilingual, and a variety of schedules are offered to meet families' 
needs. 
 
    Woodlawn Chapel Presbyterian Church in Ballwin, Mo., received the Tolly 
Thompson Award for Excellence in Christian Education.  This six-year-old 
congregation has developed a lively and creative Christian education 
program, working without paid Christian education staff until recently. 
One of the church's most innovative developments last year was a "Bible 
Babies" class for young parents and children ages six to 30 months. 
 
Eva Stimson 

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