wfn.org | Marvin Simmers Is Named APCE Educator of the Year

[PCUSA.NEWS@pcusa.org]

17-February-1998 
98048 
 
    Marvin Simmers Is Named APCE Educator of the Year 
 
    by Julian Shipp 
 
BOSTON-The Association of Presbyterian Church Educators (APCE) honored the 
ministry of long-time Christian educator the Rev. Marvin Simmers, the1998 
Educator of the Year, during the APCE annual convention  here Feb. 3-7. 
 
    Simmers, who is presently coordinator of pastor, educator and lay 
leader support in the Congregational Ministries Division (CMD), was 
recognized Feb. 6 during a special banquet and ceremony. Each year, APCE's 
27-member Governing Cabinet receives nominations for APCE's Educator of the 
Year Award from regions and members. 
 
    "I really want to let all of you know how much I  have appreciated 
being a part of APCE," said Simmers, whose name has become synonymous with 
commitment and enthusiasm for Christian education throughout the PC(USA) 
and APCE. "I don't know of many jobs in the world that you'd almost do for 
free if you could afford it, but this is one of them. 
 
    "One of the great joys of my present work is serving as the CMD staff 
person to APCE," Simmers added. "It is truly a privilege." 
 
    Simmers called for a renewed commitment to regional APCE meetings and 
strengthening the role of Christian educators so that every congregation in 
the denomination might benefit from the expertise of an educator, whether 
paid or volunteer. He also called for Christian educators to continue to 
work toward bringing the gospel of Jesus Christ to the religious and 
secular community. 
 
    Born near Massanetta Springs, Va., Simmers grew up on his family's 
dairy farm and attended Cross Roads Presbyterian Church, which he said 
still holds a special significance to him. As a teenager, Simmers was 
ordained there as a deacon. 
 
    Simmers graduated from Union Theological Seminary in Virginia and 
served churches in Virginia as a pastor and associate pastor while 
completing studies at Presbyterian School of Christian Education and the 
University of Virginia. In 1977, he became editor of adult Christian 
education resources as a staff member of the Presbyterian Church, U.S. 
 
    Simmers and his wife, JoAnn, are the parents of three sons - Kevin, 
Keith, and Kyle and have two daughters-in-law - Lisa and Kyuyoung. 
 
    Honored this year with the APCE Life Achievement award were noted 
Christian educators the Rev. David Ray Lewis of Compton, N.H. and Janice L. 
Noller of Minneapolis, Minn. Noller is associate executive presbyter of 
Twin Cities Area Presbytery and co-authored a book for local church 
Christian education communities in 1996. Lewis is the former associate for 
Men's Ministry in the Congregational Ministries Division and a church 
education pioneer. 
 
    This year, more than $2,500 was collected for the E. Valaria Murphy 
Scholarship Award, which is used to help individuals needing financial 
assistance attend APCE annual conferences. 
The 1998 Val Murphy Scholarship Award recipients were Lilia Acevedo and 
Patricia Garcia, both of Berwyn, Illinois; and Faye C. Rivers of John's 
Island, S.C. 
 
     Murphy was the first APCE member to receive a life achievement award 
and was a pioneer for racial ethnic people in Christian education. She 
served as director of Christian Education at Sixth Grace Church in Chicago 
from 1963 to 1974. Her service there gave her the distinction of being the 
first professionally trained African American educator to serve on the 
staff of a black parish. 

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