wfn.org | Churchwomen honored with Antoinette Brown Award

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

Churchwomen honored with Antoinette Brown Award

> Written by Tim Kershner
> June 30, 2009

One woman began her journey at the Evangelical Seminary of Puerto
Rico. The other was welcomed by the UCC rather than wait for the
Catholic Church to ordain women. Both have provided extraordinary
service to congregational and wider church ministries and serve as an
inspiration to other clergy women.

The Rev. Candita Bauzá-Mattos and the Rev. Julie Peeples were honored
with the Antoinette Brown Award by the Women's Ministry of the UCC.
The awards, presented during the UCC's General Synod 27, honors the
Rev. Antoinette Brown Caldwell, the first woman ordained in the United  States.

"How much we owe to Antoinette and all those who started the path" of
clergy women, said Rev. Sharon E. Watkins, General Minister and
President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), who spoke at
the luncheon. "What would Antoinette Brown think to see so many
clergywomen in one room?"

Bauzá-Mattos has served as consultant to the Council of  Hispanic
Ministries and as Minister for Hispanic Relations in the Office of
General Ministries. She also has served as a local church pastor and
as Associate Conference Minister in the Southern California-Nevada
Conference. ?She has been a pillar of strength, courage and integrity
through difficult circumstances throughout her ministry,? her
nomination states. ?She boldly broke the barriers of sexism and racism
with grace and generosity, always modeling faithfulness and hope.?

In introducing her, the Rev. José Abraham de Jesús compared her to a
shooting star. "Candita has been a star, always shining her light."

Bauzá-Mattos was humbled by the award, giving the credit all to God.
"God took the initiative by calling my name and putting the challenges
and possibilities in front of me."

Peeples is the senior minister at Congregational UCC, Greensboro, N.C.

After seminary, she was a college campus minister and provided
pastoral care for the Habitat of Humanity staff in Americus, Ga. She
is active in her community serving the county mental health board, the
city's family life council, and helps lead black/white clergy dialogue
and interfaith dialogue.

Her nomination commends the many skills she brings to ministry. "Her
wise guidance, her compassionate spirit, her firm grasp of the truth
even in difficult situations, exemplifies the important role as model
and mentor she provides to so many."

Irwin Smallwood, a member of her congregation, is grateful that "the
United Church of Christ opened its arms to this daughter of the Roman
Catholic church." In return, the UCC, he said, gained "a brilliant
woman who has spent her life opening these same doors to countless others."