wfn.org | ABCUSA: Coletta to Receive Sparrowk Award

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

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 12/13/02)--Dr. Loris B.
Coletta, a psychotherapist and American Baptist lay leader long active in
many areas of religious and community service, has been named the recipient
of the Cora and John Sparrowk President's Award.

The award, which will be presented at the Biennial Meeting of American
Baptist Churches USA next June 27-30 in Richmond, Va., honors an American
Baptist who "has over a period of years made an exceptional and outstanding
contribution to the life of Christ's church; and in life and service
manifests richly the fruits and gifts of the Spirit."

Coletta has been honored with numerous civic and religious commendations
throughout a career and ministry spanning 60 years.  She and her husband,
the Rev. Dr. Vincent H. Coletta, an ordained American Baptist pastor, have
been involved in ministries focused on youth, peace, reconciliation, healing
and interfaith dialog.

She has been a member of the American Baptist Churches USA General Board,
where she served terms on the Board of National Ministries and the Board of
Educational Ministries.  Her denominational service also includes membership
on the American Baptist Historical Society Board of Managers, the Statements
of Concern Committee, the Commission on Human Sexuality Resources, the
Commission on Denominational Inclusiveness and the Biennial Program
Committee.

She has been national vice president for Leadership for American Baptist
Women, president of Church Women United and a representative to the United
Nations Forum on the Status of Women, among many other responsibilities.

Along with her husband she provided leadership for youth ministry at First
Baptist Church in San Francisco and later helped plant two churches in
Castro Valley and San Leandro, Calif.  They were active in at West Adams
Baptist Church in Los Angeles during the Civil Rights Movement.

During their 25 years of ministry at the Palos Verdes First Baptist Church,
Rolling Hills Estates, Calif., the Colettas were involved in a variety of
social ministries, and founded the nation's first drug hot line.

A psychotherapist for more than a half century, Coletta is a recognized
expert on cross-cultural counseling.  She has served as dean of
international students at Chapman College in Orange, Calif., and has
provided thousands of hours of pro bono counseling for those without medical
insurance.

02ABN183

American Baptist News Service: Office of Communication, American Baptist
Churches USA, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851; (610)768-2077; fax:
(610)768-2320; www.abc-usa.org; richard.schramm@abc-usa.org