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[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

Communicators receive new Helping Hand scholarships

Oct. 18, 2005

NOTE: Photographs and related coverage is available at
http://umns.umc.org.

By Kathy L. Gilbert*

SAN ANTONIO (UMNS) - Chrystal P. Henderson and Carmelia L. Matias were
honored as the first recipients of the Helping Hand Scholarship awarded
by the United Methodist Association of Communicators during the group's
annual meeting Oct 13-15.

The two scholarships, one for a representative from the central
conferences - areas of the church in Africa, Asia and Europe - and one
for a young adult within the United States, are intended to allow
recipients an up-close and personal look at theological and practical
perspectives of communications in the church. The scholarships are named
in honor of past UMAC president Dawn Hand, director of communications
for the denomination's Western North Carolina Annual (regional)
Conference and UMAC's 2004 Communicator of the Year.

Henderson is communications coordinator for Vestavia Hills United
Methodist Church in Birmingham, Ala., and Birmingham-East District
communications coordinator. She is also a freelance artist and designer.

Matias is executive secretary of the Philippines Central Conference's
Board of Christian Education and Communications. She is managing editor
of The Filipino Methodist, oversees production of church school
materials, works in the training program for Sunday school teachers and
provides Christian education program/direction for local churches.

Henderson, who received a $1,000 scholarship, said she the funds will
help her "remain focused on (the) call to ministry, develop
relationships with other communicators, increase knowledge of resources
available from other local churches and United Methodist church
agencies, and develop a local church communications network with (the)
district to serve the needs of the local church for resource and
education."

Matias, who received a $2,000 scholarship, said she would use her
experience from UMAC to "improve our communication/publication program
in the board. Our board is serving three episcopal areas with 21 annual
conferences and about 1,500 local churches in the country."

The Helping Hand Scholarship promotes commitment and excellence by
helping a United Methodist communicator become connected with more than
200 professional general agency, conference, district and local church
communicators, said Carolyn Dandridge, chairperson of the scholarship
committee. It also provides an opportunity to develop partnerships and
relationships to enhance their communications ministry within the United
Methodist Church.

Criteria for applying for the scholarships are: United Methodist Church
commitment and involvement in the communications ministry within a
conference, district or local church; involvement with the
communications ministry as evident through the application and letters
of reference; and evidence of experience and/or talent in religion
communications. Applicants must demonstrate how the UMAC experience will
enhance their communications ministry and provide commentary on a
commitment to continue the relationship with UMAC.

Application deadline for the next scholarship is July 3. Winners will be
announced Sept. 10 and scholarships awarded to enable attendance at the
UMAC annual meeting. For more information online and to begin the
application process, go to the UMAC Web site, www.umcommunicators.org.

*Gilbert is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in
Nashville, Tenn.

News media contact: Kathy L. Gilbert, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470
or newsdesk@umcom.org.

********************

United Methodist News Service
Photos and stories also available at:
http://umns.umc.org

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