Presbyterian News Service
06255 May 9, 2006
Nominations sought for social-welfare honor
John Lee Park Award will be presented in January 2007
by Evan Silverstein
LOUISVILLE -- Nominations are being solicited for the John Park Lee Award, which is named in honor of the Presbyterian widely considered the founder of health and welfare ministries in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
The Presbyterian Health, Education and Welfare Association (PHEWA) sponsors the award, which has been presented during the association's biennial conferences since 1969. The next conference is scheduled for January 2007 in New Orleans, LA.
Lee helped establish Presbyterian health and welfare ministries that consolidated in 1956 to become PHEWA. The award bearing his name recognizes a Presbyterian who has done "faithful and exemplary work" in social welfare and justice ministries and exemplifies the qualities of concern, sensitivity and involvement for which Lee was known.
The deadline for nominations is July 1.
"The presentation of this award at our biennial conference is always a highlight," said the Rev. Nancy Troy, executive director of PHEWA and associate for Social Welfare Ministries. "We capture the honoree's spirit and dedication to a life well-lived in service to church and society."
Lee served as the administrator of a clinic for alcoholics and managed a children's medical center before becoming director of the Division of
Welfare Agencies of the Board of Pensions of the former United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America.
He was awarded an honorary doctorate by Whitworth College in Spokane, WA, in 1963, for his contributions to the denomination's social-welfare
ministries.
The last recipient of the award, in 2005, was the Rev. Bill Thomas, who spent his entire 35-year career serving small churches in economically stressed communities, mostly outside Pittsburgh.
For a description of the award and a nomination form, visit PHEWA's Web
site (http://www.pcusa.org/phewa/news) or call (888) 728-7228, ext. 5800.