The Rev. David R. Weissbard, minister of the UU Church in Rockford, IL won the Annual Program Fund/UU Ministers Association Sermon Award, given for the sermon which is the most effective in exploring and promoting the financial support of UUism. Rev. Weissbard is pictured (center) with Rev. Gary Smith (left), president of the UU Ministers Association, and Judy Pickett (right), chair of the Annual Program Fund continental committee.
The O. Eugene Pickett Award, presented to the congregation that has made an outstanding contribution to the growth of UUism, was presented by Margaret Beard, Extension Ministry Director, to the First Unitarian Society of Wilmington, DE. David Sheppard, denominational growth chair, accepted the award on behalf of the congregation.
The Social Action Leadership Award, presented by the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, was presented to Fred Brooks and Rochelle McAdam, of First Unitarian Church in Los Angeles, CA.
The Holmes-Weatherly Award, given to those who best exemplify the founding spirit of the Unitarian Fellowship for Social Justice, was awarded to the Rev. Nicholas Cardell, minister emeritus of the May Memorial Unitarian Universalist Society in Syracuse, NY. Cardell was incarcerated for several months, along with several other Unitarian Universalists, for his protests at the School of the Americas.
The Mark DeWolfe Award, given in recognition of long-term exemplary contributions to the gay community, was presented by Susan Gore (right), president of Interweave, to Lorna Cramer (left), a longtime activist in the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender community.
The IARF, U.S. Chapter Award, given to the individual who has contributed the most to advancing the work of the IARF, was given to Dr. Spencer Lavan, former Dean of Meadville/Lombard Theological School.
The Angus H. MacLean Award, awarded for excellence in the field of religious education, was presented to the Rev. Carol Taylor of the Main Line Unitarian Church in Devon, PA.
The Young Adult Ministry Award, presented to an individual or organization who has furthered the cause of active ministry to young adults, was presented by the Rev. Donna DiSciullo to Steve Traugott.
The Skinner Sermon, given for stimulating meritorious preaching about the social implications of religion, was presented to the Rev. Jaco B. ten Hove, who delivered the sermon when he was interim co-minister of Jefferson Unitarian Church, Golden, CO.
The award for Youth Advisor of the Year, was presented to Jason Happel, advisor of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Jamaica Plain, MA.
The President's Award for Volunteer Service to the UUA, is presented annually to the person or persons designated by the UUA President (John Beuhrens, left) as having given extraordinary and vital service to the UUA as a volunteer. This year it was presented to Helio Fred Garcia (right), a partner in Clark and Weinstock of New York and Washington, a crisis communication firm with clientele worldwide. Garcia has assisted the UUA in developing an enhanced public witness agenda.
The Unsung Unitarian Universalist Award, given to a Unitarian Universalist whose actions inspire, support and express Unitarian Universalism, but who is not generally recognized, was given to Pauline McCoo (right) of First Unitarian Church in Chicago, IL. Pictured with Ms. McCoo is the Rev. Bill Sinkford, Director of the UUA Department of Congregational, District and Extension Services.
The Unsung Unitarian Universalist Youth award, given to the UU Youth whose actions inspire, support and express Unitarian Universalism, but are not generally recognized, was given to Robyn Henry.
A special 1999 Unsung Unitarian Universalist award was presented to Joan Bradt of Littleton, CO for helping youth in crisis in the aftermath of the Columbine High School shootings last April.
Awards presented at other times during the General Assembly included the UUSC Vision of Justice Sermon Award, presented to the Rev. Dr. Patrick T. O'Neill of the First Unitarian Society of Wilmington, DE, and the Ann Fields and Barbara Marshman Award for religious education, presented to Ann S. Willever and Jacqueline Smith-Miller.
