“If you are a beloved child of God, please stand as you are able.” With these words, Rashell Hunter, Director of Racial Ethnic and Women’s Ministries, invited all of the attendees of the Women of Faith Awards breakfast to recognize our oneness in Christ’s love. Had Thea Jackson be able to join us, I suspect this would have been a favorite moment. In Thea’s acceptance speech, made via DVD presentation since ill health prevented her from traveling, Thea wondered why she should be singled out for such an award. “Most all the women I know are women of faith,” she said. Indeed, her humble spirit moved the room even though she was not physically present.
Rev. Rose Niles-McCrary, a member of Hudson River Presbytery currently serving in Education ministries of the PC(USA), introduced Thea, celebrating her as “an embodiment of God’s smile.” Recalling Thea’s many contributions to church and society, she recognized that Thea has “traveled a mighty road in a mighty way.”
Thea joins Revs. Magdelena Garcia and Ann Hayman as this year’s honorees. Susan Andrews accepted the award in Thea’s absence.
Celebrating our journey together, Thea concluded her remarks with poignant words of a poignant song, “We’ve come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord. Trusting in God’s Holy Word, he’s never failed me yet. No, we can’t turn around, we’ve come this far by faith.”
With justice, kindness and humbleness, we’ve come this far. Beloved children of God, let us stand, and walk on.
3 comments:
Congratulations and God bless Thea. A truly well-deserved recognition of her faith and service.
Peggy Howland....I didn't see it in Chris' report on the Women of Faith Breakfast, but nine of us from Hudson River Presbytery sat together at Thea's table, with one empty seat that we left for Thea. We all stood up and were introduced as Thea's FAMILY, who had come to the breakfast to celebrate with her. After the breakfast, Dave Dawson came over and told me he had specially come to the breakfast to see Thea, because she had been such an enormous influence in his life when he was younger. He was very sorry to miss seeing her, but we assured him we would tell her that he had come to see her. Peggy.
Our enthusiasm as Thea's family as well as being Hudson River was clearly evident to the others attending the breakfast when we broke into "ya-hoo's" and "Woooo's" and raised/waving arms. It was fun also to have Marge Palmer (former minister member of HRP) at our table. She did a bit of "ya-hoo-ing" herself!
Harriet
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