Austin UMs, Wimberley ministry recognized for work

An Austin woman, an Austin man and a Wimberley ministry were recognized Feb. 3 for efforts in transforming their congregations and communities.
Barbara Huff of Berkeley UMC, Austin, received the 2007 Bishop’s Exemplar Award for the Austin District.
John Hanne, Bethany UMC, Austin, was given the District Superintendent’s Above and Beyond the Call of Duty Award.
Drops of Living Water Ministry from Wimberley UMC took home the Innovation in Programming Award.
The three awards were presented at First UMC, Austin, during the annual Austin District laity celebration. Fifteen other individuals and eight programs were also recognized.
More than 250 people attended the event.
Bishop Joel N. Martinez gives the Exemplar Award annually to laypeople chosen by each district board of laity for “witness, commitment and service after the example of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
“Oh, wow,” Huff said with tears in her eyes after accepting the Exemplar Award from the Rev. Kim Cape, Austin District superintendent. “I am surprised and touched. It’s an honor.” Huff said she was inspired by God and by members of her church to do what she does. “When I hear about a need and it touches me, I have to do something,” she said.
Huff received the Exemplar Award for her servant’s heart, said Cape, who presented the honor for Martinez, who couldn’t attend the event.
Huff cooks breakfast and feeds the homeless in downtown Austin, helps lead the youth group at Berkeley and has taken the young people on a mission trip to Mexico. She chairs a team that provides support for AIDS victims.
Friends call Huff the most dedicated, godly woman they know, the nomination said.
Hanne received the Above and Beyond the Call of Duty Award for being the finance chairman for Bethany UMC, Cape said. Bethany has financially helped The Rock UMC, a young congregation in Cedar Park.
The 9-year-old Innovation in Programming Award, a traveling plaque, recognizes creative ministry initiatives by local congregations.
Drops of Living Water Ministry gives decorated buckets containing drops of “living” water to the sick, people in distress or those experiencing some kind of hardship, Cape said. The buckets offer encouragement.
Individuals from 13 congregations were honored for their ministry achievements:
> Gloria and Arnold Essler, Cedar Creek UMC.
> Willie and Diana Everett, Wesley UMC, Austin.
> Gene McConnell, First UMC, Pflugerville.
> Naomi Deu Friend, First UMC, Smithville.
> Dan McCuiston, Wimberley UMC.
> Gerard Vande Werken, Westlake UMC, Austin.
> Patsy Kimball, Fentress UMC.
> Julia Walker, Manchaca UMC.
> John McGlothin, Bethany UMC, Austin.
> Mary Beth Gartner, Oak Hill UMC, Austin.
> Marla Retano, Lake Travis UMC, Lakeway.
> Edith Harding, Manor UMC.
> Mary Pendleton, Tarrytown UMC, Austin.


Eight other ministries received innovation in programming certificates:
> September Mission and Ministries Fair, Westlake UMC, Austin.
> MOM—Mission of Mercy, First UMC, Pflugerville.
> Wednesday Night Live, First UMC, Smithville.
> Advent Vacation Bible School, Manor UMC.
> Art In—The Rock UMC, Cedar Park.
> Prayers, Presence, Gifts and Service: Stewardship Year-Round, Oak Hill UMC, Austin.
> Developing a Leadership Culture, Bethany UMC, Austin.
> Gold Rush Children’s Worship, Buda UMC.