Medina woman cited for going
out of her way for Christ

Kerrville District United Methodists recognized a Medina woman Jan. 28 in Boerne for going out of her way to influence others for Christ.
Clara Ann McWilliams, Medina UMC, received the 2006 Bishop’s Exemplar Award for the Kerrville District.
Thirty-one other church members were given discipleship certificates during the annual district celebration luncheon. The awards recognized their distinguished Christian witness and service.
First UMC, Boerne, played host to this year’s celebration. Some 350 people attended.
Bishop Joel N. Martinez presents the Exemplar Award annually to laypeople selected by each district board of laity “for witness, commitment and service after the example of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
“Now I am going to have to live up to these expectations,” McWill-iams said after the award was announced. “Without God and the wonderful people of our congregation, I could not have done all this. The Lord has led me in this direction.”
McWilliams works behind the scenes at the Medina church—often unnoticed—tying up loose ends in worship services and interacting with members and visitors alike, said the Rev. William K. Stegemueller in his nomination.
“As a pastor, I’ve been overwhelmed by the number of people who pull me off to the side to let me know what Clara Ann did for them,” he said. “She is a living testimony!
“People from all ages and walks of life feel comfortable around her. She is constantly going out of way to very humbly influence others for Christ.”
As part of her ministry of “helps and service,” Stegemueller said, McWilliams keeps him informed of people’s spiritual and emotional needs. She sends messages and flowers to people who are sick or in the hospital. She sends cards and newsletters to visitors.
“Many have commented that such acts of love and kindness were the reason they were attracted to this church,” Stegemueller said.
McWilliams serves as both greeter/usher and Holy Communion coordinator for the 220-member congregation. She also coordinates the annual Christmas basket gift ministry.
Last year the church sent 30 baskets to people in need, Stegemueller said.
“I think one of the reasons her ministry has such power is that people can tell that it’s motivated by a love that is genuine,” he said. “She laughs and cries with people in the ups and downs of life. As a result, people have a tendency to open up to her. People always feel good after encountering Clara Ann.”
Discipleship award certificate recipients represented 22 Kerrville District congregations:
> Bandera UMC—Conrad and Nancy Nightingale.
> Highland Lakes UMC, Buch-anan Dam—Annette Spiers.
> First UMC, Bertram—Pete No-decker.
> First UMC, Carrizo Springs—Roberta Johnson.
> Gaddis Memorial UMC, Comfort—Fred and Rosemary Collins.
> First UMC, Crystal City—Ovon-ne Darter.
> First UMC, Devine—Suzanne Martin, Jean Mattingly.
> Fredericksburg UMC—Sharon Massey.
> Grace UMC, Granite Shoals—Margaret Schelde.
> First UMC, Hondo—Jo Lynn Bragg.
> New Fountain UMC, Hondo—Gary Allen, Bob McCoy.
> First UMC, Goldthwaite—Hazel McCoy.
> First UMC, Johnson City—Ronnie Batchelor.
> First UMC, Kerrville—Sheryl McGlathery.
> St. Paul’s UMC, Kerrville—David and Carol Pope.
> First UMC, La Pryor—Fred and Jeanette Kite.
> Leakey UMC—Betty Jo Bates.
> Lometa UMC—Gordon Asbury, Rick Belyeu.
> First UMC, Marble Falls—Joy Frear.
> First UMC, San Saba—Mike and Carolyn McDowell.
> First UMC, Uvalde—Diane Underwood.
> Yancey UMC—Sam Dubberly, Elmer Faseler.