Corpus Christi activist,couple
honored for discipleship

Wesley Center chief
get Exemplar Award
for years of service

Corpus Christi District United Methodists honored a community activist and a couple Sept. 10.
Eddie Jackson-Mathis, St. Paul UMC, Corpus Christi, received the 2005 Bishop’s Exemplar Award for the southern portion of the district.
Jackson-Mathis, director of UM-related Wesley Community Center, Robstown, and Wesley House, Corpus Christi, was recognized for years of dedicated service in the name of Christ in her congregation, the district, the Southwest Texas Conference and the Coastal Bend.
John and Doris Kidwell, South Bluff UMC, Corpus Christi, took home the District Superintendent’s Award. It marked their servant leadership in their congregation and the district.
Fifty-six other individuals and six groups were given certificates for distinguished discipleship during the annual celebration for congregations in the southern portion of the Corpus Christi District.
More than 410 people attended the event at First UMC, Corpus Christi. They came from at least 22 Southwest Texas and one Rio Grande conference congregations.
Bishop Joel N. Martinez gives the Exemplar Award annually to lay-people selected by each district board of laity “for witness, commitment and service after the example of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
“When I need a reminder of why I do what I do,” said Jackson-Mathis after accepting the honor, “I go hold a baby in the infant care center, then go back to do my job.
“It’s important for all of us to offer Christ to all in little ways through the children.
“This (award) belongs to every church in the district. You help so wonderfully with the Wesley centers.”
Jackson-Mathis was cited for her passion for helping others, especially children and low-income adults. Under her leadership, Wesley Community Center added a second facility in Corpus Christi and secured a $100,000 Community Development Block Grant from the city to reduce the debt on that new site.
The Robstown center earned accreditation in 2005 from the National Association for Education of Younger Children.
Within the community Jackson-Mathis has been president of the Homeless Issues Partnership and Robstown Area Development Commission. Since 2002 she has chaired the commission’s special events committee. It’s involved with the Cot-tonfest, Christmas Lighting Parade and Nueces County Junior Livestock Show Parade.
In addition, Jackson-Mathis works with United Way, Texas Homeless Network, Workforce One, Healthy Marriages, Youth Opportunities United and Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas.
Within the church, Jackson-Mathis serves on the conference Board of Ordained Ministries and the district Committee on Missions.
At St. Paul she chairs the stewardship committee and is a member of the finance committee, building committee and United Methodist Wo-men. She has chaired the church council and staff-parish relations committee as well.
Jackson-Mathis helps with many activities in the 171-member congregation, including the Memorial Day service.
“Volunteer or vocation, she clearly puts her whole heart into everything she does,” the award nomination said.
The annual District Superintendent Award, first given in 2003, recognizes “outstanding examples of Christian servanthood to church, district, annual conference and community.”
“Jim and Doris exemplify servant leadership at South Bluff,” Superintendent Barbara J. Ruth said. “Between them, they have had every responsibility in the church—often taking several responsibilities at one time.
“This week they were painting the doors of the church to make them more welcoming.”
Ruth called the Kidwells spiritual mentors for many in the 116-member South Bluff congregation.
Recipients of distinguished discipleship certificates by congregation were:
> First UMC, Aransas Pass—Lawrence “Red” Barker, Nola Jane Price, Philip Watson, Parents Helping Parents Program.
v Banquete UMC—Jimmy and Betty McCain.
> Asbury UMC, Corpus Christi— Anita Bantle, Andy and Patty Bogess, Matt and Mary Topelian, Jeff and Vicki Watson.
> First UMC, Corpus Christi—Susan Lewis, Andy Quittner.
> Grace UMC, Corpus Christi—Ben Liska, Chris Williams.
> Island in the Son UMC, Corpus Christi—John Wilkinson, Fireng family.
> Oak Park UMC, Corpus Christi—Edna Brown, Bonnie Shelter.
> St. John’s UMC, Corpus Christi—Evalynn Bunk, Wilson and Sheryl Calhoun, Hollis Ray Neese, Lyneve Shaver.
> St. Paul UMC, Corpus Christi—Betty Bell, Mary Elias.
> St. Peter’s by the Sea UMC, Corpus Christi—Oren and Ione Haz-elton, Erica Padilla, Don Rolan.
> South Bluff UMC, Corpus Christi—Kenny and Teresa Hubbard, Shirley Thornton.
> Wesley UMC, Corpus Christi—Steve and Sherry Carter, Christian Thrift Shop.
> Ingleside UMC—Steve Rob-erson, SonRise Singers.
> First UMC, Odem—Trish Payne.
> First UMC, Portland—Kathy Anderson, Becky Cofas.
> First UMC, Refugio—Phyllis Hayes.
> First UMC, Robstown—Jim Elliff, Dollie Pawkett.
> First UMC, Rockport—Jane Garrett, Linda Hamilton, Ann Rei-mer.
> Skidmore UMC—Edwin and Jesse May Wallek.
> First UMC, Taft—Martin Hick-man.
Youth awards, listed by congregation, went to:
> First UMC, Aransas Pass—Jayme Glenn.
> Asbury UMC, Corpus Christi—Erica Denson, Angela Gray, Margie Wieland, Puppet Team.
> Island in the Son UMC, Corpus Christi—Katy Bridges.
> St. John’s UMC, Corpus Christi—Youth Group.
> St. Luke’s UMC, Corpus Christi—Thomas Morris.
> Wesley UMC, Corpus Christi—Robin Boyd.
> First UMC, Rockport—Chase McDonald.