The 17th Annual Celebrate Ministry Awards Program recognizing outstanding Lutheran lay ministry in the Delaware-Maryland Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America was held on May 4 at Carroll Lutheran Village in Westminster. The awards were presented by the Synod Bishop, the Rev. Wolfgang D. Herz-Lane.
Peggy F. Sheeler was honored posthumously with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Sheeler was a member of St. Luke's Lutheran Church in New Windsor and a resident of Carroll Lutheran Village. She helped found and became the first executive director of Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland. She was very active in the Lutheran church, among other things serving as the chairperson of the Celebrate Ministry Planning Committee for its first 16 years and for its 17th year until her death on Feb. 13, 2014. The award was accepted by her daughters, Karen St. Jean and Lois Sheeler-Duncan.
The Luther Award was presented to Carroll Lutheran School in Westminster for its effort to provide a high-quality, faith-based education for students of all denominations in kindergarten through eighth grade. The school offers a full elementary and middle school curriculum consisting of language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and faith/Bible study.
Dave Kulow, a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, in Westminster, received a Conference Award for Significant Lay Ministry. Kulow started a special ministry for those serving in the armed forces. Through a special offering he collected funds to purchase the new Prayer Book for the Armed Services.
Carroll Lutheran Village resident Hazel Rectanus, also a member of St. Luke Lutheran Church in New Windsor, was honored with a Social Ministry Organization Award for her ongoing volunteer work with Carroll Hospice. Her primary role is companioning with residents of Carroll Lutheran Village who are receiving services from Carroll Hospice either in their homes or in the in-patient Dove House.
