The 17th Annual Celebrate Ministry Awards, recognizing outstanding Lutheran lay ministry in the Delaware-Maryland Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, was held May 4 at Carroll Lutheran Village in Westminster.
The synod bishop, the Rev. Wolfgang D. Herz-Lane, presented the awards.
Of the 15 awards bestowed, four went to Carroll County recipients.
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 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 efforts to provide 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. Art, vocal and instrumental music, media, physical education and computer literacy are also taught, and health education will be added next school year. Staff, student, parent and volunteer involvement are important ingredients in the success of Carroll Lutheran School.
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." Lutheran congregations in the Westminster Conference of the Delaware-Maryland Synod provided names of members who are serving on active duty, and with the help of chaplains associated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, he has been distributing the books to those members.
Carroll Lutheran Village resident Hazel Rectanus, also a member of St. Luke's 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 Village residents who are receiving services from Carroll Hospice, either in their homes or at the in-patient Dove House. She also provides support for other patients who are not Village residents when the need arises, is an avid supporter of hospice events and was the Carroll Hospice Volunteer of the Year in 2012.
