Each year at the General Assembly, an award is given to recognize a person or group for their work on the cutting edge of mission.
The Parents Circle – Families Forum: The 2023 Cutting Edge of Mission Award Recipient
The annual award this year recognizes the work of The Parents Circle – Families Forum (PCFF)—a joint Israeli-Palestinian organization of over 600 families who have lost immediate family members to the ongoing conflict and who work together for reconciliation and a just resolution to the conflict. The award was accepted during the 2023 General Assembly in Halifax, Nova Scotia, by two advocates representing PCFF. The advocates, Laila AlShekh and Robi Damelin work toward reconciliation and sustainable peace.
The address and award presentation at the 2023 General Assembly of The Presbyterian Church in Canada on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 at St. Mary’s University, Halifax, NS.
June 8 presentation followed by Q&A at Armour Heights Presbyterian Church, Toronto.

Laila AlShekh is a Muslim Palestinian, a mother and an active member of the Parents Circle – Families Forum (PCFF). Born and raised in Jordan, Laila studied accounting and business administration. After marriage, she moved to Bethlehem, Palestine/Israel, where her husband grew up. The joy of returning to her homeland was cut short when she lost her son Qusay in 2002. He was only 6 months old. The Israeli soldiers prevented Laila and her husband from taking him to the hospital, which was only a 20-minute drive. The delay in seeing a healthcare worker resulted in her baby’s death. Laila sees herself as a survivor, not a victim. She actively seeks out opportunities to share her story to bring about peace and reconciliation.

Robi Damelin is the Israeli spokesperson and member of the Parents Circle – Families Forum (PCFF). Robi Damelin’s son, David, was killed by a Palestinian sniper in March of 2002 while he was guarding a checkpoint near a settlement during his army reserve service. Since becoming active in the Parents Circle, Robi has spoken to hundreds and thousands of Israelis and Palestinians and people all over the world to demand that reconciliation be a part of any peace agreement. Robi was named as a 2015 Woman of Impact by Women in the World. In 2014, Robi was selected by the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice as one of four Women PeaceMakers. She is the protagonist featured in the documentary, One Day after Peace. She regularly contributes to The Forward and Huffington Post.
The Dr. E.H. Johnson Memorial Fund was established in 1981 to continue the Rev. Dr. Edward “Ted” Hewlitt Johnson’s commitment to a global view of mission and to extend the horizons of that mission. He lived his view of and commitment to mission through service with his wife Kitty as missionaries of The Presbyterian Church in Canada in Manchuria and as Secretary for Overseas Missions. He also became involved in ecumenical agencies covering many aspects of mission. When Dr. Johnson was elected Moderator of the 95th General Assembly, mission in all its variety and aspects marked his service in that office.
What is “Cutting-Edge Mission”?
Read more about “the cutting edge of mission” in this Presbyterian Connection newspaper article from the Fall 2017 edition by the Rev. Dr. Glynis Williams, Associate Secretary, International Ministries.
The Award
For Service on the Cutting Edge of Mission
In making the award, the committee desires to recognize both the person and the church or organization with whom the person works, with the understanding that God’s mission is incarnated in relationships with sisters and brothers.
The recipient delivers an address to commissioners and guests at the General Assembly. The address is made available in print and is posted on the website. The recipient often makes time available for meetings with leaders in the wider church and secular society and with congregations.
Begun in 1983, the award recipients comprise a list of distinguished church leaders, both in Canada and countries around the world. Our award winners in the last several years have been Dr. Elsa Tamez, Dr. David Pandy-Szekeres, the Very Rev. Dr. John Dunlop, the Rev. Nangula E. Kathindi, the Rev. Dr. Clifton Kirkpatrick, the Rev. Dr. Setri Nyomi, Ms. Karuna Roy, Dr. Ernie Regehr, Dr. Mercy Oduyoye and His Excellency Archbishop Elias Chacour.
Previous Award Recipients
2021
The Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking
Accepted by Julia Drydyk, (Executive Director) on behalf of the organization
Video | Presentation
2019
Sheila Watt-Cloutier
Environmental, Cultural and Human Rights Advocate
Video | Presentation
2018
Dr. George Sabra
Professor of Systematic Theology and President of the Near East School of Theology (NEST) in Beirut, Lebanon
Video | Presentation
2017
Dr. Cindy Blackstock
Executive Director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada
Presentation
2016
Dr. Bernard Sabella
Executive Secretary of the Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees (DSPR) in Jerusalem
Video | Presentation
2015
Canadian Council for Refugees Conseil canadien pour les réfugiés
Accepted by Loly Rico (President) and Janet Dench (Executive Director) on behalf of the organization
Presentation
2014
Canadian Foodgrains Bank
Accepted by Don Peters (Board Chair) and Jim Cornelius (Executive Director) on behalf of the organization
Presentation
2013
Rev. Dr. Abraham Berinyuu
Campaigner for Disability Rights; Champion for Ethnic Reconciliation
Presentation
2012
Sister Eun Sook Han
A Founder and Member of the Diakonia Sisterhood in Korea
Presentation
2011
Boarding Homes Ministry
Accepted by Rev. Rodger Hunter, Chaplain
Presentation
2010
Rev. Dr. Terry LeBlanc
Founder, North American Institute for Indigenous Theological Studies
Presentation
2009
Archbishop Elias Chacour
Melkite Catholic Archbishop of Akka, Haifa, Nazareth and all Galilee; Founder, Mar Elias Educational Institutions
Presentation
2008
Dr. Mercy Oduyoye
Founder, The Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians
Presentation
2007
Dr. Ernie Regehr
Co-Founder, Project Ploughshares
Presentation
2006
Ms. Karuna Roy
Coordinator, HIV/AIDS Program, Church of North India
Presentation
2005
Rev. Dr. Setri Nyomi
General Secretary, The World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC)
Presentation
2004
Rev. Dr. Clifton Kirkpatrick
Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church (USA)
Presentation
2003
Rev. Nangula E. Kathindi
General Secretary, Council of Churches in Namibia
Presentation
2002
The Very Rev. Dr. John Dunlop
Former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland; peace activist
Presentation
2001
Dr. David Pandy-Szekeres
General Director of Schools for the Hungarian Reformed Church of the sub-Carpathian Ukraine
Presentation
2000
Dr. Elsa Tamez
Professor of Biblical Theology, Seminario Biblico Latinoamericano, San-Jose, Costa Rica; women’s advocate
Presentation
1999
Rev. John Bell
Church of Scotland, on behalf of Iona Community; composer of hymns; inner-city youth worker
Presentation
1998
Rev. Héctor Méndez
Pastor of the First Presbyterian-Reformed Church in Cuba; ecumenist
Presentation
1997
Rev. Dr. John Fife
Past Moderator, PCUSA; co-leader of Sanctuary Movement for Central American refugees
Presentation
1996
Rev. Dr. Daniel Szabo
Chief Curator, Hungarian Reformed Church
Presentation
1995
Rev. Dr. Timothy Njoya
Minister, Presbyterian Church of East Africa, Kenya
Presentation
1994
Rev. Dr. John McIntosh and Dr. Clarabeth McIntosh
Minority Rights leaders with The Korean Christian Church in Japan
Presentation
1993
Archbishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu
President of the All Africa Conference of Churches; Nobel Laureate
Presentation
1992
Rev. Russell Self
Presbyterian missionary; Bible Society leader
1991
Rev. Glenda B. Hope
Inner City Minister in San Francisco
1990
Rev. Barbel Wartenburg-Potter
Theologian; advocate against injustice; ecumenist
1989
Ms. Barbara Jackman
Canadian advocate for refugee and immigration rights
1988
Mr. Gabriel Habibe
General Secretary, Middle East Council of Churches
1987
Rev. Dr. Byers Naude
General Secretary, South African Council of Churches; anti-apartheid activist
1986
Rev. Dr. C.M. Kao
General Secretary, Presbyterian Church in Taiwan
1985
Most Reverend Edward Scott
Archbishop, Primate, Anglican Church of Canada
1984
Rev. Dr. In Ha Lee
Minister, The Korean Christian Church in Japan
1983
Rev. Dr. Roy G. Neehall
General Secretary, Caribbean Conference of Churches
Committee Members
- The Rev. Bob Smith (convener), Dr. Rick Allen, the Rev. Dr. Nancy Cocks, Ms. Elizabeth Phillipson.
- Ex Officio: The Rev. Ian Ross-McDonald, General Secretary, Life and Mission Agency.