Woman of Faith Award

The Presbyterian Church in Canada, the Order of Diaconal Ministries and the Women’s Missionary Society established an award to recognize the work of women within The Presbyterian Church in Canada.

The Presbyterian Woman of Faith Awards are given to women who are part of The Presbyterian Church in Canada who should be honoured either for faithful service, a specific accomplishment, or a lifetime of achievement.

The recipients of this award will be recognized at a banquet at the National Presbyterian Women’s Gathering on Sunday May 17, 2020.

Only individuals who are nominated are considered for the award. A nomination form must be completed by a court or organization of The Presbyterian Church in Canada. Any congregation, group, college, camp or court may nominate a woman. The Woman of Faith Awards Committee considers all submitted nominations and decides the award recipients.

One of the purposes of the Woman of Faith Awards is to create an environment within The Presbyterian Church in Canada where the stories of women in ministry can be shared and celebrated. With that in mind, we encourage all nominators to share the profile that is written with the woman who has been nominated and to celebrate her and her ministry in your group and/or congregation.

Faithful Service
For a woman who has dedicated her efforts to her local congregation and/or community.

Specific Accomplishment
For a woman whose envisioning and launching of a particular ministry or project has impacted her church and/or community.

Lifetime of Achievement
For a woman who has impacted the wider church through her legacy within congregations, committees, courts and ministries of the PCC, in Canada or internationally.

Presbyterian Woman of Faith Awards 2020 Recipients

The Presbyterian Woman of Faith Awards were established by The Presbyterian Church in Canada, the Women’s Missionary Society and the Order of Diaconal Ministries to honour the courageous and faithful work of women within our church and to share individual stories of women in ministry. The 2020 Presbyterian Woman of Faith Awards has been presented to the following three women:

Faithful Service – Judith Chamberlain
Judith ChamberlainJudith Chamberlain is a lifelong member of Guthrie Presbyterian Church in Melbourne, ON. Judith has served as an elder for over 30 years, served as the representative elder to presbytery, and leads the Christian Education Committee. She volunteers assisting adults with disabilities, providing programs, foot care and other services. Judith’s main passion has been ministering to children. Judith welcomes new families to the community and encourages the children to know Jesus. Leading Vacation Bible Camp, monthly kid’s programs and outreach services for families, Judith is the embodiment of the church for many children in the community. Young people may not know the minister, but they know Judith. Judith finds ways to help people in small, faithful ways over and over again. She lives her faith for all to see. Judith exemplifies the Christian values of loving others and thinking of others first. She acts as the hands and feet of Christ in Melbourne and is a true example of a faithful servant of God.

Specific Accomplishment – The Rev. Carol Hamilton
The Rev. Carol HamiltonThe Rev. Carol Hamilton is a part-time minister at Knox Presbyterian Church-Harrington and a registered nurse psychotherapist with her own practice in Stratford, ON. In 2006, Carol and her friend, Linda Willis, travelled to Malawi as part of a PWS&D study tour. Upon her return to Canada, Carol found it impossible to forget the faces and voices of the girls and women she had met. After four years of research and learning, Carol and Linda founded Change Her World, a Canadian charity focused on removing the barriers that hinder and prevent girls from attending school and being educated in the developing world. In 2020 Change Her World will celebrate their 10-year anniversary and recently reached a significant financial milestone of having raised one million dollars since its foundation. Carol’s depth of knowledge and skill in small business entrepreneurship and her expertise in the healthcare field have contributed to the success of this charity. Carol expresses her faith in everything that she does whether counselling clients, preaching on a Sunday morning, or working with volunteers in Canada and Malawi to operate Change Her World with integrity and transparency. Her faith is at the core of who she is and has enable her to impact the lives of many in significant ways. Carol is an example of how ordinary people can make a huge difference in a life that had no hope.

Lifetime of Achievement – Joan Smith
Joan SmithJoan Smith is a longtime member of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, Port Hope, ON where has served for many years as an elder, Clerk of Session, President of Annie Purves WMS group, bible study leader, and Christian educator. For forty years she has served the WMS in various capacities on presbyterial, synodical and national council. Her love for the Women’s Missionary Society (WMS) is great and demonstrated in all she has done. During her time as President of Peterborough Presbyterial, Joan initiated a mission conference called “Autumn Adventure” which ran for twelve years. Joan has shown leadership during times of transition and uncertainty, overseeing the change of Toronto-Kingston synodical to Central, Northeastern Ontario and Bermuda (CNOB) synodical during her term as Synodical President, and working with the task force charged with reviewing the role of the WMS in the life and mission of the PCC. Joan has also been an advocate of justice through her promotion of the work of PWS&D and involvement with Truth and Reconciliation events across Canada as Council President. Joan’s faith has guided her all along her journey of life as a servant of the Lord. She has been dedicated and committed to her calling to serve God through her congregation and the WMS and is a true woman of faith.

For more information about the award please visit presbyterian.ca/WOFA.

Eligibility

The award is open to women who are part of The Presbyterian Church in Canada including the laity, elders, diaconal ministers, missionaries and clergy.

Faithful Service
Nomination form details required:

  1. Provide a short profile of the woman being nominated. (max. 200 words)
  2. Describe the areas of involvement and or service in her congregation or community. (max. 250 words)
  3. How does her involvement impact the church and/or community?  (max. 200 words)
  4. Describe the way her faith is expressed and demonstrated in her life. (max. 100 words)
  5. In one paragraph, summarize the reasons why you are nominating this woman for this category. (See information about past award recipients below for an example of a summarizing paragraph.) (max. 250 words)

Specific Accomplishment
Nomination form details required:

  1. Provide a short profile of the woman being nominated. (max. 200 words)
  2. Describe the project, ministry or mission and this person’s involvement. (max. 250 words)
  3. How is this ministry affecting the church, congregation and/or community? (max. 200 words)
  4. Describe the way her faith is expressed and demonstrated in her life. (max. 100 words)
  5. In one paragraph, summarize the reasons why you are nominating this woman for this category. (See information about past award recipients below for an example of a summarizing paragraph.) (max. 250 words)

Lifetime of Achievement
Nomination form details required:

  1. Provide a short profile of the woman being nominated. (max. 200 words)
  2. List where and how she has been involved in the wider ministry of The Presbyterian Church in Canada and community. (max. 250 words)
  3. Describe her legacy within a congregation, specialized missions, the national church and/or community. (max. 200 words)
  4. Describe the way her faith is expressed and demonstrated in her life. (max. 100 words)
  5. In one paragraph, summarize the reasons why you are nominating this woman for this category. (See information about past award recipients below for an example of a summarizing paragraph.) (max. 250 words)

Past Recipients

The Presbyterian Church in Canada, the Women’s Missionary Society and the Order of Diaconal Ministries established this award to recognize the courageous and faithful work of women within our church. Nominations were received from across the church.

More about the Recipients

Audrey Miller – Faithful Service

Audrey MillerAudrey Miller has been a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Ottawa for 55 years where her faith is demonstrated through her service to others, but also from her commitment to a life of prayer and a willingness to hear God’s calling. She served as an elder for 25 years, a Sunday school teacher/superintendent, and actively served on many other committees. She has always had a special interest in youth ministry and Canadian Girls in Training (CGIT). She served as a group leader, was a member of the Ottawa CGIT Committee and a representative on the National CGIT Association. Audrey is an initiator. When she sees a need she finds a way to meet it. This includes initiating an enduring sandwich ministry for one of Ottawa’s inner city drop-ins, Centre 507, initiating the congregational prayer chain, and prayer partners which matches seniors with youth in the church. She knits scarves for those who need them and more recently initiated a muffin ministry at a local mall which has created a network of care for seniors in her neighbourhood. Audrey is a role model of Christian service to others: her incredible energy, enthusiasm and generosity of spirit comes from deep abiding faith in the Lord.

Joy Randall – Lifetime of Achievement

Joy Randall

Joy Randall served as a missionary in Taiwan for 35 years, from 1969 to 2004, as head of nursing at Changhua Christian Hospital. After retirement she returned to Canada and is a vital presence in her home congregation of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Cobourg, Ontario. Joy’s work and ministry in Taiwan has been honoured numerous times by local government and associations in Taiwan, including an honourary citizenship in Changhua County in 2004. Her legacy of service has strengthened the faith of the people with whom she has had the opportunity to interact and work. In retirement Joy continues to serve both the local and national church. She is an active elder, choir member, provides pastoral care within the congregation and provides pulpit supply in her area. Joy is an active member of the Women’s Missionary Society (WMS) where she currently serves as president of the Peterborough Presbyterial and immediate past president of the Central, Northeastern Ontario and Bermuda Synodical. She is actively involved in the work of the wider church through her service on various national committees including the Advisory Committee for International Ministries, the Committee to Advise the Moderator and the Planning Team for the National Women’s Gathering. Her service to the WMS and the local church is born out of a desire to be in connection with people, to share the good news and live a life full of service. Joy’s legacy of service has impacted people both in Canada and internationally.

The Rev. Dr. Margaret Mullin – Specific Accomplishment

Margaret MullinThe Rev. Dr. Margaret Mullin has a passion for inner city mission. She has served as the Executive Director of Winnipeg Inner City Missions since 2003. Margaret has devoted her life to healing and reconciliation between the church and Canada’s First Nations and Indigenous people and often serves as a bridge between the two worlds to help find ways to heal from the past and move forward together in peace. Margaret played a large role in the successful merger of Flora House and Anishinabe Fellowship Centre to become Winnipeg Inner City Missions in 2004. In 2007, Margaret spearheaded the initiative to build a 20-unit transitional housing complex called Anishinabe Place of Hope and worked hard to secure funding for the enormous building campaign. Margaret also serves as the minister for Place of Hope Congregation which was constituted by the Presbytery of Winnipeg on November 30, 2014. Margaret advocated for the congregation to be given official status within the presbytery allowing members to vote in the courts of the church. Margaret has dedicated her life to providing a safe environment for people to become a safe community of believers together, as well as to share in worship that welcomes and respects all people and integrates Christian and Indigenous traditional spiritual teachings. Margaret’s motto is: ENGAGE people with unconditional love, ENCOURAGE them at every step of their way and EMPOWER them to take charge of their own life. Margaret’s down-to-earth preaching provides solutions from God’s word for life’s everyday challenges. She offers unconditional acceptance, meets people where they are and stirs hope that life can be different. Her work in the inner city of Winnipeg with the marginalized and outcasts of society speaks volumes about the Jesus after whom she patterns her ministry.

The Presbyterian Church in Canada, the Women’s Missionary Society and the Order of Diaconal Ministries established this award to recognize the courageous and faithful work of women within our church. Nominations were received from across the church.

The year 2014 was the inaugural year of the award and, as such, the committee felt it was appropriate to honour more than one woman. Six awards were presented this year.

  • Dr. Pauline Brown, India/Canada
  • Mrs. Helen Macdonald, St.Andrew’s Pres. Church Orillia, Ontario
  • The Rev. Helen Smith, Centennial Pres. Church, Calgary, Alberta
  • Dr. Margaret Taylor, Gale Pres. Church, Elmira, Ontario
  • Dr. Lois Klempa, Beaconsfield, Quebec (Posthumously)
  • Mrs. Doreen McDougall, Westminster Pres. Church, Ottawa, Ontario (Posthumously)

More about the Recipients

Dr. Pauline Brown

Dr. Pauline BrownPauline dreamed of going to India as a young girl. At the age of 25, after having served as a navy nurse, the Women’s Missionary Society sent her to work in India as a nurse among the Bhil people. For 55 years she faithfully served God and the Bhil people in various capacities, but always with a focus on health care and education. Though she knew little about being a missionary, she credits the WMS for encouraging her to stay in India to work and minister alongside the people. Now retired, she lives most of the year in Jobat, India as a beloved elder in the community she served for many years.

Helen Macdonald

Helen MacDonaldHelen has faithfully served her congregation for many years and in many roles, including being a member of the mission and outreach committee, ladies auxiliary, cemetery board and clerk of session. Not only has Helen served her church, but she has shared her expertise and talent with her community through Richmond House, Couchiching Jubilee House and helping to found the ODAC (Orillia District and Area Churches). Helen has also actively participated in the Quota Club since 1963, including serving as the International President from 1989-1990. She has worked tirelessly for over 50 years supporting those in their time of need and carrying out commitments faithfully.

The Rev. Helen Smith

Helen SmithHelen serves the church with creativity and faithfulness in a wide variety of ministries. For 35 years, Helen has ministered from Evangel Hall Mission in Toronto, Calgary Urban Projects Society, Camp Kannawin in Sylvan Lake, AB, to congregational ministry in Edmonton, Southern Ontario and Calgary, giving generously of her time and many talents in each ministry. Her wide experience is deeply appreciated as she serves on boards and committees, both in her local community and nationally, working to carry out God’s call to ministry. She represented The Presbyterian Church in Canada on the Caribbean and North American Area Council of the World Communion of Reformed Churches. She served as chair of the Life and Mission Agency.

Dr. Margaret Taylor

Dr. Margaret TaylorMargaret is a pioneer in the advancement of the status of women in The Presbyterian Church in Canada. She crisscrossed Canada, by any mode of transportation, to present her vision of Christian Education. Margaret was the first woman appointed to the Board of the Missionary and Deaconess Training School and later the chair of the Building Campaign to build a new training college which was renamed Ewart College. As a ground breaker, she was the first woman to chair an Assembly Board of the PCC. She served on a number of national boards and committees within the PCC as a member and chairperson, often as the first or only female member, including chairing the task force on “Liberty of Conscience as it pertains to the Ordination of Women.” Margaret also served as a member of the Canadian Advisory Council on the Status of Women. She is a role model and an inspiration to all women.

Dr. Lois Klempa

Dr. Lois KlempaLois, who studied at Ewart College, was a passionate feminist who fought for women’s rights and was a spirited advocate of women in ministry. She travelled and worked in churches in the United States and Scotland and was an energetic member of her home congregations. She was very active in her local WMS and served as president of the presbyterial and synodical, and on the national executive. She also served on the 1997 Presbyterian Hymn Book and Worship Book committees and was a strong advocate for inclusive language in worship. Her enduring legacy is her history of the WMS, Certain Women Amazed Us, for which she was the principal author.

Doreen McDougall

Doreen McDougallDoreen was a woman of faith that reached out to others, to stand with them during times of stress. She was an active leader in her congregation, serving on many committees such as mission and outreach, worship and nurture, Christian education, pastoral care and congregational life. She was a long-time elder and served as the clerk of session during a very difficult transition and subsequent amalgamation in the life of her congregation. Doreen was an inspiration and a great comfort in all situations, never wavering in her own faith. Well done good and faithful servant.

—Photos courtesy of the Presbyterian Record magazine

For more information, contact Liz Brewer, Ministry and Church Vocations, 1-800-619-7301 ext. 248.