The Rev Russell C. Schmidt, Mr. John Selmar and Dr. Harold H. Wilke received awards from the United Church of Christ.
The following three awards were presented at the United Church Board for Homeland Ministries Banquet Program on July 4, 1999 at General Synod 22:
1. To a Person With a Disability Who Has Made An Outstanding Contribution to Church and Society: The Rev. Russell C. Schmidt, Grand Rapids, Michigan
The Reverend Russell C. Schmidt has been a true pioneer in the church and in society on behalf of persons with disabilities. While serving as Minister of Education at First Congregational Church, Benton Harbor, Michigan, he helped the church and the community become more accessible by lovingly pointing out the obstacles he and others faced. Schmidt returned to Benton Harbor in 1993 to participate in First Congregational’s celebration of full accessibility, preaching a sermon entitled, “The Time of Celebration is at Hand.” In 1964, Schmidt wrote an article for The United Church Herald using the imagery for people of limited mobility of being stranded on a small island with no access to the mainland. Following his pastoral work, Schmidt served the Michigan Department of Rehabilitation.
2. To A Person Without a Disability Who Has Made An Outstanding Contribution To Church And Society: Mr. John Selmar, Seattle, Washington
With warmth and genuine caring, John Selmar, a master clinician, has served as a speech pathologist and writer who gently has touched the lives of many people with disabilities and their families. His professional life is not so much a career as it is a montage of healing stories — a young child with a speech deficit who leads a school production; former patients who become speech pathologists; a basketball player who moves beyond cultural speech barriers to become a bank vice-president; a doctor who stutters becomes a university lecturer. But, John has not only been a healer. He tirelessly extended himself in the public arena -serving on university training boards, supervising interns, and serving on and consulting with a multitude of committees. John Selmar has been and is an agent of healing and change, freeing others to speak and lead whatever their abilities.
3. A Special Award of Service to God: Rev. Dr. Harold H. Wilke, Claremont, California
The National Committee on Persons with Disabilities bestows upon Harold Wilke a Special Award of Lifetime Service to God. Not only within the United Church of Christ, but, people within the whole United States remember Wilke looking over the shoulder of President Bush and then handing him a pen with his foot as Bush signed the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act. Wilke was present on stage in 1995 when General Synod XX passed the resolution calling upon the whole church to be morally bound by the ADA. Harold has touched the lives of so many people — writing extensively, speaking tirelessly, pastoring always — awakening many to the gifts and talents of people with disabilities. At the age of 14, as he knelt during his confirmation, his pastor spoke these prophetic words, “Let this child go to theological seminary and become a minister of the church.” This minister with no arms is revered throughout the UCC
and has taught us all the true meaning of trusting the embracing arms of God.
Looking ahead to General Synod 23, 2001, the UCC Disabilities Ministries will establish the Virginia Kreyer Award. The Rev. Virginia Kreyer, Garden City, NY, established the UCC Disabilities Ministries, beginning in the 1970’s, and served as its first consultant until 1995.
Her pioneering efforts will be recognized at the next General Synod. UCCDM will establish an award in her name to be offered to persons who have been true pioneers in the disability ministries. Kreyer will be its first recipient.
From UCC DM Newsletter Archive