The Church Council of Greater Seattle is excited to announce the 2016 Rev. Gertrude Apel Pioneering Spirit Awardees: First African Methodist Episcopal Church, Seattle, led by Senior Pastor Carey G. Anderson; and Marty Hartman, Executive Director of Mary’s Place.
Rev. Gertrude Apel Pioneering Spirit Award for a Congregation:
First African Methodist Episcopal Church, Seattle,
led by Senior Pastor Carey G. Anderson
First African Methodist Episcopal Church’s (FAME) historical legacy as a center of spiritual worship and formation focused outward in service, mission and civil rights has continued to its present community leadership in building bridges toward the Beloved Community rooted in love and justice. FAME is a font of welcome and a hub for faithful action. FAME blazes the path of bringing healing and unity to our community. In the wake of last year’s horrific shooting and massacre at its sister church, Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, they promptly brought the community together to grieve and to take action, holding a public, interfaith vigil; a March for Solidarity with Charleston Nine; and a series of Round-table Dialogues on Race. FAME is a model of building bridges as a community of faith toward a just and equitable future for all.
Rev. Gertrude Apel Pioneering Spirit Award for an Individual:
Marty Hartman
Marty embodies the pioneering work that the Gertrude Apel award connotes, meeting the needs of homeless families and turning crisis into opportunity. Her commitment, knowledge, passion, creativity, innovation, and building of connections has led to the expansion of programs to meet the needs of vulnerable women and children, most notably through Mary’s Place where she has been Executive Director since 2009, and manager of the day center when the program began in 1999.
Please join us in honoring First African Methodist Episcopal Church and Marty Hartman in a ceremony during the Weaving Our Strengths Conference on Saturday, October 22 at Seattle First Baptist Church. We’ll be honoring the Apel Awardees at 1:15 p.m. The ceremony is free and open to the public. RSVP to Ann is helpful but not necessary. Learn more about the Apel Awardees and the Weaving Our Strengths Conference.