The Massachusetts Conference honored a number of individuals and churches at the 215th Annual Meeting June 14 in recognition of their ministries. A look at the honorees follows:
2014 Justice and Witness Haystack Awards for outstanding service in charitable mission/justice
Awarded to Christopher Blake and Daniel Hall, for their work in promoting, supporting and sustaining the work and mission of the Uganda Rural Fund.

Chris has been a passionate and creative advocate for the children and families of the community around the village of Kytume. He has a deep sensitivity to the people and their lives, and is always committed to empowering local leadership to envision and define their own vision and program. Chris has been instrumental in sharing the story of the URF through personal presentations and through development of resources. His capacity to articulate the lives of the families and children the URF serves has lent much to the success of their ministry.
Dan follows a long line of family members who have devoted their lives to the service of communities through international mission. He is a direct descendant of Gordon Hall, one of five missionaries commissioned at the Salem Tabernacle in 1812. For his own part, Dan has devoted his life to the service of others. He served as a UCC missionary in southern Africa, and worked locally as a case worker for Pine Street Inn in Boston. In his trips to Uganda, Dan has invested the children and families of Masaka and Kytume with hope. Through his teaching, his leadership, his singing, and his generous financial support, Dan has fostered growth and promise to the people struggling on the margins of our world.
The Justice and Witness Council feels that these two dedicated and faithful people exemplify the core spirit of the Haystack awards – reaching out into the world in mission and justice as well as transforming their own community at home.
2014 Haystack Award Nominees
Rev. Dr. Nancy Taylor, Marilyn Adams and Diane Gaucher for their work in the aftermath of the Boston bombings and in particular the scarf project. Old South Church, BostonElliott Stratton for his years of tireless service on behalf of the marginalized and oppressed. South Congregational Church, Springfield
Eloise Clawson for her 30-year supportive, collaborative relationship with Dr. Vicky Guzman, founder of the organization ASAPROSAR (Salvadoran Association for Rural Health- established 1986). United Church of Christ, Norwell
Joan Appleton for her work in addressing the problem of hunger in and around the town of Acton over the past 30 years is exemplary. Acton Congregational Church, Acton
2014 Church Development Bold New Initiative Awards
Awarded to Estelle Margarones of Pilgrim Church in North Weymouth for the Mind, Body and Spirit events; and to the Hispanic Ministry Working Team.

Relationships have been established with community organizations to serve as speakers and workshop leaders and to provide volunteer activities. Each monthly program includes a guided meditation led by Pilgrim’s minister and the inspiration behind this program, Estelle Margarones. Pilgrim renovated a room to make it welcoming. Often, the workshop has a service project for a follow-up activity. There are ten core attendees, 6 from the congregation and 4 from the community (Weymouth, Rockland, and Braintree). Some attendees and others who have learned of this small church because of this outreach program have come to Sunday worship. On a recent Sunday there were ten visitors!
The Mind, Body, Spirit program of Pilgrim Church in North Weymouth exemplifies what a small congregation can do to support the spiritual but not religious in the community.

We celebrate the ongoing work that exemplifies the Church Development Council’s commitment in identifying and spotlighting Bold New Initiatives. The following people were recognized for their collaboration vision and faithfulness in making God’s love and Justice real: Felix Carrion (Consultant), Cesar DePaz (Consultant), Lisa DePaz (Consultant), Jonathan Goodell, Peter Lovett, Robert Ochoa, Yesenia Menendez, Danneza Torres, Esther Rendon Thompson, Don Remick (MACUCC staff), Bob Pazmino and Edwin Navarrete.