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| Jena Roy reacts while receiving the Andy Gustafson Award from Minister & President Jim Antal. |
The award was named in honor of Andy Gustafson,who served as Associate Conference Minister for Stewardship and Financial Development for 10 years before his death to cancer in May, 2014. During that time, Andy inspired countless UCC members, pastors and congregations to live more abundantly, to hope without constraint, to share with joy and enthusiasm the gifts God had given them, and to wake up each morning with gratitude and generosity in their hearts.
The first recipient, Jennifer J. (Jena) Roy, was ordained by the Metropolitan Boston Association on April 8, 2015. Over the past few years, Jena has served as interfaith staff chaplain at local hospitals where she has supported patients, families and staff, primarily in Intensive Care Units. In addition to being an active member and leader at First Congregational Church, UCC Winchester, Jena also served as an interim associate pastor. She served as a Conference Staff Stewardship Associate (2010-2011), led a Stewardship Community of Practice, has preached and led workshops at many area UCC churches, and has been a member of the Stewardship Commission and Lay Leadership Council of the Conference.
“I first met Jena at a Stewardship University event organized by Andy in 2007,” said Conference Minster & President The Rev. Jim Antal. “Andy tipped me off and told me to be sure to attend Jena’s workshop – and was I ever moved! Here was someone who left a very successful career in finance to pursue a calling in ministry (not unlike Andy’s move from being an attorney to ministry). Also like Andy, she spoke from experience, and from the heart. And one thing more, like Andy, Jena communicates with such spiritual integrity that the more you listen, the more willing you are to open up with candor and transparency. Andy would be overjoyed at Jena’s nomination as the first recipient of the Andy Gustafson Award.”