Courageous women honored at Scarritt Bennett dinner

Translate Page

United Methodist Bishop Minerva Carcaño received the Ann L. Reskovac Courage Award from Scarritt Bennett Center on Dec. 6 in recognition for her work as an immigration activist.

Carcaño, who leads the California-Pacific Conference, has been an outspoken advocate for comprehensive immigration reform for more than 10 years. She has promoted a variety of ways to dialogue including a bilateral ministry between the United States and Mexico.

The bishop has brought her message of compassion to President Barack Obama and members of Congress on several occasions. She was arrested twice outside the White House in acts of civil disobedience to draw the nation’s attention to caring for the millions of undocumented people in the U.S.

She has worked beyond advocacy with organizations such as Humane Borders to establish water stations for those crossing the desert.

Carcaño was elected to the episcopacy in 2004 by the denomination’s Western Jurisdictional Conference, the first Hispanic woman ever elected bishop. She was assigned to the Phoenix Area on Sept. 1, 2004. After eight years, she was assigned to the Los Angeles Area in 2012.

Scarritt Bennett Center, a nonprofit educational center and conference and special events venue, started an annual awards dinner seven years ago to honor social justice activists who have embodied the core values and mission of the center in their lives and work.

Others honored at the 2014 awards dinner were: Rosetta Miller-Perry, publisher and civil rights activist; Barbara E. Campbell, United Methodist deaconess; Sue C. Johnson, president of Nashville district of United Methodist Women and advocate for local mission work; and Anne Fleming Williams for service to the National Black Methodist for Church Renewal, the James Memorial United Methodist Church and the Eastern Pennsylvania Commission on the Status and Role of Women.

Scarritt Bennett Center was originally a training school for female missionaries in Missouri. The Women’s Ministry Council gave it to the 1926 General Conference, and it became an institution of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, with the council as its administrator.  The property now belongs to United Methodist Women.

News contact: Kathy L. Gilbert at (615) 742-5470 or [email protected]


Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.

Sign up for our newsletter!

UMNEWS-SUBSCRIPTION
Mission and Ministry
Tim Tanton, United Methodist Communications. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS.

Why church should care about press freedom

World Press Freedom Day is a time to reflect on the importance of newsgathering and the ties that connect freedom of expression and religion.
Mission and Ministry
Tim Tanton (center, in red), chief news and information officer for United Methodist Communications, shares updates with African communicators and other UMCom staff during the 2019 General Conference. World Press Freedom Day, observed May 3, commemorates journalists and highlights the difficulties they face while reporting truth. File photo by Kathleen Barry, UM News

World Press Freedom Day and the church

Tim Tanton with United Methodist News talks about giving voice to the voiceless and why freedom of information is essential not only for society but for the church.
Evangelism
The Rev. Cecelia Marpleh, district superintendent for the Liberia Conference, presents a motorbike to Pastor William Kulah for his travels to Gbanjuloma United Methodist Church each week. With the motorbike, it takes him five hours to get to his assigned church. Photo be E Julu Swen, UMNS.

Bicycles, motorbikes help spread gospel in Liberia

Local pastors continue to benefit from church’s Bikes and Bibles ministry as they travel long distances to lead worship, evangelize.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2023 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved