East Ohio MFSA presents two Bishop James S. Thomas Leadership awards
In 2004, the East Ohio chapter of the Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA) inaugurated an annual award to recognize people for excellent leadership in peace and justice ministries in the church and the world. Following a 2-year delay due to COVID, two recipients received the Bishop James S Thomas Leadership awards in 2022. The 2020 award recipient was Joy T Watts and the 2021 award recipient was Rev. Debbie Gibbons. Learn more about the recipients below.
The East Ohio MFSA Chapter awarded Joy T. Watts the Bishop James S Thomas Leadership Award for 2020. Joy has actively served with MFSA, Reconciling Ministries Network, UMW, East Ohio Conference, General Conference, Conference Commission on Religion and Race, and is a board member of PFLAG. Read below for an excerpt from the award brochure:
“Joy Thompson Watts has always centered her life “on what [she} believes God wants [her] to do.” A UMC PK (preacher’s kid”) and daughter of a teacher, as well as being a teacher herself, she has interwoven pastoral leadership, preaching and teaching in answering God’s call upon her to help lead The United Methodist Church (and many others) to understand and move to full inclusion of all God’s children, especially those of the LBGT+ community, in the life of the church, including ordination. Joy is both wonderfully passionate and compassionate.
She is a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ whose very being embraces and epitomizes Bishop Thomas’ strong-yet-gentle leadership style and activism. Joy lives out her God-centered life by doing what the Lord requires: “... to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8) and to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind ... and to love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:34-40).” (Excerpt from the award brochure)
You can view the presentation and acceptance video here.
The East Ohio MFSA Chapter awarded Pastor Debbie Gibbons the Bishop James S Thomas Leadership Award for 2021. Pastor Debbie Gibbons retired in 2018 after 26 years of service as an ordained elder in East Ohio Annual Conference. In her retirement, she co-pastors Nottingham UMC, overseeing extensive mission to the community. Read below for an excerpt from the award brochure:
“The Rev. Debbie Gibbons has long worked alongside those who are under-served and marginalized in society—her call is based on service to people whom others often ignore or disdain. She spends long hours with people who navigate difficulty every day, sacrificing much of her own time and personal resources to care for others. She does not “fix” people or offer charity; instead she accompanies them and helps them find resources to walk the path toward higher wellbeing. Debbie also is fully aware of the systems that work against those who live on the margins, is not afraid to name them, and holds institutions accountable for their part in furthering values based on preserving the dominant culture, including perpetuating inequity and exclusion.”
You can view the presentation and acceptance video here.
MFSA is grateful for members and chapters who are seeking justice and taking action in their communities around the country and globe!
Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA) is a grassroots organization. We make change through Regional Communities, generally connected to an annual conference of the United Methodist Church, across the United States and the world.
Connect with your regional community and become a member of MFSA. Don’t have one? Then join through a general membership. Contact MFSA’s national office at mfsa@mfsaweb.org to connect or talk about starting a regional office.