Faith & Service Awards - 2009

Nancy Baumgardner

In the dozen years that Nancy Baumgardner has been part of Memorial UCC, she has touched so many parts of the life of our congregation, yet she is so quiet and graceful about it that she is not always seen.  She has been heard, however, as a member of the bell choir and the instrumental group as well as with occasional solos.  

She helped shape our expansion to two Sunday worship services, has helped with our church school program, knit prayer shawls and offered words of inspiration wherever they have been needed.  Each fall, she helps our congregation organize for the CROP walk to raise money for Church World Services – the beneficiary of today’s One Great Hour of Sharing offering.  Each December, she organizes the Cookie and Craft Sale, that not only provides holiday treats and gifts, but also supports our partner church in Bethlehem.  

She organized our spectacular farewell events for Pastor Bonnie and she will be co-leading the Southwest Association’s trip to Israel and Palestine this coming August. And if that’s not enough, she is also on the emergency call list when our security system sends out an alarm.

Her participation has helped make Memorial into a place rich in music and expansive in it connections to the world.

Keith Von Der Heide

When Keith Von Der Heide joined Memorial in 1998, he probably had no idea how central he would become to the life of this congregation. But it did not take him long to get involved. He was part of the strategic planning committee set up in the late 1990s to look at how the congregation should handle its growth.  He became part of the trustees and also became the church treasurer.

One of the qualities honored by this award is someone whose service is often done in the background. Most people here don’t see Keith sitting at the computer, paying the bills, making extra trips to write out a check for a family in need. They don’t see his long-time attendance at Council meetings to help guide the direction of the church.  

We see the amazing work that Connie Von Der Heide does with our music program, especially in her work as a staff member with our children’s choir. We see the active participation of their children – Katy and Kyle – in so much of our life around here.  But this award honors Keith for that steady commitment he has shown to our congregation. His work literally keeps the lights on here and his dedication is a real beacon of faith and service.