A talented teenager and a generous four-year-old have become the latest recipients of the United Reformed Church (URC) Lundie Memorial Award.
Rhona Tealby-Watson, 14, of Abbey Road URC in the denomination’s Eastern Synod became the first winner of 2022 for using her digital skills for the benefit of others.
Rhona supported online worship in her local pastorate by mixing and editing recordings of singers and organ music to create effective hymns and songs to play as part of the weekly Zoom service.
The teenager also used her time to assist in junior church, create flower arrangements, and create PowerPoint slides with the order of worship and to share hymn words with congregations during services.
All this at a time when Rhona was busy preparing for her GCSEs and caring for a vulnerable family member despite having health concerns of her own.
Four-year-old Eveline Robinson of Mersey Synod, was delighted to receive her award from Steven Mitchell, the synod’s Children’s and Youth Development Officer at a special service in December.
Eveline was nominated because she voluntarily started to hand out hymn books and orders of service for the weekly worship and collecting these up again as people leave.
Having been welcomed into the church as a toddler, she now greets others as they arrive at the church and has also been keen to take the lead in demonstrating an intergenerational activity for a special service.
Eveline spent her £100 award on resources to stock the children’s corner in the sanctuary of her church, Trinity URC Wigan.
Each month, a medal, certificate and a financial gift of £100 will be award to a young person to be spent on the benefit children and/or young people in the church, synod or local community, however the award winner chooses.
If you would like to make a nomination, see https://urc.org.uk/your-church/lundie-memorial-awards/