Saugatuck First Congretational church pastor Rev. Sarah Terlouw received the Harry R. Butman Award from the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches at their annual meeting and conference in St. Louis June 21-24.
Butman, a Congregational minister and ardent proponent of the faith, graduated from Bangor Theological Seminary in Maine and served several churches before moving to California as minister of the Congregational Church of the Messiah in Westchester.
He believed in encouraging ministers and their spouses in their work on behalf of the church. The Butman Award is given to a minister with at least 10 years of service in a NACCC church who has made a significant contribution to Congregationalism and exemplifies a personal commitment to faith, freedom and fellowship.
Known as “Pastor Sarah,” Terlouw will celebrate 10 years at First Congregational Church of Saugatuck this October. She also served two years at Hampshire Colony Congregational Church in Princeton, Ill.
“I have long considered the Batman Award a kind of lifetime achievement recognition,” she said on receiving the honor. “I am beyond honored and will consider this award something to live into for many years of service to come.”
Church members Revs. Wendy and Tom Van Tassell along with church moderator, Kristyn Boyce, submitted Terlouw’s nomination this spring to the NACC Vitality Ministry Council.
Additional support letters came fromRev. Todd Van Grouw of Grand Junction, Rev. Justin Nierer of Sandstone Congregational Church in Jackson and Cathy Brockington, immediate past FCC/Saugatuck moderator,
While attending the meeting,Terlouw was elected to serve on the NACCC Board of Directors.
First Congregational Church of Saugatuck, at the corner of Hoffman and Griffith, meets for worship on Sundays at 10 a.m..
