Woodward honored by MRLC
By Fabvienen Taylor
JACKSON — Mary Woodward, diocesan director of the Department of Evangelization, received the Religious Leadership Award presented by the Mississippi Religious Leadership Conference (MRLC) on Tuesday, March 24.
“I was very honored and humbled that the MRLC would choose to honor me with this award,” said Woodward, who was presented the award by Bishop Joseph Latino.
The award was presented to Woodward, and Josh and Judy Wiener at the organization’s annual banquet at Galloway United Methodist Church.
First presented in 1988, the annual award is given to individuals in recognition of outstanding religious leadership in his/her denomination that has also benefited the overall community.
“Mary has displayed a great deal of leadership and worked diligently with all different faiths in bringing about their common efforts and promoting the mission of the MRLC,” said Bishop Latino.
“Mary fulfills the old adage, ‘If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it,’” he said.
Jeanne Luckett, MRLC board member who served on the awards committee, nominated Woodward, a St. Peter parishioner, for the award.
“Mary is a remarkable woman and is particularly worthy of the award,” said Luckett.
Woodward, she said, “has given significant leadership and direction and breathed renewal into the Mississippi Religious Leadership Conference, keeping us on task and focused on our mission and full of purpose.
“She has stimulated the board to examine itself and to learn more about each other’s faith experiences.”
“In the broad community she takes a very forward role in advancing interfaith dialogue and sponsoring projects that encourage ecumenism.
“One example is her dedicated voluntarism to the ‘Alsace to America’ exhibit for the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience. She has also been very supportive of the International Museum of Muslim Cultures.
“St. Peter Cathedral’s beautiful liturgies are all faithfully correct because of Mary’s knowledge and careful attention to detail, not to mention her training of the altar servers,” Luckett said.
The Mississippi Center for Justice received the Founders’ Memorial Award, in commemoration of MRLC’s founders, for significant interfaith contribution to denomination, community and state.
All awards are pieces of McCarty Pottery of Merigold.
It is used, according to the MRLC, because it is a unique product made from the soil and mud of the Mississippi Delta – clay, water and fire brought together connecting creation to its Creator.
