The 2020 Esther Awards

2020 is a year that, for most of us, will not be remembered fondly.  Sure, the Chiefs won the Super Bowl in February, but it seemed like it was all downhill from there.  We had a pandemic, civil unrest, and one of the most contentious elections that most of us can remember.  As I reflect on this past year, I’m reminded of the book of Esther.  This relatively short book in the Old Testament tells the story of a young Jewish woman in the 5th Century BC named Esther who becomes queen and saves the Jewish people from destruction at the hands of the evil Haman.  One of the themes of the story is that God calls this ordinary woman during extraordinary times to do extraordinary things to save his people.  One of my favorite verses comes from chapter 4, where Esther’s uncle Mordecai persuades her to help her people by telling her, “And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”  

This past year we have seen so many ordinary people step up and do extraordinary things for the life of our church.  And while it is always difficult to give recognition to a few people for fear of leaving others out, I am going to nevertheless give it a shot in what I am calling “The 2020 Esther Awards.”  The following people, listed in no particular order, have been selected for going above and beyond the call of duty in service to All Saints in 2020.

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