APCE announces its educators of the year

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The announcements were made on Oct. 2 in APCE’s e-newsletter with descriptions of the contributions made by each of these individuals included in the October edition of APCE’s “Advocate” publication.

According to the “Advocate,” the Enrich-Educator of the Year Award recognizes “those serving in the field of educational ministries as our professors, church leaders, authors and spiritual guides who are actively serving in the field of educational ministry.” APCE describes Wilson as having “dedicated her life to inclusive Christian formation that connects individuals, links disciples to resources, and empowers all ages for leadership and service” and calls her “instrumental in resourcing, connecting and equipping leaders to foster Christian formation in their faith communities.” Wilson has served in the PC(USA)’s Office of Christian Formation since 2021. Prior to that, she served as director of Children’s Ministries at First Presbyterian Church and educator at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, both in Dallas. She also supports camp ministries through Grace Presbytery KidQuake Elementary Camp and Camp Gilmont.

Wilson received the news while among a group of leaders dedicated to the Christian formation of all ages who had gathered at the Mo-Ranch conference and retreat center as part of an annual meeting of the Christian Formation Collective Partnership, which consists of leaders from APCE, the Presbyterian Older Adult Ministry Network, UKirk Collegiate Ministries, the Presbyterian Youth Workers’ Association, and the Presbyterian Church Camp and Conference Association. Wilson responded to the outpouring of congratulations from PC(USA) staff with gratitude. “I am humbled by the recognition and look forward to celebrating in Memphis at the APCE annual event. It was so nice to be with our Christian Formation Collective Partners at Mo-Ranch this week when it was announced.”

The Sustain-Lifetime Achievement Award goes to the “retired educator whose life of service will be remembered and emulated. The Rev. Roberta Dodds-Ingersoll and the Rev. Zeta Lamberson certainly fit this description. Ingersoll describes herself as “a Presbyterian’s Presbyterian.” A child of a Presbyterian pastor, she was baptized, confirmed, married and ordained in PC(USA) churches. She also studied and worked at Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina. She has been active in the leadership of Presbyterian Women and APCE.

Lamberson has served churches of all sizes in Virginia, South Carolina, West Virginia and Georgia. While serving as associate pastor at Peachtree Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, Lamberson helped to start large church educator gatherings through the PC(USA) and APCE, which preceded the APCE annual gatherings. She has served APCE in several capacities, including as its president in 2015. She has also served in leadership with the Montreat Youth Conference and Cherokee Presbytery and on the writing teams of several curricula. Though retired, she returned to teaching the Bible at First Presbyterian Church in Marietta, Georgia.

Wilson, Ingersoll and Lamberson will be honored at APCE’s annual gathering at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, Tennessee, from Jan. 29–Feb. 1, 2025. Registration is now open.