by Rev. Paige Besse-Rankin
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| Moderator Jay Krusell and Conference Minister Davida Foy Crabtree present the Living Waters Award to Bruce Barrett as his pastor Paige Besse-Rankin applauds |
Bruce Barrett, co-president of Barrett Outdoor Communications and active member of Woodmont United Church of Christ in Milford, received the Living Waters Award at the Connecticut Conference Annual Meeting on Saturday, May 13 in Middletown. The Award was presented to Mr. Barrett by the Rev. Dr. Davida Foy Crabtree, Connecticut Conference Minister. He received a standing ovation from the 500 church delegates present.
Bruce Barrett was nominated by Barbara Mackintosh for his public service work, his generosity, and the work he does mentoring youth. Recently, Barrett Outdoor Communications has donated billboard space and designed Billboards for the "StillSpeaking Initiative of the United Church of Christ." The Billboard -- put up at various locations on Rt 95, proclaimed "God does not exclude." In the fall, Barrett Outdoor also designed and put up a billboard in downtown Milford with words "Let's Celebrate Diversity," and provided accompanying stickers and a webpage for the Milford Anti-Hate Task Force.
Barrett has also actively mentored youth and has made significant contributions to such organizations as the Bethel Center, Milford's Homeless Shelter and Soup Kitchen.
In his acceptance speech, Mr Barrett commented: "One of my heroes, the Great Civil Rights leader John Lewis, wrote in his autobiography Walking With the Wind that while defending the hungry, the friendless, and the needy may from the outside appear to be a difficult decision, in his experience, doing God's will is in fact, the easier life choice in the end. In his words, walking with Christ is like Walking with the Wind. And this is coming from a black student freedom rider who was beaten with a baseball bat as payment for his good works… When the major television networks refused to play the UCC still speaking ads, the Lord said, Bruce, you own a billboard company, you play the Ad. And I called Ron Buford, and we designed the ad, we paid for the ad, and we ran the ad. And running that Ad was a lot easier than closing my heart. And so I am glad we are open and affirming, and will open my heart to spread God's wonderful invitation to all people around the globe.
"When a hate group paraded symbols of intolerance on the Milford Green, I asked my Minister and I saw with her that I could send a message of hope and love to the people of Milford. And walking with that sacred wind, we donated a downtown billboard to the cause, we worked with the anti-hate task force, we designed a web site, we designed, paid for, and printed bumper stickers, we called the politicians, we contacted the media, and it was a lot easier than closing my heart."
The Rev. Paige Besse-Rankin, pastor of the Woodmont United Church of Christ where Mr. Barrett is a member, said "We are thrilled and pleased that Bruce has been honored in this way for his work in our community. Too often we forget to celebrate all the people who are living out their faith beyond the walls of churches and church organizations. Bruce's generosity of heart inspires many of us."
The Living Waters award is given to laity who live their faith in their daily lives, primarily in their place of work. Persons who receive the award may speak up for justice at their workplace. They might treat other persons with uncommon respect. They may take unpopular positions if they feel it is the right thing to do. They seek to serve God in all that they do. The Living Waters Award is so named to reflect the understanding that in baptism all persons become part of the Body of Christ and are therefore called to carry out Christ's ministry, no matter what their age or occupation.
