Johanna Sutter of Goshen is the recipient of this year’s national Journey Award from Everence®.
Created in 2001, the Journey Award highlights what people of faith are doing as stewards of their God-given gifts. This award recognizes Sutter for her dedication to volunteering at Mennonite Central Committee’s Material Resource Center in Goshen, where she has logged countless hours since retiring from her teaching career about 15 years ago.
“It’s hard to say in exact hours, but MCC Great Lakes would likely have to hire a half-time person to cover all she does as a volunteer,” said Nadine Zook Miller, material resources coordinator for MCC Great Lakes.
Sutter received a Christmas bundle of supplies from MCC as a child in Germany in the aftermath of World War II. Touched that people from so far away cared about her well-being, she decided she wanted to be like the people who provide hope and comfort to those in need.
As a part of the award, Everence made a $5,000 donation to MCC, the charity of Sutter’s choice. Everence presented Sutter with the award at her home congregation, Assembly Mennonite Church, on Sunday, Sept. 18.
Everence also announced the regional Journey Award honorees, who can make $500 donations to the charities of their choice. They are:
- Dale and Lucile Hochstetler of Hesston, Kansas
- James and Margaret Leonard of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
- Ethel Comardelle and Francis Cortez of Des Allemands, Louisiana
- Ken Quenzer of Fresno, California
- Kevin King of Lititz, Pennsylvania
- Bruce Hummel of Millersburg, Ohio
- Henry Bergey of Souderton, Pennsylvania
About Everence: Everence helps individuals, organizations and congregations integrate finances with faith through a national team of advisors and representatives. Everence offers banking, insurance and financial services with community benefits and stewardship education. Everence is a ministry of Mennonite Church USA and other churches. To learn more, visit www.everence.com or call (800) 348-7468.