The Eden Theological Seminary community and student body presented the Shalom Award to the Missouri Association for Social Welfare (MASW). The award is given to an individual or organization that exhibits courage and leadership in seeking to speak and embody the vision of shalom.
Shalom, the Hebrew word for peace, “is used theologically to describe a state of life in which basic human needs are met and harmonious and just relationships prevail,” according to MASW.
MASW was chosen because of its work promoting peace and justice by addressing issues such as hunger, mental and physical health, affordable shelter, bias-free policing and sentencing, and many others.
Jeanette Mott Oxford, executive director of MASW and a 1989 M. Div. graduate of Eden, accepted the award.