Distinguished Service to the Church
A lifelong Presbyterian whose service to her church and community began long before her Wesleyan days, Mary Margaret Woodward McNeill will tell you that serving in a church is not about being personally honored, but about honoring God through service in God’s name. Her family and friends will tell you that not a day goes by without Mary Margaret serving her God and church with much of it accomplished quietly and effectively behind the scenes. All that she does, she does with a smile, a kind word, and a very big and generous heart.
Wesleyan classmates, too, describe Mary Margaret as diligent, kind-hearted, calm, and extremely loyal. Known for refusing to accept anything short of perfection, she “captivates her listeners with her literary work, her love for music, and her delicacy in handling people.” Mary Margaret gives of her heart and talents to individuals, Wesleyan, and her church.
In 1968, Mary Margaret and her husband, Larry, moved to Southern Pines, North Carolina, where they joined Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church. Since that time, she has served as Clerk of Session, chairperson of the church nominating committee, Presbyterian Women moderator, Sunday School teacher, Bible School teacher, Circle Bible Study leader, Wednesday prayer group member, prayer shawl knitter, Family Promise volunteer, representative at Coastal Carolina Presbytery meetings, member of the Presbytery’s committee on nominations and volunteer development, and commissioner to the 1998 Presbyterian Church USA General Assembly. In addition, she is a member of the vocal and handbell choirs, substitute organist, Sunday School pianist, and a member of the Bellaires Handbell Quartet, a group of four musicians in her church who have played for many years at nursing homes, clubs, and churches, and for whom she has composed and arranged quartet music.
Although Mary Margaret has been honored with a life membership from the Presbyterian Women, she says her greatest honor has been the opportunity to serve God in an active, caring church in which she and her husband have reared their three children and in which she has seen membership growth and increased dedication to God through worship, Bible study, fellowship, and service in the community and beyond. Mary Margaret’s compassion and service to others expands beyond the walls of her church. She’s also active in Habitat for Humanity, Friends of the Southern Pines Library, Sandhills Community College, Moore County chapter of the North Carolina Symphony, Sandhills Council of Garden Clubs, Public Education Foundation of Moore County, Clan Munro USA, and, of course, her alma mater.
Last year, on top of these many other services, Mary Margaret became a Stephen Minister, after completing 50 hours of training, so that she can extend care to those going through a difficult time. Whether taking an invalid to a doctor’s appointment or bringing a hot meal to someone just home from the hospital, she does it with love and deep commitment. Her life overflows with a sense of gratitude, love, and joy, and it is contagious! She indeed is a friend to all, an exceedingly capable leader, and someone who lives her life day by day as an integral part of her church and community in word and deed.
For her lifelong commitment to her fellow man, her beloved church, and her Wesleyan and home communities, the Wesleyan Alumnae Association is pleased to honor Mary Margaret Woodward McNeill with the Alumnae Award for Distinguished Service to the Church. |
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