Community Leaders Jones, Belcher Receive Service Award
The Chapel has awarded its 2019 Humanitarian Service Award to the Rev. Allen Jones of Change Path Ministries and Minister Sylvia Belcher of St. John Missionary Baptist Church.
The annual award recognizes a person or people whose lives demonstrate a commitment to service and simplicity. It comes with a $1,500 donation made to an organization designated by each recipient.
This year’s award will be presented to Jones and Belcher at a reception, free and open to the public, at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, October 27, in the Divinity School’s Alumni Memorial Commons Room. Light refreshments will be served.
In his work with Change Path Ministry, Jones, alongside co-pastor Rev. Dorothy Clark, provides food security, a welcoming space, pastoral care and worship to the residents of his Guthrie St. neighborhood. Jones can often be found talking and praying with someone, planning an event to end gun violence, or feeding and clothing anyone who comes to his front porch.
Belcher is the chair of outreach for Walltown Neighborhood Ministries, which comprises seven churches. As part of the ministry, Belcher coordinates a food bank through which the churches provide food and supplies to people in need. She also organizes leadership activities for youth and works to bridge racial divides in Durham’s Walltown neighborhood.