Spirit of Mission: The Georgia Bates Award Luncheon
-
Monday, May 5 • Register by Thursday, May 1 -
11:30am – 1:00pm -
Great Hall
Georgia Bates Award 2025 Honorees
United Methodist Women of Highland Park United Methodist Church is pleased to present Janie Means Gilmore (posthumously) and Amy Means Bales with the 2025 Spirit of Mission: The Georgia Bates Award. Sponsored by HPUMC UMW through the inspiration of Senior Pastor Paul Rasmussen during HPUMC’s 2016 Centennial year, this annual award honors women from our congregation who have made significant and lasting contributions through volunteering with ministries serving people, communities, or specific needs.
Our 2025 recipients have collectively graced our congregation for over 80 years. Mother Janie and daughter Amy have completely immersed themselves in the life and ministries of HPUMC, both teaching all ages and stages, serving others in countless ways, and providing leadership in church outreach areas. Both exemplify a deep love for our church, a generous willingness to serve, and a commitment to leadership, along with a demeanor that blesses everyone. Their generous spirits and commitments to HPUMC are beautiful examples of Christian love and service.
Janie Means Gilmore
Janie came to HPUMC as a toddler and stayed for the rest of her 85 years of life. If there is an age group at HPUMC, Janie faithfully served it by leading, teaching, chaperoning, and guiding it, making an impact on most every ministry at HPUMC until her death in June 2024.
In our community, Janie had a true heart for the Wesley-Rankin Community Center and volunteered for many years as a tutor to the children there. She also volunteered at Austin Street Center and the Genesis Women’s Shelter, supported the Costa Rica Children’s Home, delivered meals with Meals on Wheels, and served on the Methodist Hospital Systems Board of Directors. She was an enthusiastic supporter of our outreach programs.
Janie served on many of the church’s age level committees, the Pastor Parish Relations Committee, the Board of Trustees, and was Chair of the Administrative Board in 1993. Janie’s life was centered on service and loving others; she left a legacy of faith and love to her family, church, and community.
Amy Means Bales
Amy Bales is dedicated to extending the ministries of Highland Park United Methodist Church into the lives of everyone she meets. She has been an integral part of the Justice Ministry and the Civil Rights Pilgrimages since the ministry’s early days, serving as the strategic planner for the trips. Ensuring the pilgrimages consistently align with the church’s mission of making deeply devoted followers of Jesus Christ, Amy also keeps the Justice Ministry’s mission at the forefront: gathering friends of God on a journey to understand and love others. She intentionally follows Christ’s example, fostering connections and sharing life with people in a loving and kind way.
Like Janie, Amy is a stalwart volunteer with Meals on Wheels, VBS, and Sunday School classes, and she has led numerous Bible and book studies focused on living life with your eyes on Jesus through topics of scripture, parenting, marriage, justice, and life. Amy and her husband Jayson are both deeply involved with the Costa Rica Children’s Home through personal gifts and service.
Over the years, Amy has served on many lay committees including several intern committees and the Beyond Capital Campaign Building Committee. With her warm and caring heart, she has been instrumental in pulling together people in her community to grow and learn alongside her.