At the 119th Annual Theology Conference at the Queen's School of Religion, the Rev. Elaine Smith received the annual Alumni/ae Achievement Award given by the Theology Alumni/ae Association.  The award was presented at a banquet on October 17.

The following citation, outlining Elaine's many achievements, was read at the banquet:

In recognition of her contribution to ministry and to Queen's Theological College/Queen's School of Religion, the alumni/ae of the Queen's Theology program are pleased to award the Alumnae Achievement Award for 2011 to Reverend Elaine Smith, who graduated with her M.Div. in 1991.

Elaine, as have many of our graduates, answered her call to ministry after a career in other fields.  She started her working life as a teacher and then spent a number of years in the social services sector.  She was ordained by Maritime Conference and was settled in her home province of Prince Edward Island where she served for eight years.  She was then called to Kingston Presbytery where she served for four years until she retired from congregational ministry in 2003.  In her pastoral charges she was known for thoughtful messages and her pastoral care skills.

After she retired from congregational ministry, it did not take long for the Theological College to recognize her skills in appointing her as Director of Field Education at the College in which role she helped shape students' lives in practical ministry settings.  Until 2007, she served as a bereavement counselor for a funeral home in Kingston.  She has also served as Minister of Pastoral Care at Chalmers United Church in Kingston.  In 2010, when Bay of Quinte Conference was seeking a person with excellent pastoral skills to fill a contract position as conference Personnel Minister, Elaine again responded to the call to serve, a role in which she is serving at this time.  In the midst of her service to the church, Elaine has served on the Board of Management of Queen's Theological College from 2008, serving as Chair of the Nominations Committee at the present time.

Elaine brings a wise, thoughtful and caring presence to her work; attributes we celebrate in a graduate of Queen's Theology.  Her congregational ministry and ongoing service reminds us all of the significant contribution those who enter ministry later in their careers make, and continue to make, to congregations and the broader church.

In recognition of her faithful and highly competent service, the Queen's Theology Alumnae are pleased to present the Alumnae Achievement Award to Reverend Elaine Smith.