Elaine Barnett
APCE 2006 Educator of the Year

CONNECT, ENRICH, EMPOWER, AND SUSTAIN - This mission of APCE has also been the mission of Elaine.

Elaine CONNECTS with other educators through her life story.

A native of North Carolina, Elaine is a life-long Presbyterian. Covenant Presbyterian in Charlotte is her home church. She credits the excellent preaching, creative educational ministry, and dynamic music ministry of that large congregation with shaping her faith and preparing her way to hear God's call to serve the Church in educational ministry.

Elaine graduated from St. Andrews Presbyterian College, receiving a BA with majors in Bible, Christian education, and English.

Career plans changed a bit in the summer of 1962, when Elaine and Jim decided to get married and shortly after traveled to Germany with the U.S. Army. There Elaine served as the volunteer DCE at the Protestant chapel and taught English with the University of Maryland program.

Back in the States, she volunteered in congregations in Charlotte and Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The family moved to Monroe, North Carolina in 1975. There Elaine served as DCE at First Presbyterian Church.

Elaine ENRICHES others in her service to local churches, presbyteries, and the national Church. She co-authored The Big Book of Presbyterian Stewardship, Experiential Ways to Teach Healthy Congregations, and A Leader's Guide to AVENUES to United Judgments. She has contributed chapters in various PC (US A) publications. She helped move the APCE cabinet into a new relationship with administration that freed the cabinet to be more creative. She was instrumental in helping the cabinet create the mission statement that we can all "say at gunpoint." She encouraged a countless number of educators to pursue certification, often providing a gentle but firm kick in the pants to keep the process moving!

Elaine EMPOWERS other educators through her mentoring and by modeling leadership.

While in Monroe, Elaine became a certified associate Christian educator. She served the presbytery on various committees and as a consultant.

In 1983, Plaza Presbyterian Church in Charlotte called Elaine as their church educator. While at Plaza, Elaine became a certified Christian educator.

Elaine moved to Bradenton, Florida in 1985 and began serving on the staff of the Presbytery of Southwest Florida as an educational consultant. Later, she was elected to the newly created position of Associate executive presbyter for education, later to be changed-along with the presbytery realignment-to associate executive presbyter for Nurture. With responsibilities for many committees and leading workshops, retreats, and training for congregations in Tampa Bay and other presbyteries, Elaine served until October 2003.

She served on the Cabinet of APCE from 1996 to 2002 and as the president of APCE in 2000-2001. Elaine served as chair of the 2005 APCE Annual Event. Elaine now serves on the Christian Educator Certification Council for the PC(USA) and the Church Relations Council of Eckerd College. An ordained elder, Elaine continues to serve as a consultant for church planning and leadership development, as the moderator-elect for Peace River Presbytery, and as a member of COM. She is a session member at First Presbyterian Church, Sarasota, Florida.

Elaine SUSTAINS her family as well as her extended APCE family through her love and commitment.

Elaine and her husband of 43 years, Jim, have two children with wonderful spouses and four grandchildren. Elaine and Jim enjoy traveling, dining out, and watching sunsets on the beach. Elaine's friends number like the grains of sand on that beach-more than can be counted-all feeling a special closeness to one grand lady.