UWFaith Present 2026 Special Mission Recognitions

On Sunday, Feb. 12, 2026, St. Stephen's United Women in Faith unit presented their annual Special Mission Recognitions. These recognitions honor members of the church family who have gone above and beyond in their devotion to church life and community missions.

If you missed the presentations, you can read more about each of the honorees below in prepared remarks delivered during the service:

Kim Henderson

Our first honoree has been a devoted member of St. Stephen for over 35 years.  She is known for her warm spirit, her love of people and especially four-legged furry friends, and her deep commitment to our church community. 

Here at St. Stephen, she is an active member of the Journey Class, Sacred Connections, United Women of Faith, the Women’s Book Club, Pub Theology, the Emmaus Community, and the Treasure Sale team.  She also participates in many bible studies and women’s retreats.

Over the years, she has faithfully served and chaired many key committees including:

Beyond St Stephen, she spent 15 years planning programs and events for seniors and veterans through the Better Business Bureau, following a 20-year career in the travel industry.  

Born in Birmingham and raised in North Carolina, she is a UNC Greensboro graduate, has been married to her soul-mate Tom for 44 years, and is a devoted “dog Mom”, currently to Charlie, her chocolate Cocker Spaniel.  

She has walked alongside Tom on many church photography assignments, so has attended countless confirmation, graduation, youth banquets and weddings at St. Stephen. 

With grace and strength, she has cared for parents with dementia and Alzheimer’s.  

Even through her own cancer journey, she has become a light to everyone she encounters – patients, families and medical staff alike.  

She truly embodies the hands, feet, and heart of Christ.  

Our honoree is Kim Henderson.

Wayne Smith

Our second honoree is a long-time member of St. Stephen who, like all SMR honorees, has devoted countless hours to serving our church, community, and abroad.

Within St. Stephen, he has served on the Staff Parish, Missions, and Finance   Committees; held leadership roles in multiple Capital Campaigns; and chaired the   Facilities Committee. He has also served as a Youth Leader, Confirmand mentor, Lay Leader, Usher, Stephen Minister, and is active with the Creation Care Team, United Methodist Men, Stretcher Bearers Group, and the JOY class.

Beyond our church walls, he has been a group leader on numerous ASP trips and has participated in hurricane disaster relief efforts in Mississippi and Florida, most recently coordinating a trip to Western North Carolina. Internationally, he has traveled to Guatemala to help build clean, efficient stoves in homes and assist in constructing a community church.

In our local community, he volunteers with and serves on the board of Habitat for Humanity, and also gives his time to Carolina Cross Connection, Loaves and Fishes, Heart Math, and Carolina Refugee Resettlement.

Though soft-spoken by nature, he has served “loudly” through his love for Christ and others. His daughter Anna shares: “When it comes to service, no one inspires me more than my dad. He’s always quietly involved in a new project, treating service as second nature. On our walks, we talk about engaging young people and families, and his thoughtfulness always stands out. When I once asked what motivates him, he simply said, 'It’s what you do to be a good person, to live a good life.' I love that his idea of 'the good life' is rooted in service, not possessions. His example reminds me what truly matters and is the lesson I most want to pass on to my boys."

He is husband to Beverly, a devoted father & stepfather, and affectionately known by his ten grandchildren as “Spop.”

Our honoree is Wayne Smith.