Memorial Medallions
The Seventh-day Adventist Church recognizes the sacrifices and dedication of its employees and seeks to demonstrate its appreciation in a variety of ways. One way the church expresses appreciation after the death of a pastor or educator is with a Seventh-day Adventist Clergy or Educator Memorial Medallion.
The Seventh-day Adventist Clergy and Educator Memorial Medallions honor the sacrificial service of the men and women who dedicated their lives of full-time gospel or educational ministry in the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Presentation of Memorial Medallions
The medallion should be presented in gratitude for the faithful worker’s service.
The presentation should be made publicly at the funeral, memorial service or graveside committal.
The family may wish to keep the medallion in their home, or have the medallion affixed to the cemetery grave marker. The funeral home director may be able to assist the family in finding the right person to ensure the medallion is placed securely on the tombstone.
Suggested Ceremony
Ask all denominational employees to stand/raise their hands.
“The Seventh-day Adventist Church family is here to support you. On behalf of the ________________(example: Wisconsin Conference of Seventh-day Adventists), please accept this Seventh-day Adventist Clergy/Educator Memorial Medallion as our expression of gratitude for the faithful service of ______________________ (name) in ministry to our churches/schools. May the Lord comfort you and your family. Together we reaffirm our hope in the soon coming of Jesus and pray that God will keep us all faithful ‘til He comes.”
Qualifications
Individuals can purchase Memorial Medallions from Advent Source independent from the Lake Union qualifications. To qualify for a Memorial Medallion from the Lake Union Conference, the deceased must have:
1. Been a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in good and regular standing
2. Served in Seventh-day Adventist Education/Ministerial Work
3. Served within the LUC footprint
When someone from Seventh-day Adventist Education or Ministerial work has died who meets the three qualifications listed above:
• The family of a current employee within the LUC footprint may receive a medallion from the Lake Union Conference without charge.
• Family, conferences, churches or schools may request a medallion for someone who has retired (or for another reason is not currently working). There will be a $35 fee charged to the requesting entity.
• It is the responsibility of the conference, church, school and/or family to request a medallion.
Please contact Vicky Thompson with any questions or to initiate this process (269-473-8221, vicki.thompson@lakeunion.org).
The Memorial Medallion may be presented by a principal, pastor, conference officer, university leader or union representative. Who presents the medallion will depend on calendar availability, leadership position, and knowledge of the deceased worker.
--Lake Union Education Dept.
