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Founding Board

Founding Board*

"The Spiritualist Church of Awareness was chartered in May of 1975. Founding members included: Thomas Berkner, Elizabeth Edgar, Amelia and Nicholas Sourant, James and Elizabeth McConnell, Dorothy Riser, Virginia and Willie Starling, Sara Lee Person, Cheryl Ann Kohler, Diane Davis, Sandy and Edward O. Budd, and Estelle Henry.

For a short time the church services were held in the homes of the members. Within a few months a store front in Winter Park was rented. Wooden bookshelves were made, and a system to record sermons was installed. The Rev. Pamela K. Ward, N.S.T. and the Rev. Elizabeth R. Edgar were ordained in the church when services were still being held in the store front. Mae Graves Ward and the Rev. D. Mona Berry were among those who helped the church by conducting services during that time.

The church's Rev. Elizabeth R. Edgar Library exists due to the generous gift of books from her personal collection. At the 1991 N.S.A.C. Convention, Rev. Elizabeth R. Edgar was granted the title of Secretary, Emeritus of the N.S.A.C. She was a Certified Medium and Commissioned Healer. Rev. Edgar made her transition to spirit on May 15, 1992.

The Rev. Pamela K Ward, N.S.T., was a Certified Medium, Commissioned Healer and National Spiritualist Teacher. She made Appearances on television and radio, lectured in local colleges, and was interviewed by local newspaper, all of which helped further the acceptance and interest in the church and in Spiritualism. She participated in seminars at the N.S.A.C. convention in Connecticut, and served the platform in Lily Dale, New York. Rev. Ward took the first Pastoral Skills Course offered by the Morris Pratt Institute, and she also served as Secretary of the N.S.A.C. Ministerial Club. She taught classes and served on the Board of Directors of the church. The Rev. Pamela K. Ward, N.S.T. remained Pastor of the Spiritualist Church of Awareness until she made her transition to the higher side of live on January 24, 1989 at the age of 44 years.

On December 5, 1992, the Rev. Ann Otzelberger, N.S.T. was ordained. She is a Certified Medium, commissioned Healer, and National Spiritualist Teacher. Rev. Otzelberger serves as a board member on several of the N.S.A.C. Committees, and has been appointed President of the N.S.A.C. Missionaries Society. She has represented the religion of Spiritualism at Rollins College and the Florida Hospital Nurses Training School and has served as a Co-Pastor at the Spiritualist Church of Awareness. Rev. Otzelberger has conducted seminars at the N.S.A.C. Conventions in St. Louis and Chicago and has served the platform in Lily Dale, New York. Rev. Otzelberger also is a member of the N.S.A.C. new Educational Course Committee, and has written courses to be taught in the new N.S.A.C. Educational Program. She currently serves on the N.S.A.C. Board of Directors.

The Rev. Jean Kerr Lerch, N.S.T. was ordained on June 26, 1993. She serves as Pastor of the Spiritualist Church of Awareness and is a Certified Medium, Commissioned Healer, and National Spiritualist Teacher. Rev. Lerch serves as Secretary of the National Spiritualist Teachers Club, The N.S.A.C. Missionaries Society, and the Bureau of Phenomenal Evidence Committee. She has represented the religion of Spiritualism at Rollins College. She participated in the healing seminar at the N.S.A.C. Centennial Convention in Chicago. Rev. Lerch has written a pamphlet for Potential New Members that is distributed by the N.S.A.C. office, and was presented with the N.S.A.C. Summit Centennial Cover Design Award. She teaches classes in the church and has served as President on the church Board of Directors."

Written by Rev. Jean Kerr Lerch for the The Centennial Book 1893-1993. Copyright 1994 by The National Spiritualist Association of Churches of the United States of America, Lily Dale, New York. Printed in the U.S.A. Compiled and edited by the Rev. Barbara Thurman. Modified with corrections May 26, 2009.

* Dottie Riser- Secretary, Jim McConnell - Trustee, Virginia Starling - Treasurer, Nick Sourant - President, Betty Edgar - Trustee, Jim Henry - Trustee and Tom Berkner - Vice President

Chronology

1975	Spiritualist Church of Awareness chartered by NSAC with 15 founding members (May).
1975	Storefront rented for services in Winter Park.
1984	Bought and moved into current church.
1989	Rev. Pamela K. Ward transitioned (January 24).
1991	Hosted 99th NSAC Annual Convention (October)
1992	Rev. Elizabeth R. Edgar transitioned (May 15).
1992	Rev. E. Ann Otzelberger ordained (December 5).
1993	Rev. Jean Kerr Lerch ordained (June 26).
to 2009	Rev. E. Ann Otzelberger and Rev. Jean Kerr Lerch Co-Pastors
	Church Paid in full.
	Church Fashion Show
	New Roof installed after Hurricane.
2000	Rev. Elaine S. Hager ordained (November 19).
2005	New lighted exterior sign installed in honor of Betty McConell (May 15).
2003	Rev. Sharon A. Watson ordained (November 23).
2007	Church Sanctuary upgraded (new design, paint and carpet).
2007	1st Pastoral Appreciation Day (May)
2007	Rev. Tammi Jo Anderson ordained at Maine NSAC convention (October).
2007	Rev. Leslie Chaillou ordained in the mountains (November 25).
2008	Church exterior upgraded (new fence and church paint), Gazebo purchased and Meditation Garden installed.
2008	2nd Pastoral Appreciation Day (June 8)
2008	1st Spirit Fun Fest (September 20)
2009	2nd Spirit Fun Fest (April 25)
2009	3rd Pastoral Appreciation Day (May 17)
2009	Rev. Jean Kerr Lerch, Pastor (May 17)
2009	Booth at Orlando Veg Fest (October 24)
2010	Rev. Leslie Chaillou, Pastor (May 16)
2010	4th Pastoral Appreciation Day (May 16)

Spiritualist Church of Awareness | (407) 678 3688 | 3210 North Chickasaw Trail | Winter Park | Orlando, Florida
© 2009 Spiritualist Church of Awareness NSAC, Inc. All rights reserved.