Rev. Shelly Davis to be presented with Manning Award tonight

East Milton Neighborhood Association RecognizesRev. Shelly Davis for her Dedication and Commitment to Community Service with its Most Prestigious Volunteer Award

Rev. Shelly Davis has been selected by the East Milton Neighborhood Association to receive the 2019 M. Joseph Manning Award for Community Service — the Association’s prestigious volunteer award for community service.

The East Milton Neighborhood Association selected Rev. Davis for her remarkable service which has greatly benefited all of Milton, supported the Association’s mission, and inspired other volunteers. She is an active member of the Milton Interfaith Clergy Association; initiated collaborations with the Milton Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition and the Milton Art Center; is an assistant coach in the Spring League of the Milton Girls Softball; organized a rally and response as a result of a mass shooting to the L’Simcha Congregation in Pittsburgh; and participated in the Pierce Middle School Peach March.

Rev. Davis was chosen for her ability to improve the community and for her inspiration to others to volunteer. Milton is fortunate to have so many people who have contributed to making Milton a great community in which to live and raise families.

The award will be formally presented to Rev. Davis at a ceremony on Tuesday, November 12, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. at The Plate in East Milton Square.

The East Milton Neighborhood Association welcomes the Milton community as we celebrate the efforts of M. Joseph Manning and Rev. Davis.

About East Milton Neighborhood Association

EMNA seeks to foster pride in the neighborhood; to work for improvements in the quality of life in the neighborhood; to improve the land, property, sidewalks and streets; to alert public officials to the needs of the neighborhood and to secure adequate services; to educate neighbors on issues affecting the neighborhood; and to provide a forum for discussion on topics of interest to the neighborhood.

We encourage all to join the Association, participate in the discussion for any changes to our community and contribute to solutions that are in the best interest of all.

About the M. Joseph Manning Community Service Award

Each year, the East Milton Neighborhood Association (EMNA) honors the legacy of the Honorable M. Joseph Manning with the M. Joseph Manning Community Service Award.

The annual M. Joseph Manning Community Service Award is the EMNA’s most prestigious community award. It recognizes Milton residents who share their talent and skills to enrich our community. Only one Milton resident per year (or couples/partners performing services together) can receive the Award.

Legacy of Service

The Honorable M. Joseph Manning dedicated much of his life to public service and enhancing the lives of Milton residents. For 30 years, from 1966 to 1996, Mr. Manning served as a State Representative from for the 7th Norfolk District in Milton and Randolph. He was a member of the Massachusetts Legislators Association; Massachusetts Assessors Association; Milton Town Meeting Member; former member of the Milton Board of Assessors; Milton Park Commission; Milton Yacht Club; American Legion Post #114; Randolph Elks; Milton Kiwanis; DAV and Amvets in Randolph; and was a Marine Corp Veteran of World War II.

About the 2019 M. Joseph Manning Award Recipient

Shelly arrived at East Church in August 2014. Born, raised and seminary trained in the United Methodist Church, she intentionally sought out the United Church of Christ because of the way it understands and lives out the extravagant welcome and life-changing grace of the gospel of Jesus the Christ.

A native Iowan, Shelly’s formal education includes a B.A. in Sociology and Religion from Central College in Pella, IA, a Master of Divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL and post-masters work at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities and Union Theological Seminary in New York City. Her love for the church in its many varied expressions has led her to serve in urban community centers, on college and university campuses, as a hospital chaplain, on church camp staffs and as a local church pastor.

Her similarly deep passion for reading and books (her childhood home was right next door to the town library) also fueled a twenty-year career in book selling and book publishing sales that ranged from the independent feminist bookstore Women & Children First in Chicago to Barnes & Noble, and Simon & Schuster to Jessica Kingsley Publishers, a London-based independent press specializing in accessible books that make a difference, especially for individuals, families and caregivers of those on the autism spectrum.

Shelly loves to preach, sing, play basketball, read, hike, engage in interfaith conversations and service to the community, write, eat dark chocolate and really good ice cream, and play in the snow.

She and her life partner Beth are thrilled to be in Milton and a part of East Church as they move into the second quarter century of their life together.