Introducing The Rev. Merry Helen Hedges,
Arkansas ECW's Distinguished Woman
Arkansas Episcopal Church Women are honored to announce The Rev. Merry Helen Hedges as Arkansas’ Distinguished Woman at the Triennial Meeting this summer.
The Rev. Merry Helen Hedges is a woman of firsts.
She was the first deacon ordained in the Diocese of Arkansas. When she became aware of her call to the take the Church into the world, it was at a time when neither Bishop Donovan nor the Commission on Ministry saw the need for deacons. To test her call, Bishop Donavan had her attend Memphis Theological Seminary, General Seminary, and the Seminary of the Southwest. Merry Helen went before the Bishop and the Commission on Ministry several times before being approved for ordination. She was ordained in 1992. Mary Donavan was her professor at General.
Before retiring, she served St. Michael’s, Trinity Cathedral, and Christ Church. Merry Helen retired from Christ Church. That is, until the Rev. Teri Daily called Merry Helen out of retirement to serve at St. Peter’s in Conway. While serving at St. Peter’s, she started the Servant Leadership School in Arkansas.
Merry Helen studied at the Jungian Institute in Zurich.
Having received Spiritual director training at St. Benedict Abby in Pecos, New Mexico, she was spiritual director to many.
Merry Helen’s clinical pastoral education training was through the University of Arkansas Medical School and Arkansas Childrens Hospital. She was the first chaplain at Presbyterian Village, a continuing care community in Little Rock.
She served on the first Cursillo team in Arkansas, then many others. She brought Search and Happening for Youth to the Diocese.
Merry Helen is a former Diocesan ECW President.
She is a founding member of St. Michael’s in Little Rock and served as its first Senior Warden.
Merry Helen was a mentor for Education for Ministry.
When the National church started Jubilee Ministries, Merry Helen was appointed as the Diocesan Jubilee Officer.
A former chair of the Camp Mitchell Board, Merry Helen was active in improving and promoting the camp. She found the log cabins to replace the original Quonset huts. She began Keller Camp, a weeklong camp for adults.
She was at the Knesset when the Oslo Accord between Israel and the Palestinian Liberation Army were debated.
Merry Helen and her husband Harold of sixty-eight years have three sons, seven grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren.
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