All posts by Penny Oliver

Moral March on Raleigh

North Carolina continues to face a crises of leadership–and we need your support to push our moral and constitutional agenda for the greater benefit of all people.

 

This Saturday, February 14th, is the 9th Annual Mass Moral March on Raleigh and Historic Thousands on Jones Street (HKonJ) People’s Assembly Coalition. And we’d like you to join us.

Learn more about the march here.

The North Carolina NAACP, together with more than 170 coalition partners from the Forward Together Moral Movement, will convene across the street from the Raleigh Memorial Auditorium at 2 East South Street at 9 a.m, Saturday, February 14.  The march will begin at 10 am.

Take a stand with us– RSVP here for Saturday’s march, it is imperative that we show North Carolina lawmakers that we’re not going anywhere.  Invite the community to join the NAACP, HKonJ and the largest most diverse group of organizers in the country.hey took a stand then, surely we must stand now.

Forward Together,

Rev. William Barber

North Carolina State Conference President

Finding His Peace

Seek His Face, and you will find not only His Presence but also His Peace. To receive His Peace, you must change your grasping, controlling stance to one of openness and trust. The only thing you can grasp without damaging your soul is His hand. Ask His Spirit within you to order your day and control your thoughts, for the mind controlled by the Spirit is Life and Peace.

You can have as much of Him and His Peace as you want, through thousands of correct choices each day. The most persistent choice you face is whether to trust Him or to worry. You will never run out of things to worry about, but you can choose to trust Him no matter what. He is an ever present help in trouble. Trust Him, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.

The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is live and peace. – Romans 8:6

God is our refuse and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. – Psalm 46:1-2

Top 10 Black History Month Scholarships For February 2015

Nationwide — February is here again, and Black History month is being celebrated all around the country and even in some parts of the world. Although the shortest month of the year, February has been chosen as the official month of the year to pay tribute to famous African Americans who contributed to society.

But actions speak louder than words, and so many organizations and companies have launched various scholarship funds for African American and other minority students. Collectively, the scholarships give away millions in much needed college funding.
Here are the top 10 Black History month scholarships for this year:
#1 – Steve Harvey Foundation/ Coca-Cola Pay It Forward Scholarship Program: Offers scholarship awards and once-in-a-lifetime apprenticeship experiences to African American youth looking to pave the way for their futures. Deadline is in March 2015.
#2 – “Selma” Speech and Essay Scholarship Contest: Inspired by the recent film released by Paramount Pictures, this scholarship is open to U.S. high school students ages 14-18 who are currently enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States and its territories. Deadline is in February 2015.
#3 – 100 Black Men of America Future Leader Scholarship Program:Open to high school seniors as well as college freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors. The scholarship is based on academic achievement and community service. Deadline is in February 2015.
#4 – Regions Riding Forward Black History Month Scholarship:Funded by Regions Bank (located in 16 states), this program awards scholarships each year to high school students and college students. Interested students may apply by writing an essay about African-Americans who have inspired them. Deadline is in February 2015.
#5 – Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship: For minority high school students in the United States. In addition to a financial grant, the foundation also provides its scholars with mentoring and leadership development opportunities, and internships. Deadline is in February 2015.
#6 – GEICO Achievement Award Program: Helps current college students who are sophomores and juniors earn scholarship money to complete their education. Eligible students must be enrolled in a business, computer science, or mathematics program. Deadline is in February 2015.
#7 – Buick Achiever’s Scholarship Program: Designed to give the financial assistance to student leaders, who can not afford to attend college. Funded by the GM Foundation, the program annually gives away 100 renewable scholarship awards and 1,000 non-renewable scholarship awards. Deadline is in February 2015.
#8 – National Association of Black Journalists Scholarships: Offered to students interested in a career in journalism. The scholarships are for high school students and undergraduate college students who are planning to enroll or currently enrolled in college full-time and majoring in journalism.Deadline is in February 2015.
#9 – United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Scholarships: Provides extraordinary amounts of scholarship opportunities for minority students with financial need. Scholarships include educational assistance for students attending participating Historically Black Colleges or Universities (HBCU) and other colleges as well. Deadline is in February 2015.
#10 – Kroger “I Can Make History” Contest: Open to elementary, middle school, and high school students, grades 4th through 12th, this contest will award more than $71,000 in prizes in the categories of art, essay, music and poetry. Deadline is in February 2015.
BONUS – HBCU Connect Minority Scholarship: Makes available several $1,000 scholarships for minority applicants who attend or plan to attend a Historically Black College or University. The scholarship can be applied to tuition or books for the semester in which the funds are received. Deadline is in both January and February 2015.

To search and apply for hundreds of other 2015 scholarships, visitwww.ScholarshipsOnline.org.

WNCCLO 2015 Membership Drive

The Western North Carolina Conference Lay Organization 2015 membership drive has begun! Membership dues are $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for youths, 18 years old and under.  Membership dues must be current for voting and delegate privileges.

The WNCCLO election for Biennial delegates is scheduled for March 14, 2015. Membership dues must be received on or before February 17, 2015 for voting and delegate privileges in the Biennial election. Please send your membership dues to the Credential/Membership Chair, Sister Janie Wilson, and 2716 Hopkins St., Raleigh, NC 27603.

Sister Albertine Sanders

It is with great sadness that I inform you of the passing of Sister Albertine Sanders,  Aunt of Sister Betty Duell, Sister Janie Wilson and Brother Wilbert Hooker. Please keep the family in your prayers.

Ms. Albertine H. Sanders, age 90, formerly of 2712 Sadie Hopkins Drive, Raleigh, departed this life on Wednesday, January 28, 2015. Funeral, 11AM, Saturday, February 7, 2015, St. John AME Church, 3001 Tryon Road. The Rev. Allen Warren, Pastor/Officiating. Interment, Carolina Biblical Gardens.

Survivors; daughter, Costella S. Williams of Randolph, MA, 2 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren; sister, Mamie H. Miles of Raleigh; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation, 10:30 AM to 11AM, Saturday, at the Church. All other times, the family will receive friends at 2904 Gladstone Drive.

Annual African American Cultural Festival

If you are planning to attend or bring your youth to the Annual African American Cultural Festival at the North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh this Saturday(1/31), please stop by the Dogwood Room in the SECU Education Center and support St. Paul Raleigh’s Youth Presentation “I Was First, Did You Know That”.  It is our Traveling Black History Wax Museum featuring portrayals of African American Inventors and arts presentations on piano, violin, dance and voice honoring some of the great musicians and entertainers in our culture.

The festival is free and runs from 10:30am to 4:30pm .  It includes presenters from across the state of NC.   With good weather they are anticipating between 8 and 10,000 in attendance.    We will have two presentations at1:30pm and 2:15 pm. In the Dogwood Room.

We would love to see you there.   Flo Avery, Director

Save the Date – Silver Stars

Save this Date: February 8, 2015!

Wayman Chapel AME Church invites you to attend the third annual concert of the nationally known: Silver Stars ! Please join us for an evening of music you will not forget.

Wayman Chapel AME Church @ 592 North Main Street Graham, NC 27253

Reverend A.O. Carmichael, Pastor

Welcome to the new WNC Lay Website

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Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory.

Ephesians 3:20-21

Welcome to the Western North Carolina Lay Organization website.  The information posted is for our edification. Explore and utilize the website. It belongs to you.  This website is one of God-given gifts for us to work together to allow Him to be lifted up and glorified in the mission and purpose of our Lay Organization.

Please contact me with any updates. Thank you for your willingness to serve!

Black Lives Matter

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The leadership in the Connectional AME Church designated Sunday, December 14, 2014 as “Black Life Matters Sunday”. All AME Church members were asked to wear black on December 14th to show solidarity for human kind. Emmanuel AME Church is always willing to support the cause of social justice.

Thank you in advance,

Reverend Anita M. Thompson, Pastor

Shirley L. Smith, Reporter

Wanda Alexander, Photographer