North County Churches Uniting for Racial Harmony and Justice recently held its Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Oratory Essay Contest at John Knox Presbyterian Church.
Winners include Jennifer Andrade, principal of Walnut Grove Elementary School, Ferguson-Florissant School District, grades 9-12; Reece Ellis, Hazelwood East High School, Hazelwood School District, grades 6-8; Morgan McKenzie, Hazelwood North Middle School, Hazelwood School District, and grades 1-5; Jermel Grissomm, Fairview Elementary School, Jennings School District.
“We truly have some outstanding winners this year, and they include four students and one adult,” said Rance Thomas, president of North County Churches Uniting for Racial Harmony and Justice (NCCU).
In addition to each winner receiving $100 prize money, each presented their winning essays at the Dr. King Celebration at St. Louis Community College – Florissant Valley in the Terry Fisher Theatre on January 15.
The keynote speaker at the celebration was one of NCCU’s Pastors, Rev. Cedric Portis of Third Presbyterian Church, and Third Presbyterian’s choir provided the music for this year’s celebration.
Cruel and counterproductive Muslim ban
“President Trump’s revised Muslim travel ban is cruel, ineffective, and counterproductive to our national security. It will do nothing to keep America safe but it will empower the extremists who wish to do us harm,” U.S. Rep. Wm Lacy Clay (D-St. Louis) wrote in a letter to The American.
“We must continue to welcome and defend refugees and immigrants without discriminating against them on the basis of their religion or country of origin. And we will demand equal protection under the law for all, as required by the U.S. Constitution.
“Since the 9-11 attacks, there has not been a single case where a refugee admitted to the United States committed a terrorist attack. And this revised Muslim travel ban does not even cover the nations that produced the 9-11 terrorists. Those are the facts, and the refugee vetting process, which takes almost two years, is already very strict. It works.
“People of faith across this country are united in opposing this terrible, totally un-American action that violates our core values, contributes nothing to our national security, and emboldens extremism.”
Give it to God Women’s Conference
Give it to God Ministries, Inc. is hosting its 3rd Annual Iron Sharpens Iron Women’s Conference on April 1 from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at The Heart of St. Charles Banquet Center, 1410 S 5th Street St. Charles, MO 63301. The title of this year’s conference is “Defined,” based on Ephesians 1:4: “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.”
The speakers include Jeanne Vogt, minister at Give it to God Ministries, and Apostle Octavia Standley, minister at Remnant Ministries KC. Returning to the stage again this year will be Andy Raines “The Passion Painter,” who will paint a portrait during worship service that can be won by a drawing of all the names of guests who pre-register for the conference. Joy Nance Johnson and her crew will worship both morning and afternoon with an anointing.
Through the bold teaching and biblical insight of these two speakers, the women will be taught how to find their true definition in God, not by the world, their past or their circumstances.
To register, visit www.GIVEITTOGODSTL.COM.
Pastoral Anniversary at Greater Fellowship Baptist
Rev. Robert Franklin Jr. and First Lady Anna E. Carter-Franklin celebrated their Pastoral Anniversary at Greater Fellowship Baptist Church, 5941 Lillian Ave. in St. Louis, on March 26. The hosts were Anna E. Carter-Franklin, Dixie Franklin, Angela Davis and Larry Davis.