WS Chronicle

The Emmanuel Baptist Church annual Women’s Day Celebration began on March 6  with the theme “Pivoting in Times of Uncertainty.” During the 10 a.m. virtual worship service, a special tribute was made to Emmanuel women entrepreneurs.

Throughout the month of March, women of Emmanuel will be recognized for their contributions in the areas of education, civic engagement/political empowerment, and the essential worker.

The celebration continues on March 19 and 20 with a virtual interactive program. Mrs. Veronica Miller, Emmanuel Baptist Church First Lady, will welcome participants on the Zoom platform. Mrs. Miller joins Emmanuel, having recently served as the First Lady at Metropolitan Tabernacle Baptist Church, where her husband Rev. Dr. Herbert Miller pastored in Flint, Michigan.

Mrs. Miller graduated cum laude from Shaw University with a degree in business management and earned a master’s degree in Christian education from the Apex School of Theology.  She and Dr. Miller published the only African American newspaper in Lexington called “The Voice of African Americans in the Piedmont and Vicinity.

Following Mrs. Miller, members and guests will explore their artistic talent with a paint party led by the renowned artist, Juandalynn Jones-Hunt, M.A., and enjoy a vigorous and fun workout with the licensed Zumba instructor Dwayne Mosley, with fun, fellowship and prizes.

Rev. Dr. LaTonya McIver Penny is the Women’s Day virtual worship service guest preacher on Sunday, March 20. Dr. Penny is a native of Leasburg, North Carolina. She earned a bachelor of arts degree from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. She also earned her master of arts degree from East Carolina University, master of divinity degree from Wake Forest University, and doctorate in ministry from Campbell University. Dr. Penny previously served as pastor of New Mount Zion Baptist Church in Roxboro, North Carolina. She and her husband, Charles Penny II, launched Belonging Fellowship, a virtual ministry committed to creating safe spaces of worship for all and a space where all can belong. Dr. Penny founded her nonprofit, Mary’s Grace Incorporated, which creates programs and ministries of inclusion for persons with disabilities and their families. She travels the country equipping churches, communities, and schools with skills to include those with disabilities.

Joneice Pledger, chairperson, encourages members and guests to register in advance for the Zoom Women’s Day Celebration on March 19 at 10 a.m. by logging on to the Emmanuel Baptist Church website (emmanuelbaptistws.com) and completing the Google registration form.