SRCWU holds meeting

The Fellowship Hall of New Hope AME Zion Church was the site of the 2013 annual assembly of the Salisbury-Rowan Unit of Church Women United in NC, with a theme of “I Stand at the Door and Knock for Love and Peace.” There were more than 60 present representing 27 churches and nine denominations.
President Brenda Venning, Shirley Holness, SRCWU representative at New Hope and the Rev. Kirk Reid, host pastor, welcomed the group, aided by Jean Kennedy, SRCWU chaplain Gwendolyn Ellis and Maggie Reid.
Dorothy Gill-Smith introduced the speaker, the Rev. Dr. Ethel Bamberg-Revis, associate minister at Soldiers Memorial AME Zion Church serving under special appointment as a chaplain at the W.G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center.
Betty Jo Hardy, a past president, presented the Valiant Woman award to Manie Caroline Gibson Richardson. Richardson has served SRCWU in many capacities over the years and currently serves as ecumenical action chair. She is equally active in the community, giving service and leadership to Salisbury-Rowan AARP, Rufty-Holmes Senior Center, the United Way, Meals on Wheels, Rowan Helping Ministries, the Battered Women’s Shelter and many others.
Sarah Byerly, past CWU in NC president and current Area II chair of CWU in NC and SRCWU ecumenical development assistant, installed new officers and affirmed others who were continuing in their positions. President Venning passed the gavel to in-coming president, Lynn Bolick.
Music at the meeting was provided by Maggie Reid, Rebecca Stinson and Phyllis Partee.
SRCWU’s next 2013 event is a prayer breakfast in March. The national movement’s celebrations of May Friendship Day, Human Rights and World Community Day will also take place in 2013.

Salisbury Woman’s Club

At the February meeting of the Salisbury Woman’s Club, Steve Simpson spoke on the many services offered by Rufty Holmes Senior Center.
He noted that this is the 25th year for the Center and encouraged Club members to join and use the services for those 55 and older.
Ann Bingham used a true story of love as the theme of the devotional presentation.
Angelia Bates, president, at the business session noted that the Club was formed in 1923, making this the 90th year of service to Salisbury and Rowan County.
Club members brought items for the Prevent Child Abuse Rowan as the project for the month.
Hostesses were Angelia Bates, Ann Bingham and Carolyn Myers. The luncheon was catered by Trinity Oaks.