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St. Paul MBC’s Annual Women’s Day Celebration
By Tricia Hall
Sojourner’s Truth Reporter
The congregation of St Paul Missionary Baptist Church held
their annual Women’s Day weekend fellowship activities on
Saturday, September 15, 2018 and Sunday, September 16, 2018
on the historic grounds of St. Paul’s located on North
Detroit in Toledo.
The theme, “A woman who fears the Lord is to be praised,”
was inspired by Proverbs 31:30. Women of the church wore
white, silver and royal blue over the two-day fellowship
weekend.
Saturday’s activities kicked off with a worship hour,
followed by a salad and dessert smorgasbord. Rev. Marcia
Dinkins served as the mistress of ceremony, and warmly
reminded all members and guests that today is the first day
of the two-day celebration of women. “I thank God for this
woman’s day. We’re here, no matter how your day started,
you’re here. We’re all here to join hand and hand, with
heart to heart.”
J’Vann Winfield officially delivered welcoming words, then
Deaconess Marvine Brown presented a word of prayer, and
Carmen Miller delivered two powerful selections. The service
continued with a scripture reading by Dawn Scotland,
introduction of the speaker by Joyce Wilson, and featured
speaker Rev. Anita Britton-Bass.
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Rev. Anita Dawn Britton-Bass was born in London and moved to
Columbus as a child. She earned a Bachelor of Science from
Franklin University and teaching certificate in 1993. Her
career journey began with teaching kindergarten from 1995 to
2002, teaching prenatal care in 2002, serving as the First
Lady of United Missionary Baptist Church and completing 15
years of service as the business manager of Leona Group in
Toledo.
Her sermon focused on the power of womanhood and the
scripture text provided by the theme. “This scripture is
powerful. We want to praise, but the right kind of praise.
We want to receive praise, but the right kind of praise.
This scripture talks about a different kind of praise, one
that represents God.”
Fellowship immediately followed, as the smorgasbord was held
in the lower level of the church and highlighted an
all-donation menu provided by the Women of the church. The
menu offered variety of salads and desserts: chicken salad,
tuna salad, shrimp pasta salad, spaghetti salad, sweet
potato pie, cherry pie, chocolate cake, and many other menu
items. The reception area was decorated by large and festive
royal blue and silver center-pieces, flowers, and candles.
Over 100 women gathered for this fellowship reception.
“Everyone who helped with the luncheon, I just want to say
thank you. It was a blessing and a success. We were able to
come together as women this weekend. Thank you, St Paul,”
explained Sharon Hubbard, Women’s Day Chairman.
Sunday’s morning service continued with the theme and
selected colors of royal blue and silver. First Lady Linnie
Willis served as the mistress of ceremony and led the call
to worship with the church deaconess. Elder Jenai Hicklin,
the niece of Deaconess Marlene Cook served as the Sunday
morning speaker. She was born in Toledo, graduated from
DeVilbiss High school and Jackson State University. Her
ministry and career journey began by serving as a chaplain
for several school athletic teams in Toledo, singing in a
quartet group called The Spirit of Truth Gospel Singers,
working with Toledo Urban Missions, and University of Toledo
Minority Business Assistance Center as the coordinator.
“The Women’s Day committee and our Chairperson Sister
Hubbard, did an awesome job. I want to say to the women of
this church, that if it wasn’t for the women we won’t have a
church. I appreciate everyone. It’s a blessing to have
members who serve above and beyond for Jesus,” explained
Rev. James Willis, pastor of St. Paul.
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