Out & About: NAACP prayer luncheon seeks peace amidst storms

After high winds and heavy rains on March 3 left damage and power outages across Westmoreland County, members of the Greensburg-Jeannette NAACP and guests gathered the next day to find “Peace in the Midst of the Storm.”

The theme was chosen prior to the forecast, but it turned out to be fitting for the organization’s annual prayer luncheon at Giannilli’s II in Unity.

Speaker Earnestine Moore, district missionary from First Unity Church of God in Christ in Jeannette, said storms aren’t just hurricanes and tornadoes. Our society also is in the midst of societal storms including violence, drugs, teen bullying and division.

“I want people to know that they can overcome all of these storms with the help of Jesus,” she said.

In welcoming remarks, Women in NAACP Chair Norma Skillings invited attendees to open their eyes “to see the wondrous glories of the Lord,” their ears to hear the message and their hearts in order to live it out.

Serving as mistress of ceremonies, Dr. Robin Sims said, “I’m so proud of the NAACP. It was founded in secrecy in the Black church to help us through the high times and the low times.

“It’s the oldest, the biggest and the baddest civil rights program,” she said, sparking cheers from the crowd.

Sister Barbara Ann Smelko of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill provided a Scripture reading, while Elder Reed Moore, pastor of First Unity Church, offered a prayer.

Nikesha Moore provided vocals and keyboards for selections of praise music.

Seen: NAACP branch President Ruth Tolbert, Jerry Skillings, Momodu C. Taylor, Denise Holmes, Lurene Moore, Suzanne English, Jean Slusser, Jim Galik, Elizabeth Bryant and the Rev. Sylvia Carlson.