Women’s day

AUG. 8—Gethsemane COGIC, 200 Crest St., Clairton, will host their Annual Women’s Day at 11 a.m. The guest speaker will be Mother Loretta Meadows Clark of the Western Pennsylvania Jurisdictional Supervisor of Women.

Pastor’s anniversary

AUG. 8—Mulberry Community Church, 601 Wallace Ave., Wilkinsburg, will host their 10th Pastoral Anniversary for Rev. Kevin E. Cooper at 11 a.m. The guest preacher will be Rev. Desmond Robinson of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church. There will also be a 4 p.m. service with Rev. William H. Curtis. For more information, call 412-241-1664.

Auditions

AUG. 9—The Pittsburgh Gospel Choir will host Auditions for the 2010-2011 season from 6-7 p.m. at East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 616 South Highland Ave., East Liberty. They are seeking new volunteer members, especially with tenor and bass voices. The group performs classical, spiritual, traditional and contemporary gospel. Auditions will be held on Mondays during the months of August and September.

Showcase auditions

AUG. 12—Jesus Anoints Me Ministry will host Auditions for its Talent Showcase at 5 p.m. at Central Baptist Church, 2200 Wylie Ave., Hill District. The theme is “I’m Not Scared.” Registration is requested. For more information, call Minister Kay Brown at 412-400-5469 or visit www.jesusanointsme.org/1.

Cantaloupe jubilee

AUG. 13—Unity Baptist Church, 1023 Talbot Ave., Braddock, will host their Cantaloupe Day Jubilee 75th Celebration at 7 p.m. There will celebrate 75 years of serving cantaloupe treats to patients. There will be a special tribute to Willa Bea Greathouse. Call Dorothy Lee at 412-241-3777.

Youth explosion

AUG. 15—Unity Baptist Church, 1023 Talbot Ave., Braddock, will host its Annual “Back to School Explosion” at 2 p.m. The theme this year is “Unity in the Community.” This event will feature some of the areas most talented vocalists, mime ministries and gospel rappers in the area. Free hot dogs will be given out during the event. The event will take place at the Braddock Avenue and Library Street. parking lot. Come out and support our youths as we lift up the name of Jesus. Call 412-271-2667 or visit www.my­space.com/ubcyouth1023.

Baptist convention

AUG. 15—The Pennsylvania Baptist State Convention Inc. Western Region Women’s Ministry will host their Women of Distinction event from 4-7 p.m. at the Longue Vue Country Club, 400 Longue Vue Dr., Verona. The event will recognize several local women for their dedication to the ministry. There will be praise and worship. Reservations are required and the cost is $40. Call 412-731-3232.

Back to school

AUG. 28—The Education Department of Pentecostal Temple COGIC, 6300 East Liberty Blvd., East Liberty, will host its Back to School Celebration, “I Got Your Back” from 1-4 p.m. This is an event for all local youths, especially in the East Liberty community. They will receive various school supplies for the new school year, fellowship, fun, entertainment and special giveaways. There will also be information for parents. Call Denise White at 412-371-6268.

Church trip

OCT. 2—Morningside COGIC, 5173 Dearborn St., Morningside will host a Church Trip to “Joseph” at the Sights and Sounds Millenium Theatre, Lancaster. The price includes transportation, theater and buffet meal. For more information, call 412-361-9865.

Fellowship excursion

OCT. 16—El-BethEl Temple Church, 800 South Ave., Wilkinsburg, will host a Fellowship Excursion to see a showing of “Joseph” from 6:30 a.m.-11 a.m. at the Sights and Sounds Millenium Theatre, Lancaster. The cost of the trip is $135 and payments must be made by Oct. 2. Reservations are required to hold seats. Call 412-271-4727.

Gospel hour

ONGOING—Pittsburgh Spirit & Soul will host a Friday Lunchtime Gospel Hour from 12:15-1 p.m. at 937 Liberty Ave., Cultural District. The event is free and all are welcome. Call 412-261-1692, ext. 1.

(To have items listed in the Church Circuit, send information at least two weeks in advance to: 315 E. Carson St., Pittsburgh, PA 15219; Fax: 412-481-1360 or e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .)

Uniquea Lee Hines was tragically murdered Jan. 6.

The benefit dinner was in Clairton at the Ascension Hall, June 12.

Music was provided by former WAMO deejay GQ, a Chinese auction with raffles from the Pittsburgh Steelers and dinner was provided.

Proceeds benefit Uniquea’s Love United and Womansplace in McKeesport.

People from throughout the city attended the event to show their support for the effort to stop the violence and bring attention to the fact the people killed are not just stats, but have families and others that loved them.

VICTIIM'S FAMILY—The family of victim: James Hines, uncle; Donald Arrington, stepdad; Karen Hines, mother; Queen Estha Lee, grandmother; Theresa Hines, aunt; Latisha Hines, sister; Angie Kirkland, aunt; Linda Kilowaski, aunt; and Vernon Hines, uncle.

It has become an annual day to commemorate and celebrate freedom and equal rights for all.

In operation since the mid-1930s, The Sewickley Community Center is a non-profit organization originally founded as a recreational venue for African-Americans in Sewickley and the surrounding communities.

HEADING THE EVENT—Organizers of the event were Miriam Rader, committee; Ingrid LaFleur Whitehead, co-organizer; and Autumn Redcross, co-organizer.

On July 17, I spent a wonderful day with an incredible family of relatives that can trace their roots back six generations.

The day began when I met with a member of the Jenkins family, a great guy named James Scott, in East Liberty at 9 a.m., to go to South Park Township where the Jenkins Family 80th Reunion would take place. We were one of the earliest members to arrive at the main cottage lodge and be greeted by “Auntie” Barbara Jean Minor, who also was a very pleasant lady to know and spend the day with.

OLDEST FAMILY MEMBER—“Momma” Marian Jenkins-DeVaughn, front left, with Barbara Jean Minor and Dorothy Jones. Back, from left: Celeste Jenkins, Carolyn Davis, Leslie Jenkins, and Juanita Jenkins hold quilt with family history and photos on it.

As we waited for the others to arrive, some of the early arrivals played toss with footballs and softballs in the parking area, a warm-up for the annual softball game to be played later. Meanwhile several of the other cousins and aunts started to prepare the food for the day in the lodge’s kitchen. The Jenkins family’s family tree extends as far south as Mississippi, Florida and Virginia, and north, ranging from Ohio to New York, with Pittsburgh right in the middle.