Congressman Al Green to speak at Alphas Founders Day

On December 5, the First United Methodist Church will host its 23RD Annual Christmas Cantata at 7:00 pm. at the church at 35615 Owens Road in Prairie View. The Community Singers will perform “Shout the Good News!” by Lloyd Larson and conducted by Dr. Lucius R. Wyatt. Ben Tibbs and Mary B. Wells will serve as narrators. Accompanying the choir will be Anne Marquis, pianist of Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church, Cypress, and Dr. Danny R. Kelley, organist, and PVAMU Dean. The St. Francis of Assisi Community Bell Troupe directed by Dr. Vicki A. Seldon, will also perform. Rev. Wilmer R. Bonner is Pastor of Prairie View First United Methodist Church. The public is invited to attend.

December 5, is also a special night for Carol Cummings Kellum who will be inducted into the 2103 Class of the SWAC Hall of Fame in Houston, Texas. Carol is a former track star of Prairie View A&M University and an Olympian representing her home of Jamaica in the 1976 Olympics and Carifta and the Panama Games. The ceremony is part of the SWAC Championship Weekend at Reliant Stadium, which will see the Jackson State University Tigers go head-to-head the Southern University Jaguars for the 2013 top prize in football at 7:00 p.m.

U.S. Congressman Al Green is the speaker for the 107th Anniversary Founders Day Observance of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. on December 8 at 5:00 p.m. in the Johnson Phillip All Faiths Chapel at Prairie View A&M University. Congressman Green represents the 9th District of Houston and was first elected to congress in 2006 and is in his fifth term. During his tenure he’s sponsored several legislations to effectively improve the quality of life for all Americans. Texas District Director Terrance Robinson will also address the audience. Alpha Phi Alpha was founded at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York on December 4, 1906. Sponsor for the event is District Area IX, which includes Prairie View chapter Epsilon Tau Lambda and Eta Gamma Chapter of Prairie View A&M University, along with Pi Omicron at Texas A&M and Pi Alpha Lambda of College Station and Sigma Gamma Lambda of Cypress-Katy. The program is open to the public. For information, write epsilontaulambda@yahoo.com

The Prairie View Federal Credit Union will host an open house on December 17 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. for members and prospective members at the CU building on 715 University Drive. Refreshments will be served.

The annual Community Christmas Caroling will take place on Tuesday, December 17 from 6:00 p.m. -8:00 p.m. The event, hosted by the men of Men of St. Francis of Assisi, include singers from First United Methodist, Emmanuel Baptist, other area churches and other volunteers. The singers will start at the Prairie View City Council Meeting at 6:00 p.m. and then traverse throughout the community, closing out that Reed’s residence on Owens road. Persons interested in hosting the singers should call Darryl Johnson at 281-730-3166.

The St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church will host its Men’s Prayer Breakfast on December 21 at 8:30 a.m. in the church’s Parish Hall on 204 Dooley Street. This year’s program will feature several area ministers who will share their experiences, while reflecting on the statements: “If I knew then what I know now” and “If I could’ a, would’ a, shoud’a.” The free breakfast is open and attendance confirmation should be sent to stfrancispv@sbcglobal.net or call 936-857-3272.

The City of Prairie View Volunteer Fire Fighters & Prairie View Police are preparing for the Annual Food & Toy Drive, their dearest and biggest event of the year. Food items, cash donations, gift cards and toys for kids 0-17 years of age, may be dropped off at the Prairie View Police Station and City Hall through December 19, 2013. If you know of families in need, please contact city hall @ 936-857-3711, the police station 936-3521 or Elaine Jackson @ 936-857-5550. Remember those in need during this time of year!

Your prayers and encouragement are welcomed for the health and well-being of Esel Bell, Ernestine Carreathers, Irene Davis, Cheryl Edmond, Thetis Edmond, B. J. Freeman, Lula Kinney, David Kirkpatrick, James Poindexter, Irene Reid, Willie Singleton, Willie Smith, Mary Ann Stubblefield, March Tramble, Ella Weaver and Douglas Woolfolk.

Happy December Birthdays: Jessica D. Berry (8), Carolyn Brown (9), Ursula Johnson (15), Vanessa Weatherspoon (15) and Emory Davis (17).

A VIEW FROM THE HILL: The staff of the Johnson Phillip All Faith Chapel and student organizations at PVAMU will host its 2013 “Gift for Tots” on Dec. 7 at 10:00 am. All children (toddlers to 8 years of age) are invited to come out and receive a Christmas gift. They are also accepting unwrapped gifts for the program. For information contact Ms. Lewis at 936-261-3591. Prairie View A&M University will hold its Fall Commencement exercises on Dec. 114 in the William Billy Nicks Auditorium. More than 500 candidates will receive degrees in various programs in two ceremonies beginning at 9 a.m. for candidates in the Graduate School, School of Architecture, College of Business and Roy G. Perry College of Engineering and at 1 p.m. for the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences, Marvin D. and June Samuel Brailsford College of Arts and Sciences, Whitlowe R. Green College of Education, College of Juvenile Justice and College of Nursing. President George C. Wright is the speaker.

Congratulations to Dr. E. Joahanne Thomas Smith on the recent announcement of her new post as Institutional Accreditation Officer, effective August 31, 2014. After 18 years in the role of Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, Thomas-Smith is making the transition to teaching and overseeing accreditation efforts. Smith was praised for eight years for her gallant efforts on leading the university’s self study which led to full reaccreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and management of the academic affairs. Since she is stepping down, the question remains, who will walk in her shoes?

Until next week, remember that whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Believe in the power and make a difference in the lives of others. Keep the news and achievements coming to prairieviewtoday@iwon.com, P. O. Box 2906, Prairie View, TX 77446.