Holland Lodge No. 256 held its seventh annual Scholarship Appreciation Banquet honoring first ladies and husbands of the Holland community on March 23 at Hub 757.

The Rev. Delores Manley, assistant pastor of Piney Grove Church, Franklin, was the keynote speaker. She informed the guests that the position of first lady or first gentleman is not a biblical term; rather, it is a term of endearment without any entitlements.

Manley’s speech was full of antidotes, examples and illustrations appropriate to the occasion. Her speech resonated with the 250 guests as she succinctly detailed the role of the preacher’s wife. She stressed that holiness dignifies and empowers the pastor’s wife to effectively support her husband’s pastorate. Holiness, she continued, is still the standard for the people of God in all churches.

First ladies of the following churches were honored: Corinth Chapel United Church of Christ, Divine Church of Deliverance, First Baptist South Hill, Galatians United Church of Christ, Gethsemane Baptist Church, Healing Chapel Baptist Church, Holland Mission United Church of Christ, Laurel Hill United Church of Christ, Mineral Springs Baptist Church, Mount Sinai Baptist Church, New Olive Branch Baptist Church, Palm Tree Baptist Church, Piney Grove Baptist Church, Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Saint John United Church of Christ, Saint Steven Holiness Church, Stony Branch Missionary Baptist Church and Zion United Church of Christ.

Arnold Beard, husband of the Rev. Madelene Beard of the Galatians United Church of Christ, held the distinction of being the only first gentleman.