Laity Day
THE ORIGIN OF LAITY DAY
Laity Day at St. Matthew Baptist Church originated in August 1974 from a suggestion of First Lady, Sister Lucille S. Whipper. As was and still is in many African American Churches, Men’s Day and Women’s Day were celebrated separately and served as a fund raising activity. The Men’s Day activity at St. Matthew Baptist was seldom fully supported and did not meet the intended financial goal. Therefore, the suggestion was made to Reverend B. J. Whipper, presented and approved by the congregation to combine Men’s Day and Women’s Day into one day to be called Laity Day. It was further agreed that Laity Day would be observed the third Sunday of August and would begin with the morning worship service.
Members of the various Missionary Boards and the Brotherhood served as chair and co-chair person and accepted the responsibilities to put the approved plan in action. The groups agreed that the morning speaker would be a lay individual (not an ordained minister) and alternate annually from male to female.
In an effort to recognize the largest number of elderly members of the church, Sister Marie Grant initiated a plan to announce to the congregation, a happy birthday wish to each member in his or her respective month. This plan led to another suggestion of Sister Lucille S. Whipper, which was to develop monthly Birthday Clubs within the church and make it a part of the Laity Day Observance. The birth months competed with each other to raise funds which defrayed the cost of members (delegates) and the Pastor attending the National Baptist Convention and to supplement financial giving during the summer months. The competition culminated with an afternoon of beautifully decorated tables covered with tasty goodies to be enjoyed by all. The fundraising competition increased each year and in some years exceeded the goals.
LAITY DAY CONTINUES TO THIS DAY!
Laity Day at St. Matthew Baptist Church originated in August 1974 from a suggestion of First Lady, Sister Lucille S. Whipper. As was and still is in many African American Churches, Men’s Day and Women’s Day were celebrated separately and served as a fund raising activity. The Men’s Day activity at St. Matthew Baptist was seldom fully supported and did not meet the intended financial goal. Therefore, the suggestion was made to Reverend B. J. Whipper, presented and approved by the congregation to combine Men’s Day and Women’s Day into one day to be called Laity Day. It was further agreed that Laity Day would be observed the third Sunday of August and would begin with the morning worship service.
Members of the various Missionary Boards and the Brotherhood served as chair and co-chair person and accepted the responsibilities to put the approved plan in action. The groups agreed that the morning speaker would be a lay individual (not an ordained minister) and alternate annually from male to female.
In an effort to recognize the largest number of elderly members of the church, Sister Marie Grant initiated a plan to announce to the congregation, a happy birthday wish to each member in his or her respective month. This plan led to another suggestion of Sister Lucille S. Whipper, which was to develop monthly Birthday Clubs within the church and make it a part of the Laity Day Observance. The birth months competed with each other to raise funds which defrayed the cost of members (delegates) and the Pastor attending the National Baptist Convention and to supplement financial giving during the summer months. The competition culminated with an afternoon of beautifully decorated tables covered with tasty goodies to be enjoyed by all. The fundraising competition increased each year and in some years exceeded the goals.
LAITY DAY CONTINUES TO THIS DAY!
2013 Laity Day Photos (HERE)
2015 Laity Day Totals
January : $ 880
February : $ 994
March : $ 1,341
April : $ 640
May: $ 530
June : $ 1,390
July : $ 796.75
August : $ 1,065
September : $ 800
October : $ 600
(WINNER!) November : $ 1,450
December : $ 1,050