Rev. James O. Waters served as a pastor at Grace UMC from 1976 – 1979. He introduced several committees and ministries during this time. One of these ministries was providing scholarships.
The Emanuel Mansfield Scholarship was established upon the recommendation of Rev. Waters in November 1978. Emanuel Mansfield was a renowned musician, who was a member of Grace, and this scholarship was named in his honor. Mr. Mansfield grew up in Wake, Virginia where he was known as “The Songbird”. He and several of his siblings were always singing – at home and church. His gifted singing ability was different, and everyone acknowledged it. Emanuel left Wake, Virginia and made his way, turning what had been just a dream into his reality. He became a world-renowned singer dubbed as the second Roland Hayes. He traveled the world across the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. During this time, he directed a Quartet at Morehouse College from 1939 to 1942. Mr. Mansfield received several Scholarships including one to Morehouse College In Atlanta, Georgia where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree. When he was home, there was always music until evening fell. After singing professionally for over thirty years, he finally returned home to find his place in this new world. He transitioned from being a world-traveled concert tenor to being a father, a church choir director, a community activist, and a writer for a local African American newspaper. He never once spoke about his life without any exciting revelations. Mr. Mansfield died on April 27, 1978, and was buried in the Grace United Methodist Church cemetery.
The Mansfield Scholarship Ministry has continually supported our students financially until the present time. The students return yearly to serve as speakers for our Annual Scholarship Luncheon apart from 2020 – 2022 academic school years due to the COVID -19 (pandemic). The students have attended Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) such as: Hampton, Howard, Morgan, Morehouse, Bethune Cookman, Dillard, Spelman, University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Baltimore County, Stevenson, North Carolina Central and Mount St. Mary Universities; and other institutions.
This scholarship will be awarded to Grace United Methodist Church students, only. The Grace Mansfield Scholarship Ministry assists our scholars in their quest for a higher education.
To provide leadership and guidance to student members of Grace United Methodist Church (GUMC), who participate in the Mansfield Scholarship Ministry. We encourage recent high school graduates and undergraduate students to become involved in the ministry by applying for our scholarship. Our annual scholarship program is a compensatory effort that focuses on assisting GUMC student members who are involved and actively participating in worship service, Bible Study, and/or various ministries in the church.
We seek to identify and publicly recognize Grace United Methodist Church (GUMC) student members and encourage them to continue their formal education and pursue their academic goals with some financial support from GUMC. We meet periodically throughout the year and communicate via telephone, zoom meetings and emails to discuss goals, associated with the application process to meet timely deadlines that need to be addressed.
Contact Sis. Le’Ontyne Buggs, Scholarship Ministry Co-Chair with any questions at [email protected].
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