Scholarships - Metropolitan Association |New York

Scholarships

The Metropolitan Association | New York Conference | United Church of Christ

Our purpose is to promote fellowship among member congregations and organizations, to offer spiritual support to each church and its leadership, to organize educational events and conferences, and to provide other services as needed.

The Metropolitan Association New York Conference of the United Church of Christ currently sponsors two scholarships for students pursuing higher education. Scholarships are open to anyone who has applied and has been accepted to a four-year college or university in the United States or an official certified vocational institute that confers a recognized and approved certificate of satisfactory achievement. This category of students may also include but not be limited to graduate students, seminarians and courses of study not outlined in the traditional academic fields of study.

The Metropolitan Association New York Conference has taken the time to remember two of its inspiring , encouraging and motivational members to name scholarships in their honor. Both individuals have been advocates in their belief and support of the next generation being prepared.

The Association has had a Scholarship Award system in the past. It has granted number of scholarships to students of its affiliate member churches. This scholarship evolved from a donation from South Congregational Church of Brooklyn. In the mid 1900’s the congregation closed and disposed of their property making financial donations to various church related organizations. They asked the Association to use the funds to provide scholarships to well-deserving students pursuing higher education.

These funds have been placed in an endowment portfolio for purposes of gaining interest and for purposes of using accrued dividends for future scholarship awards. Metro’s original Scholarship originated as described above. The scholarship was renamed in honor of Louise Manigault after her untimely death in September 2020.

Louise served in several major capacities in the Association and in the community. She had served as NYC Public School teacher, minister of the gospel, an international author of inspirational devotions, a Toast Master’s instructor and an entrepreneur. She was multitalented and had sort and inspired others to fulfill their God given talents for His glory. She formerly served in administrative capacities serving of the Hollis Avenue Congregational and St. Albans Congregational. She served as a multifaceted Executive Administrator in the Metropolitan Association’s main office.

The second scholarship has been named to the memory of the Rev. Cynthia Jackson. Rev. Jackson served as the senior pastor of Church of the Evangel in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn. She was an active member of the Association’s Scholarship Committee. She was a concerned and compassionate advocate promoter for those who took a non-traditional approach to fulfilling their educational undertakings. She was a strong proponent of vocational and non-four-year training programs. She has supported students who were undertaking graduate studies. A scholarship that supported and spoke Rev. Jackson’s life’s philosophy was named in her memory shortly after her passing in February, 2023. Rev. Cynthia as she as affectionately known was an member of the United Black Christians and a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

The Scholarship Committee takes pride in working diligently to honor the standards, criteria and memories of these servants of God. Their advocacy, tutelage, guidance, counsel and outreach have provided support systems for former recipients to achieve their respective goals in life.

Your assistance in helping to maintain and sustain the scholarship fund is the goal of the committee. Support has come to the two scholarship funds through various means. Donations have been made designating where the donor wishes their contribution should go. It is suggested that the “Memo” section of the check be utilized to route the gift. Contributions can be made anytime throughout the year. Assigning your individual donation will aid the committee in awarding more scholarships through the Manigault or Jackson awards.

The Committee seeks your assistance in keeping the memories of these two Servants memories alive. Help the committee support students throughout the Metropolitan Association with your kind donations.

Awardees

Below are the names and photographs of the 2024-2025 Metropolitan Association’s Scholarship recipients. There was one applicant for the Scholarship Louise Manigault Scholarship and two applicants for the Rev. Cynthia Jackson. Each of the applicants submitted applications and were interviewed individually by the committee to gain further information receive an understanding about their preparation and impending career potentials. Congratulations to each of you.

Louise Manigault Scholarship 2024-2025

Aksana Aastrid Vigi

Hunter College

Human Biology

Rev. Cynthia Jackson Scholarship 2024-2025

Master of Science

Pharmaceutical Sciences and Business

Rev Cynthia Jackson Scholarship 2024-2025

New York Medical Career Training Center

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

God is Still Speaking! Let's Ensure that We are Actively Listening.