MLK Day Celebrated

Gracious God, we gather here in the name of your son, Jesus;
We gather here on this day in remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.;
We gather here to glorify you, as a ‘Community of Togetherness Celebrating Diversity.'”
Rev. Phillip Dennis

And so began the community King Day celebration Monday which began with a morning meditation on the Square.

In 1986, the U.S. Congress established the Monday following Dr. King’s January 15th birth date as a national holiday as a means to honor the memory of the slain civil rights leader.

Rev. Dennis of the Monticello Presbyterian Church led the morning festivities with a prayer and the singing of God Bless America and We are Marching in the Light of God before a small crowd of local citizens. {{more}}

“Because the race is not over; the march has not ended…The march goes on. We continue to sing God Bless America for that blessing. Christ came to earth and died and rose from the dead for that blessing. The dream that Dr. King lived and died for was that blessing.”

Immediately following the conclusion of the activities on the Square marchers were led by Detective Roberta Anderson and members of the Get Ahead House drill team on a parade/freedom commemorative walk through the city.

The parade route led marchers by three local historically African-American churches—St. John A.M.E. Church on Key Street, Springfield Baptist Church on Hillsboro Street and concluding at St. James A.M.E. Church on Funderburg Drive.

Following the march an afternoon interfaith worship celebration ensued with attendees hearing from various representatives of the Jasper County religious and governmental sectors.

The service featured city manager Walter Smith as the speaker. The local-born and raised retired Air Force Colonel encouraged listeners to “let your light shine.” He said that God expects each of us to do more in life and recognized the recently named 2002 Citizen of the Year, Holsey Tinsley, for doing thus.

The program opened with the hymn Lift Every Voice and Sing; the Rev. James McCray led the invocation; city councilpersons Bryan Standifer and Jacqueline Smith read the scripture readings; the Rev. Greg Dunlop gave the welcome; and the Rev. James Hardaway offered an uplifting presentation of the occasion while encouraging listeners to read more and suggesting some books about Dr. Martin Luther King.

The St. James Praise Team performed a dance to He Loves Me and the Mass Choir sang several selections directed by DeWayne Pinkney and musicians Gail Booker, Daryl Booker, and Howard Smith; Tracy Trovillo initiated the offering which was to be contributed to the Octoberblitz and Jasper County Care Corps; retired educator Howard Smith introduced the speaker and Rev. Dennis performed the benediction.

Other greetings and reflections were given by mayor Susan Holmes; mayor pro-tem Otis Clark; commissioner Carl Penna-mon; Jasper County School System representative Jerry Williams; sheriff Charles Roper; and police chief Danny Norris.
The worship celebration was coordinated by the St. James Social Action Commission under the direction of Rev. Spencer Lamar Booker.