Published Monday, January 20, 2003
By Larissa Theodore
Herald Staff Writer
Many people will join together today to pay tribute to civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The Shenango Valley Ministerial Association got a jump on things Sunday with its annual King celebration at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Sharon.
Though King's birthday was on Jan. 15, today's holiday serves as a nationally observed tribute to the slain leader's dreams and philosophies.
King is remembered for his role in the forefront of the struggle against racism and oppression, and his "I Have A Dream" speech, given in 1963 from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to thousands of marchers in Washington, D.C. His roots were in the African-American Baptist church.
For the past 10 years the Shenango Valley Ministerial Association has celebrated King's legacy, said Rev. Leon Avery Jr., pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church and Sunday's master of ceremony. About 300 people crowded the church for the celebration service.
"The level of spirit and unity were really high tonight," Rev. Avery said of Sunday's service. "I think God would be happy."
The ministerial community choir, consisting of 50 members from 20 different churches, sang several selections including "We Shall Overcome" and "The Negro National Anthem."
Rev. Joseph Davis, ministerial president and pastor of Friendship Baptist Church, Farrell, called the commemoration service "enriching."
"We're here in the valley in the hopes of continuing Dr. King's word," he said. "We also believe that we've got to pray as if everything depended on God and we have to get up and move things forward."
Rev. Sidney Walker, pastor of the First Baptist Church, Farrell, and main speaker Sunday night, spoke about the bread of faith, hope and love.
Though King was assassinated April 4, 1968 in Memphis, Rev. Walker said his words of love, equality and non-violence continue to live on.
Pastor Ralph Newell, of Jesus' Church Faith Christian Center Ministries, Farrell, quoted some of King's most famous words: "Free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty, we're free at last."
King gained national prominence due to his exceptional oratorical skills, courage and dedication to non-violent protest. He organized several boycotts -- including the famous bus boycott -- his house was bombed and he was convicted along with other boycott leaders on charges of conspiring to interfere with the bus company's operations.
Annie Wise, Farrell, a member of Friendship Baptist, said listening to the choir, the message and excerpts of King's speeches was uplifting.
L.B. Jones, 14, Farrell, and Mariah Mazyck, 11, Sharon, both members of Bethlehem Baptist, said they learned a great deal from Sunday's service, including how King fought for the freedom of others.
Rev. Robert Chavers, pastor of the Community Missionary Baptist Church, Farrell, said his church canceled all of its nightly services to attend the annual ministerial event at Bethlehem Baptist.
"Everyone from our church was invited to come. It was a great service, great singing, a great message everything was very good," he said. "It was a beautiful thing for Martin Luther King to be honored and recognized today."