A Joyous King Commemoration

February 1993

New Cote Brilliante Choir. Photographer not credited.

Historical February 1993 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.

On a cold and wintry day, many people fought snowy streets to join together at Grace and Peace Church to commemorate the life and teachings of the Rev.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The mood of the occasion was set by an outstanding series of vocal presentations.

The choir of the New Cote Brilliante Church of God opened the program with spiritual numbers that captured the intent of the occasion. Then, the stage was filled by second graders from New City School who brought back the sounds of the civil rights movement Some in the audience were moved back in time by hearing the words of “This Little Light of Mine” and especially “Come on up to the front of the bus; I’ll be sitting right up there.” Third and fourth graders from Hamilton School then spoke—in their own words—of what peace means to them.

They said in part that peace meant to stop killing other people, loving others and treating people fairly.

The principal speaker was Lt. Colonel Ronald Henderson of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police. Henderson, a member of the police force since 1970, participates in the Dr. Martin Luther King Support Group that avows the philosophy King proclaimed. Henderson told those assembled that he did not really understand nonviolence in the 1960s.

He had to come to realize what it was. What was King’s dream? Henderson said that King spoke of the human race, of all God’s children, of us all getting along. How do we treat people who don’t look like us? Henderson said we all have our prejudices within us.

We have to work on winning folks over, not on winning over them. Henderson said that St. Louis is not being overrun. Many are getting involved with working with young people. But, people are getting killed here. Fighting is not the answer.

We have to go back to the dream and live with each others as brothers and sisters. Otherwise, we will perish.

In 1989, Henderson was selected as the captain of the second district in south Saint Louis.

He was to be the first black captain there.

He decided to be a captain who just happens to be black.

It worked and was the most inspiring part of his career. Henderson said that we have to understand that being different is okay.

He said that to make it in this country, you have to prepare yourself.

We can solve the problems in this city.

We need more fellowship and more parents involved with their kids, according to the lieutenant colonel The choice is nonviolence or nonexistence according to Henderson. “We have to learn to live together in peace.” Two sisters attending St. Roch’s school used poetry to illustrate Dr. King’s message. Langston Hughes’ words struck many chords. Seventh graders from Crossroads School also used poetry effectively to illustrate the lessons from Dr. King’s life. Music again became the highlight of the afternoon Lydia Ruffin of Grace and Peace Fellowship sang beautifully.

Her rendition of “Amazing Grace” will not soon be equaled for anyone.

The program closed as the New Cote Brilliante Church of God choir led the audience in “We Shall Overcome.” Jack Wright, of 58xx Pershing, who has helped to organize these commemorations for a number of years, served as the master of ceremonies. Rev. Egon Middelmann of Grace and Peace Fellowship made opening remarks and the Rev. Mikki Merritt of the New Cote Brilliante Church of God offered the closing remarks. Sponsors this year were the Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council, Grace and Peace Fellowship, and the New Cote Brilliante Church of God with the very active participation of New City School, St. Roch’s School, Hamilton Elementary School, and Crossroads School.

The sponsors provided refreshments after the commemoration to attendees and participants in the program.