Historical February–March 2000 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Neighbors and friends filled the Grace United Methodist Church on Sunday, January 16, to honor the memory and dream of the Rev.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The New Cote Brilliante Church of God choir led the gathering in song echoing the days of the civil rights movement. Greg Freeman, chair of the annual King Commemoration, emceed the event. Rev. Mary Harvey of Grace Methodist welcomed everyone.
The Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council paid tribute to the late Kathleen Hamilton, a tireless advocate of the neighbor hood.
The Council also recognized the contributions of its past president, Gary L. Hayes, who had served in that role for four years.
A principal part in the Commemoration was played by children from a number of schools: Bethel, St. Roch, Crossroads, Hamilton as well as members of the Grace Youth Group and the Grace and Peace Fellowship Junior High Youth Group.
These youthful participants read Dr. King’s Letter from the Birmingham Jail, segments from his “I Have A Dream” speech, as well as offering poems and song.
The afternoon’s keynote speaker, Rabbi Susan Talve of the Central Reform Congregation, gave an interesting talk laced with Biblical references and some colloquial Yiddish.
She spoke of “galut,” or separateness.
It is both physical and spiritual. People have to learn compassion for others to overcome “galut.” Separateness and otherness are emblematic of oppression, according to Rabbi Talve. Talve told the gathering that there is a promised land but that we must go through the wilderness to get there.
To do that, we need to join together.
There is a way to believe there will be a time of peace, a repair of the world without denying the suffering or pain: to believe in the good amidst a broken world.
Dr. King’s work and his dream represented a bridge over the separateness.
The full program concluded with a benediction by Rev. Miki Merritt of the New Cote Brilliante Church of God. Many participants then enjoyed a reception hosted by Grace Methodist.
Original photograph caption
Rev.Miki Merritt, flanked from left by Rev.Mary Harvey, Gregory Freeman, and Rabbi Susan Talve. Photos credited to King Schoenfeld on accompanying pages.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, February–March 2000.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2000_02.pdf, printed page(s) 1, 4, 5; PDF page(s) 1, 4, 5.
