Honoring Dr. King

Today is the federal
holiday that marks the birth of the civil rights leader.

By PATRICIA MEADE

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

YOUNGSTOWN — “There is no rest for us until the message of Martin Luther King Jr. is delivered,” Bishop George V. Murry told a multi-racial multi-denominational congregation.

The bishop of the Diocese of Youngstown was guest speaker Sunday afternoon at New Bethel Baptist Church for a community worship service to honor King. The gathering included Baptists, Catholics, Jews and Muslims.

Today is the federal holiday that marks King’s birth. The Baptist minister and famed civil rights activist, shot to death in April 1968 in Memphis Tenn., would have been 79.

The bitter cold didn’t keep the faithful away. They filled every pew in the Hillman Street church.

The choirs’ rendition of “We Shall Overcome” — delivered with hand-clapping and foot tapping — set the tone for an uplifting 90-minute service. The Antioch Baptist Church Choir, New Bethel Combined Choir and El Fuego, Ursuline High School Liturgical Choir, sang.

“We’re here to let freedom ring in Youngstown, Boardman, Canfield and Austintown,” Rev. Kenneth L. Simon, New Bethel pastor, said. “In every village, every hamlet — King said that.”

As the New Bethel Choir sang the hymn “One More Time,” seven “Praise Dancers,” one gentleman and six ladies (all dressed in white), swirled pastel-colored flags down the center aisle and in front of the pulpit.

Bishop Murry used Homer’s classic Greek “The Messenger” tale to illustrate the need to keep alive King’s message, his dream that all men and women would be free and judged by the content of their character, not the color of their skin. In Homer’s tale, the messenger was running to bring word that war had been won. Tired, the messenger wanted to stop and rest but was told he couldn’t until the message had been delivered.

“Complete [King’s] work,” Bishop Murry told the congregation. “Live what he said.”

There is a violence in our community, the bishop said, and we must take responsibility for ending the violence. He said nonviolent ways must be found to resolve conflict rather than with a gun or a knife.

“There’s no reason for discrimination or hatred, to go to war, for violence in our community,” Bishop Murry said. “The message of Dr. King resounds in our ears.”

His words were met with enthusiastic applause.

A large screen mounted at the front of the church, used to telecast the service and choirs, later switched to show a montage of King’s photos.

The Rev. Lonnie Simon, 82-year-old emeritus pastor at New Bethel, sat up front in a wheelchair, a King photo pin in his lapel. Mr. Simon, pastor for 33 years, proudly recalled marching with King to Montgomery, Ala. in 1965.

U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-17th, presented Mr. Simon with an ornate hand-carved cane from Africa. Ryan brought the cane, adorned with a giraffe on top, back from a recent trip to Kenya.

Ryan, in his comments to the congregation, focused on the word ethos, which means the characteristic spirit of a culture, era or community as shown in its beliefs and aspirations.

He said King shaped assumptions.

“We contribute to the ethos of our community,” Ryan said. “Ten years from now Youngstown is going to be the comeback city ... They will say it was their attitude.”

Sunday’s gathering included Rabbi Joel Berman, Ohev Tzedek Congregation, Imam Dawud W. Abdullah, Youngstown Islamic Center, Rev. Henry McNeil, pastor Alpha and Omega First Baptist Church and Rev. Lewis W. Macklin II, pastor Holy Trinity Baptist Church.

meade@vindy.com