Speaker urges service to others

By Linda m. Linonis

The keynote speaker told the audience to ‘live the moment’ by doing something useful with it.

YOUNGSTOWN — “We’re here to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King,” said the Rev. Kenneth L. Simon, pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church and worship leader, as he greeted 150 people at a community worship service in memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The event Sunday afternoon was sponsored by the Martin Luther King Planning Committee of Mahoning County at Price Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Methodist Church, 920 Dryden Ave.

“His dreams are becoming reality,” the Rev. Mr. Simon said of the work of the civil rights activist and community service promoter.

Yulanda McCarty-Harris, director of Equal Opportunity and Diversity at Youngstown State University, introduced the speaker as a “man of God driven by the spirit of excellence.” She told the audience to “hold on to their seats,” but the Rev. Talmadge Thomas, keynote speaker, brought some in the audience to their feet with many giving spontaneous words of encouragement and praise to God. He is pastor of City of Zion Ministries in Toledo and serves as the religious affairs coordinator for the Toledo Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Referring to the excitement, hope and pride associated with President-elect Barack Obama’s election and impending inauguration, the Rev. Mr. Talmadge said, “This a great time to be alive.”

He told his audience of about 150 that this is “history in the making.” And he urged them to “live the moment” but not “live for the moment,” and pointed out the difference. “Live the moment,” he said, “to do something with it.” And he emphasized the idea that “this is the day that the Lord has made” and we’ll never have it back again, so “make the most of it.”

Mr. Talmadge said that we are “living in the best of times, the worst of times.” “Now our 401(k)’s are 101(k)s,” he said, referring to the dire economic situation. “We thought we were safe and secure.”

He described a “best time” as the heroic and skillful actions of US Airways pilot Chesley B. Sullenberger who “did quite a job” and credited “teamwork of the crew and responders.” But Mr. Talmadge said he believed “God kept it [the plane] afloat.”

He likened Sullenberger to Martin Luther King Jr. and said both were in the business of “serving people.” MLK Day, the speaker said, is “a time to get out and serve and not a day to watch ‘The Young and the Useless,’” changing the title of a popular soap opera.

“People pitched in to help” when Flight 1549 ditched in the Hudson River, Mr. Talmadge said. He pointed out those first on the scene to help didn’t ask about the victims’ race or religion. “They pitched in to serve someone,” he said.

Mr. Talmadge suggested that people sitting on the sidelines must get involved. “As long as someone is in the margin of life, you must serve,” he said, adding that “it’s not important to make a name as an individual but to lock arms.” He said “all are called to serve.”

“Change is not a slogan,” he said, and pointed out “we can’t expect Obama to save us. We all must do something.”

Mr. Talmadge likened “people sitting on the shelf to salt in the packet. If the salt doesn’t come out and flavor food, it’s useless. If you sit on the shelf and do nothing, you’re not serving.”

The dynamic and energetic speaker concluded with this thought: “Let the works you’ve done speak for you.”