Jackson Progress-Argus

Photo by Heather Middleton

By Diane Glidewell

dglidewell@myjpa.com

Monday, Jan. 17, was the 25th anniversary of the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday, which is celebrated on the third Monday of each January, around the time of King's birthday on Jan. 15.

King is remembered as a leader in America's civil rights movement and a champion of justice and equality for all people. For each of the past 25 years, the United Coalition of Jackson has sponsored a special program for the holiday at the Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Jackson.

The theme of the 2011 Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday was "Remember! Celebrate! Act! One Love--One Dream." The program sponsored by the United Coalition featured each of these elements. From beginning to end, the program was filled with instrumental and vocal musical selections that proclaimed the wide range of talent with which Butts County is blessed.

Deacons Edward Duffey and Timothy Strickland opened the program with songs and words of welcome. The Rev. Charlie Barlow, president of the Butts County chapter of the NAACP and a member of the ministerial staff of Zion Missionary Baptist Church, then spoke of the inspiration of King and of the consistency of leaders in the Butts County community in remembering King's teachings and legacy.

Barlow spoke of how the United Coalition has been instrumental in pulling all of the groups in the community together. He noted that had the United Coalition not been coordinating a program every year, this program might have been about forgotten heroes.

Deacon Charles Watson led those present in singing "Lift Every Voice and Sing." Barlow noted the meanings embedded in the song's verses, "We are never free until we are all free."

Scripture readings for the evening followed, with the Rev. Asa Thurman reading Genesis 37 from the Old Testament, and the Rev. Harvey Norris reading a passage from Romans 8 as the New Testament message. After the Rev. B. McKibben, whom Barlow introduced as a quiet, powerful man who has worked behind the scenes for years, led in prayer, focus turned to the Butts County Community Choir, directed by Deacon Theodore Patterson.

Brother Kidd Sheppard was the featured singer in "I Woke up This Morning with My Mind Set on Freedom," and Deacon Jonas Allen sang the lead in a special arrangement of "Lean on Me."

The youth of Butts County then stepped up for their part in the annual program, beginning with an historical drama presentation coordinated by Naomi Duffey and Rachel Dumas. The drama began with 1619, when the first Africans came to America, and continued with scenes through the years in the 1700s, 1800s and 1900s, into the Civil Rights Movement of Dr. King's era. It highlighted milestones in African American history, and pioneers such as Harriet Tubman, black legislators and inventors, and Rosa Parks, and Barack Obama.

Danita Husband narrated the presentation; other youths who participated included Janellya Duffey, Desani Holoman, Lance Holoman, Kathryn Berry, Tyesha Barlow, Ahmaud Grier, Daniella Husband, LaShunika Hicks, MyKayla Usher, and Kevon Usher.

Kevon Usher, the youngest speaker to take the podium for the King Holiday program, gave his interpretation of the "Purlie Victorious Epilogue," from the final scene of a play by Ossie Davis. He was followed by Ramira Marshall, who recited "Standing Tall" by Jamie McKenzie. The poignant messages and the poise with which Usher and Marshall delivered them were appreciated by the audience.

"For the young to act out our history gives them ownership of history," said Barlow.

The Butts County Community Choir then featured Marcus Head, Theodore Patterson, Alfonso Duffey, and Edward Duffey in "It's So Hard to Say Good-by to Dr. King."

The featured speaker, the Rev. Christopher Wimberly of Hunter Hill First Baptist Church in Atlanta, was introduced by Deacon Curtis Taylor as one who "has taken Hunter Hill beyond the walls of the church."

The passion and vitality in Wimberly's message seemed to echo from the walls and rafters of the sanctuary. After asking, "Is there anybody here tonight who loves the Lord?" until he got the enthusiasm in response that he wanted, he told the crowd that he had tried to be a speaker at a service earlier that day but that he was not called to speak but rather to preach.

Wimberly based his message on Matthew, Chapter 14, in which Peter climbs from the fishing boat and steps onto the sea to meet Jesus, who is walking on the waters.

"Dr. King was always progressing, moving forward. I want to talk to you tonight about moving beyond where you are," said Wimberly. "It is God's desire to move us forward, from blessing to blessing. Praise him for what he has done, what he is doing, and what he is about to do."

Wimberly spoke of the call to accept challenges, to rely on God to help weather the storms, and to be careful of letting complacent people crush dreams.

With Wimberly's message reverberating, those present ended the King Holiday program as they have for many years, by all joining hands and singing together, "We Shall Overcome."