MLK Service Brings Different Races, Denominations Together
Contributed by Bob and Maree Gauper
When people of different races and denominations come together as a family, it is even more exciting than a spicy bowl of bibimbap, and nowhere has this been more clear than in the interdenominational gatherings celebrating the life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. which we have organized for several years.
The Grace Episcopal Church in Wheatland, CA and another church, Mt. Olivet Baptist, have been loyal supporters of our MLK initiative since 2014. Before the 2016 holiday season began, we asked the Grace Church mission committee if they would like to host this year’s event. They enthusiastically agreed, and we scheduled our interdenominational gathering for Sunday, January 15, inviting Mt. Olivet’s Rev. Dr. Carl L. Dorn to be the keynote speaker.
Congregational singing alternated with special performances. Mt. Olivet brought singers and praise dancers, Grace Church presented two songs, and Unificationists Michael and Kazuka Brown of Elk Grove, CA performed “Wake Up” by Gamble and Huff with their newly formed youth band. There were no empty pews in the Grace Church nave and the mood was exuberant.
After a quiet opening keynote speaker Dr. Dorn switched to his preaching tone and delivered a fiery message to the audience of about 60 people, mostly white Episcopalians, black Baptists and visiting Unificationists on the theme “the true measure of a man.”
Two local Wal-Marts donated a total of $125 worth of gift cards and Grocery Outlet donated $20, making it possible for us to provide a substantial array of finger food to our guests, some of whom traveled 140 miles to support the event.
It is always so encouraging to see people from different races and denominations come together to sing and praise God together under one roof as a family and to celebrate the legacy and vision of a man who was considered by some to be the greatest American of the 20th century.
We hope that others will feel inspired about the possibility of world peace, and that if you feel called to do so, to plan a similar event next year in your own community or neighborhood.
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