Using the theme "Building on the Dream, the Riverside Clergy Association held a well attended service to celebrate the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Excited by the program and the turn out, President Rev. Paul Munford said,"I am so grateful for the support of the community and making this event successful. I feel this was one of the best celebrations that we have ever had. I was pleased with the turn out I was pleased with the MLK Community Choir which consists of 10 area churches to the Children's Dream Choir touched the hearts."
 There were members of the clergy, residents and youth, who came to remember King in song and spoken word. Program participants included: Pastor Munford, (New Joy Baptist Church) Pastor L.E. Campbell, (Park Ave. Baptist), Pastor Earl Norwood, Pastor Levonzo, Sr., Pastor Ralph Rivers (Good News Community Church) Pastor Henry Combs, Jr.,( Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church) Pastor Julio A. Andujo,(Amos Temple), Pastor F.D. Bullock, (Living Word Baptist), Deacon Major Carter, Bishop Craig Johnson, (Cathedral of Praise) and Pastor James B. Ellis, Jr.( New Beginnings Community Church).
Rev. Paul S. Munford, Pastor F.D. Bullock,
Mayor Ronald O. Loveridge, Bishop Craig
Johnson and Pastor Julio Andujo.
 The recitation of excerpts from four of King's speeches were presented: Amos Temple's youth Charlie Byrd presented "The Birth of a New Nation" that King delivered in 1957 at his Dexter Ave. Church, Montgomery; Deacon Major Carter of Park Ave. Baptist Church presented "Give Us the Ballot" that King delivered it in 1957 at a Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom in Washington D.C.; from Cathedral of Praise, a youthful Brandon Willoughby presented King's last speech in 1968 "I've Been to the Mountaintop;" Pastor Ralph Rivers, of Good News Community Church gave his famous recitation of King's 1963 "I Have a Dream." The speeches were interspersed with music from a most outstanding combined Community Choir, made up of members of several area churches directed by Marvina "Cookie" Levy formerly of Park Ave. Baptist Church.
Rose Mayes (far left) and Ali Sahabi
(far right) joined others at the King
Celebration.
"The strength of the choir was outstanding," said Pastor Andujo, "It (the event) was a great show of solidarity, but the gift from Ali Sahabi, not a usual gift to get, was outstanding," he continued.
 Mayor Ron Loveridge gave greetings from the city and Al Sahabi, President of SE Corporation and a believer in the King doctrine made a commitment of $20,000 for the Riverside Clergy Association Martin Luther King, Jr. Education Fund. He pledged to personally donate $10,000 to be matched by another $10,000. "This was a wonderful and powerful event celebrating the birthday of a true champion for justice and dignity for all," said Mr. Sahabi. And he welcomes anyone wishing to help with the match to do so. The funds will help college bound and continuing college students to pay for necessities for college. For information of how to be involved call (951)779-0088.
The surprise on the program was the presentation of the Visionary Award presented to Rev. Munford for his leadership in leading the Riverside Clergy Association and for organizing the Martin Luther King, Jr. birthday celebration event. "I commend the pastors and the community organizations for coming together as one, I thank everyone for the Visionary Award for my role in religion and community work
BACK TO ARTICLES...
|
