57th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration

By Journalist Dr. Ms. Jones

NEWBURGH – “So I say to you my friends, that even though we must face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream,” repeated the congregation after Bishop Terry Dorsey on Wednesday, January 15th during The 57thAnnual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration. It was held at Baptist Temple Church. The MLK, Jr. Celebration Choir of Newburgh & Vicinity brought the praise. It was attended by the community, ministers, and several politicians, including Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson.

“Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would have been 96 years old today. What would he say about the United States of America? He would have been proud of the advances of the Black middle class and the fact that there are so many in leadership positions in all levels of government and the corporate world, yet he would be disappointed by the lack of progress for so many. Reverend King would also be disheartened by an increase in hate crimes in recent years against so many groups in this country. He would be horrified by the gun violence affecting all of our communities and how we have become almost numb to daily news reports on mass shootings. Dr. King would have been proud of the election of President Barack Obama and equally proud of the election of our own mayor, Torrance Harvey. But he would have been disappointed by the loss of Kamala Harris,” said Assemblyman Jacobson as he reminded hundreds of attendees not to take voting for granted as that was one of Dr. Kings main goals.

Members of The Christian Ministerial Fellowship of Newburgh & Vicinity, Inc. pose for a photo after The 57th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin King, Jr. Celebration.
Members of The Christian Ministerial Fellowship of Newburgh & Vicinity, Inc. pose for a photo after The 57th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin King, Jr. Celebration.

Mayor Torrance Harvey, mayor of the City of Newburgh, also attended the celebration. He gave everyone a call to serve.

“Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr… once said, ‘Don’t tell the people about me graduating from Morehouse College in 1948. Don’t tell the people about my degree from Crozer Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania. Do not talk about my PhD degree from Boston University.’ He said, ‘Talk about how I fed the hungry, how I clothed the naked, and how I led the drunk-natured to God, and served the people.’ He also once said that any and everybody can be great… All you have to do is to have a heart full of love and a heart willing to serve,” said Mayor Harvey.

Guest speaker Bishop Rubin Thompson, Pastor of Morning Star Full Gospel Assembly in the Bronx, delivered The Word. He reminded attendees to continue to follow the vision of Dr. King.

“He told the people about a way he saw for the United States of America, and I quote, ‘A way in which men will live together as brothers, a way in which the nations of the world will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks, a way in which every man will respect the dignity and worth of all human personality, a way in which every nation will allow justice to run down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream. I see, a way in which men will do justly, will love mercy and will walk humbly with God, a way in which men will be able to stand up and in the midst of oppression, in the midst of darkness and agony, they will be able to stand there and love their enemies. They will bless those that curse them. Pray for those individuals that despitefully use them.’ Dr. King went on to say, ‘And this is the way that will bring us once more into that society we think of as the brotherhood of man. This will be that day when white people, colored people, whether they are brown, whether they are yellow or whether they are Black, will join together and stretch out their arms and be able to cry out ‘free at last, free at last, great God Almighty, we are free at last!’” said Bishop Thompson.

Guest speaker Bishop Rubin Thompson, Pastor of Morning Star Full Gospel Assembly in the Bronx, delivered The Word at The 57th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin King, Jr. Celebration.
Guest speaker Bishop Rubin Thompson, Pastor of Morning Star Full Gospel Assembly in the Bronx, delivered The Word at The 57th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin King, Jr. Celebration.

The celebration was sponsored by The Christian Ministerial Fellowship of Newburgh & Vicinity, Inc. which began as The Ministerial Brotherhood and has changed its name several times over the years as it has grown. The purpose was to fellowship amongst denominations, face challenges in the community, and use their franchise in elections. The fellowship continues to work against injustices and stands in the gap for the community. Rev. Dr. Dollyann Briggs, pastor of Baptist Temple Church, Inc. is the first African American female elected president of The Christian Ministerial Fellowship of Newburgh & Vicinity in the organization’s 57-year existence.

“I’m honored that The Christian Ministerial fellowship had their 57th celebration here at the Baptist Temple Church. Fifty-seven years is a long time… To have the celebration here on the 57th year is an awesome occasion… Dr. King committed so much to civil rights and justice and even though we’re still in the struggle, we still have a dream,” said Rev. Dr. Briggs who is excited about the organization providing financial assistance through $700 scholarships in book awards to graduating seniors that are accepted to a college. “Letters have to be in by May 1st for any child that’s graduating high school and their church is a part of The Christian Ministerial fellowship and they are in good standing with their church. They can submit a letter [from their pastor] that they are graduating and they can easily [apply to] get a book award.”

During the celebration, awards were given to Rev. Dr. Nelson McAllister and Rev. Dr. Eugene Jones, former president of The Christian Ministerial Fellowship of Newburgh & Vicinity, Inc., honoring them for their early contributions and the sacrifices made for the community. Awards were also presented to Bishop Robert Bolton, Sr., current vice president, and Rev. Dr. Briggs, current president, who are continuing their legacy as this generation of leaders in the fellowship.

Journalist Ms. Jones