King’s legacy celebrated with music at Colorado Springs gathering
Commemorating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. began on Sunday for several Colorado Springs churches , a week before the national holiday honoring the civil rights leader .
While the Colorado Baptist Southern District Association will make time on Jan. 18 to honor King with their words, Sunday’s gathering on South Academy Boulevard was dedicated to song.
“Music has a way of saying something,” Rev. Donald Frazier told the crowd of a couple of hundred people , who were dressed in their Sunday finery – large hats, pressed suits and a few glittering gowns.
“I know that there is at least 10 churches in here today,” Frazier said. “We need to come together.”
The musical gathering is part of annual celebration of the life and work of King, who was assassinated in 1968 . It will be followed next week by another gathering a New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church and an annual free event at Colorado College, which starts at 7 p.m.
But while the more formal ceremonies to honor King are still a week away, the atmosphere on Sunday at Restoration of Life Ministries International , 3075 South Academy Blvd. , was relaxed and boisterous. Vera Jackson set the tone for the gathering as she welcomed the crowd, and told every one to get comfortable.
“Take off your shoes, if they fit too tight,” she said. “Loosen your belt if it’s too tight.”
The sounds of a guitar and piano reverberated throughout the room as Rev. Dennis Mose led the group in a resonant version of the song “We Shall Overcome,” an anthem of the 1960s Civil Rights Movement . Several pastors of local churches took the microphone to urge the crowd to sing or shout. “Is there anybody in the house that feels free?” Pastor Anthony Bell, of Restoration of Life Ministries, boomed at the crowd.
A resounding “yes” was the answer.
Six-year-old Aspyn McClain was born decades after Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream” speech was made. But by celebrating the birthday of Dr. King every year, his memory and accomplishments will be kept alive for each generation. Ten local churches came together for a Unity in the City Musical to kickoff the celebration of the life of Dr. King. Aspyn sings one of the gospel songs during the musical celebration at at the Restoration of Life Ministries International on Sunday, January 10, 2016. Dr. King’s birthday is a federal holiday celebrated next Monday, January 18. Photo by Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette
Ninety-two-year old Lorena Thomas belts out a song during a musical to celebrate the birthday of Martin Luther King. Ten local churches came together for a Unity in the City Musical to kickoff the celebration of the life of Dr. King. Aspyn sings one of the gospel songs during the musical celebration at at the Restoration of Life Ministries International on Sunday, January 10, 2016. Dr. King’s birthday is a federal holiday celebrated next Monday, January 18. Photo by Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette
Sharon Walker holds her grandson, Christopher Clinton, while singing “We Shall Overcome”. Ten local churches came together for a Unity in the City Musical to kickoff the celebration of the life of Dr. King. Photo by Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette
Ninety-two-year old Lorena Thomas belts out a song during a musical to celebrate the birthday of Martin Luther King. Ten local churches came together for a Unity in the City Musical to kickoff the celebration of the life of Dr. King. Aspyn sings one of the gospel songs during the musical celebration at at the Restoration of Life Ministries International on Sunday, January 10, 2016. Dr. King’s birthday is a federal holiday celebrated next Monday, January 18. Photo by Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette
Unity in the City Musical. Photo by Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette
Unity in the City Musical. Photo by Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette