NEWS PROVIDED BY
Allentown United Methodist Church
Jan. 15, 2020

TRENTON, N.J., Jan. 15, 2020 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Greater Allentown Ministerial Association to host the Allentown Community Martin Luther King Service on Sunday, January 19, 2020, at 2:30 PM at Allentown United Methodist Church, 23 Church Street, Allentown, New Jersey 08501.

The keynote speaker is Rev. Dr. Jessica Davis, the senior pastor of Allentown United Methodist Church in Allentown, New Jersey. Dr. Davis is the first cross-racial appointment to Allentown United Methodist Church as the first African American Pastor of Allentown UMC in its over 200-year history. Prior to serving Allentown UMC, she served as the first female pastor of the historic St. Paul United Methodist Church in Mt. Holly, New Jersey. Dr. Davis will be sharing from her published speech, "Shofar of Justice." The following is an excerpt:

"We have gathered here today to remember and celebrate the life of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and to keep his American voice alive. First, I want to take this opportunity to remind each of you to never forget the fifteen-year struggle behind the creation of the United States federal holiday, 'Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.'

"In 1968, Michigan Congressman John Conyers introduced legislation for a commemorative holiday four days after King's assassination on April 4th on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. The bill stalled in 1968, and in response, six million Americans signed petitions to endorse the holiday. Then, New York Representative Shirley Chisholm joined Congressman Conyers and resubmitted the legislation. They submitted this legislation session after session until 1983. Congress finally passed the holiday legislation and the late President Ronald Reagan signed it into law in 1983.

"Let us never forget the struggle or we indeed will be destined to repeat it."

The Greater Allentown Ministerial Association is composed of clergy from the different churches of Allentown and the surrounding areas who meet to plan worship services for the community and discuss matters of common concern for the churches and community.

SOURCE: Allentown United Methodist Church

CONTACT: Dr. Jessica Davis, Senior Pastor, 609-259-7392, drjessicadavis@gmail.com

Related Links

http://www.allentownumcnj.org