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'Let us come together as a community'

| 18 Jan 2018 | 01:47
    Photos by Roger Gavan The "Voice of our children" presentations featured Isaiah Huff (pictured here) and N'darri Posey.
    Photos by Roger Gavan The "Voice of our children" presentations featured Isaiah Huff (pictured here) and N'darri Posey.
    The Rev. Ann Marie Bentsi-Addison Posey (center), pastor of the Warwick Union African Methodist Episcopal Church, led the congregation in the National Anthem, the Call to Justice and Community and the opening hymn, “Lift every voice and sing,” by James Weldon Johnson.
    The Rev. Ann Marie Bentsi-Addison Posey (center), pastor of the Warwick Union African Methodist Episcopal Church, led the congregation in the National Anthem, the Call to Justice and Community and the opening hymn, “Lift every voice and sing,” by James Weldon Johnson.
    On Monday, January 15, members of the Warwick Union African Methodist Episcopal Church (UAME) and guests from throughout the Warwick community celebrated Martin Luther King Day. A filled-to-capacity congregation that morning had gathered to honor the memory of Dr. King, the world famous civil rights leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner who was assassinated 50 years ago in April 1968.
    On Monday, January 15, members of the Warwick Union African Methodist Episcopal Church (UAME) and guests from throughout the Warwick community celebrated Martin Luther King Day. A filled-to-capacity congregation that morning had gathered to honor the memory of Dr. King, the world famous civil rights leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner who was assassinated 50 years ago in April 1968.
    “Let us come together as a community,” Sister Channabel Latham counseled.
    “Let us come together as a community,” Sister Channabel Latham counseled.
    During the service the congregation was treated to a performance by the UAME Praise Dancers.
    During the service the congregation was treated to a performance by the UAME Praise Dancers.
    Guest preacher Rev. Dr. Richard Curtis Chapple reported that Dr. King also faced opposition in the African American Community.“Whatever you do,” he said, “you will always have haters coming from every direction.”
    Guest preacher Rev. Dr. Richard Curtis Chapple reported that Dr. King also faced opposition in the African American Community.“Whatever you do,” he said, “you will always have haters coming from every direction.”
    A highlight of the annual event was a music selection by saxophonist Tony Smith.
    A highlight of the annual event was a music selection by saxophonist Tony Smith.
    The congregation was treated to a performance by the Bellvale School Children’s Choir.
    The congregation was treated to a performance by the Bellvale School Children’s Choir.
    Although Justin Kirton, speaking for the millennials, believes his parents may have been treated differently, he reported that his white classmates never treated him differently.“We must be able to have conversations with one another,” he said.
    Although Justin Kirton, speaking for the millennials, believes his parents may have been treated differently, he reported that his white classmates never treated him differently.“We must be able to have conversations with one another,” he said.
    The congregation was treated to a performance by the Hudson Valley Ebony Strings.
    The congregation was treated to a performance by the Hudson Valley Ebony Strings.

By Roger Gavan
WARWICK — On Monday, Jan. 15, members of the Warwick Union African Methodist Episcopal Church (UAME) and guests from throughout the Warwick community celebrated The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
A filled to capacity congregation that morning had gathered to honor the memory of King, the civil rights leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner who was assassinated 50 years ago in April 1968.
Celebrating with communityEarly in the service the Rev. Ann Marie Bentsi-Addison Posey, pastor of the Warwick Union African Methodist Episcopal Church, led the congregation in the National Anthem, the Call to Justice and Community and the opening hymn, "Lift every voice and sing," by James Weldon Johnson.
Sister Channabel Latham welcomed the congregation.
"Let us come together as a community," she counseled.
Among the guests invited to make a brief statement from the altar were Town of Warwick Supervisor Michael Sweeton, Mayor Michael Newhard, Judge Peter Barlet, attorney Douglas Stage and Cedric Glasper, president and CEO of Mechanical Rubber.
Other guests included Councilman Floyd De Angelo, Judge Nancy DeAngelo and members of the clergy.
Celebrating with musicDuring the service the congregation was treated to a performance by the UAME Praise Dancers, the Hudson Valley Ebony Strings, the Bellvale School Children's Choir and the First Baptist Choir.
A highlight of the annual event was a music selection by saxophonist Tony Smith.
Celebrating with wordsSeveral other speakers spoke about King as the voice of our children and the voice of the millennials.
Although Justin Kirton, speaking for the millennials, believes his parents may have been treated differently, he reported that his white classmates never treated him differently.
"We must be able," he said, "to have conversations with one another."
Guest preacher Rev. Dr. Richard Curtis Chapple, the senior pastor at Mother African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, reported that King also faced opposition in the African American Community.
"Whatever you do," he said, "you will always have haters coming from every direction."
Chapple, who has preached and taught throughout the world, was the first African American to integrate the 3.000 student body of Floyd Public School System of suburban Montgomery, Alabama.
The service ended with everyone locking arms and singing, "We shall overcome."