Page 2A January 23, 2019
orter
By Diane Glklewenl you? All of us have been Birmingham church, and
news@mymcr.net blessed. You woke up this of King's death. He said
morning!" now there are monuments
Culloden held its 8th An- Sister Iris Rutherford to those who struggled and
nual Celebration of Martin Hare gave the official now there are opportuni-
Luther King Jr:s life and welcome with spiritedties for those who followed
legacy early on Monday, encouragement to celebrate them. And the reason is
Jan. 21 as temperatures Dr. King and continue the that some were willing to
plunged to their lowest dream, go a little farther.
point in a year. Inside the Keynote speaker Rev. Whatley said his mother
Fellowship Hall of St. Phil- Rufus Whafley delivered always said, "It's not how
lip A.M.E. Church, some an intense and inspiring you get here. It's what
volunteers came as early message that balancedyou do while you're here:'
as 6 a.m. to begin getting struggles with possibili- "You've got to pray it out on
ready for those attending, ties. He based his words on your knees" said Whadey.
induding putting on the Matthew 26:39, "Going a The response to Whatley's
coffee pot and sending out little farther, he fell with message was strong, from
welcoming aromas as they his face to the ground and tears to dancing. "He done
began making breakfast, prayed, 'My Father, if it is tore up my pulpit" said
Because of the frigid air, possible, may this cup be Davis. "I've got to find me
the route of the annual taken from me. Yet not as I another one:'
march was shortened. A will, but as you will?' Another highlight of the
group sang traditional Jesus is asking God to program was Brandon
songs as it walked from spare him from the death Moore of Mt. Gilead Bap-
the church to Culloden on the cross he is about to tist Church performing a
City Hall and back instead endure, but acknowledging praise dance to the theme,
of starting at the welcome that it is best for God's plan "He saw the best in me
park at the outskirts of the to be fulfilled. Whafley said when everyone else could
city and marching to the that, like Jesus, we need to only see the worst in me."
church, go a little farther. He said Dr. Margie Bryant recog-
The march began with a that Martin Luther King Jr. nized several people in the
shout of"Thank God for would also tell us that it is a community who go a little
freedom. Thank God for struggle, farther, instead of sitting
life? At city hall, Marilyn "But we look around and back and criticizing. "I
Smith, coordinator of the see the struggle was not in woke up Saturday morn-
event, spoke to the march- vain" said Whatley. ing, and God gave me these
ers briefly to remind them He said that King andnames" said Bryant.
how important it is to get those who supported him they're all here"
involved in the community went just a little farther and First was Whatley, She
and in local government as by doing so brought about said he is everywhere she
represented by Culloden changes for those whogoes, whether it's a celebra-
City Hall. came after them. He noted tion or a funeral. She com-
"It all begins here" said that significant changes mended his outstanding
Smith. "We still need some take time, "If you plant a service to the community,
changes. Keep praying, get seed todaF it's not going and said she doesn't know
active and give it a little to happen today. It needs how he does it all. "We love
more time" some care" him," said Bryant.
Rev. Michael Davis, pas- Whatley spoke of the She commended Rev.
tor of St. Phillip A.M.E dogs and water hoses Lonnie Fletcher of Orange
welcomed everyone and turned on marchers inGrove Baptist Church, who
asked, "Do you remember the 1960's, the racially is also constantly out in the
how far he hasbrought motivated bombing of the community helping anyone
Above, marchers pause at Culloden City Hall during the 8th Annual Martin Luther King
Jr. walk in Culloden. Marilyn Smith, seated center, coordinates the event. Below, pictured
are some of the people who contributed to making the Culloden Martin Luther King Jr.
Celebration a success. Left to right, Gloria White, Gwendolyn Byrd, Rev. Rufus Whatley,
Dr. Margie Bryant, Iris Rutherford Hare.
who needs him. Fletcher Gwendolyn Byrd is all ing others.
gave the opening prayer over the county helping "We want you to stay on
for the program. Bryant those who need dothing the battlefield for the Lord"
said when you call, Fletcher or food and making it un- said Bryant.
comes. "He is a true man of comfortable for those who Smith thanked everyone
God;' said Bryant. abuse children, said Bryant. who attended, especially
Next to be commended Sister Miriam Ralls makes the several pastors. In dos-
for helping others with the community better as hag, Whatley said, "Where
questions about everything she works with children are we going from here?
from insurance to Social every day. Brandon Moore I'm not going backward.
Security was Lillian Davis. is a member of the younger You'll be surprised about
"If you need help, she can generation who is already what the I ord will do:'
help you;' said Bryant. finding a purpose in help-
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