Welcoming the more than 200 attendees who participated in a night of tribute for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. were (from left) Sonya Duncan, minister from St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, Columbia; the Rev. Lillie B. McMullen of Bethel A.M.E. Church, Marietta; the Rev. Dawn Harmon of A New Beginning Bible Fellowship, Columbia; and Pastor Patricia S. McAllister of Mount Zion A.M.E. Church, Columbia. (SOURCE: The Merchandiser)

“By Patricia Anne Cahill

“Seven years ago, three pastors of different churches in Columbia planned a meeting in hopes of organizing a night of celebration to commemorate the life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

“Now, the group has grown to include the pastors of 20 churches from Columbia and the surrounding area and hundreds of participants who come from as far as Leola and Harrisburg to pay tribute to King’s memory.

“The evening of Jan. 14, over 200 people arrived at Mount Zion A.M.E. Church. The participants mirrored the diversity sought by the original organizers of the event. Young and old, black and white, male and female showed up to join hands in solidarity and song, prayer and praise.

“The Rev. Dawn Harmon, pastor of A New Beginning Bible Fellowship Church in Columbia, is the newest clergy to join the Columbia Ministerium of area pastors. She had nothing but praise for the ceremony and participants. “This night is a tremendous opportunity for healing, not just in our community, but the world. It crosses all denominations, lives, and racial diversity,” Harmon stated.

“One reflection read from the sanctuary described King as a drum major for justice, a man who embraced and concentrated on those who lived marginal lives, as well as the disenfranchised and the forgotten masses.

“Pastor Mark Kopp of St. James Lutheran Church in Columbia is another member of the Columbia Ministerium. “If we could somehow manage to bring this joy and fellowship outside of these walls and into our everyday lives, then we would know we have succeeded in carrying on Dr. King’s message of diversity and love,” he said.

“The Rev. J. Patrick Peters, pastor of St. Paul Episcopal Church, initiated the first meeting. Peters noted that ‘Columbia played an active role in the maintenance of the historic Underground Railroad’ and detailed how the people of Columbia showed further courage by stopping the Confederate Army from crossing the Susquehanna River. Rather than give access to the Confederate Army, they burned the bridge to the ground, giving the Columbia community a unique place in history that should be remembered, honored and celebrated.

“Attendee Barbara Perry of Leola commented, ‘I was especially moved by the choir and way they got the congregation involved. They inspired the members of the congregation to … “

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