By J. Michael Whalen
Times Staff
1/21/10
Clergy, town officials and other residents gathered Jan. 18 in the name of the most famous civil-rights leader in U.S. history. The town’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Service was held that evening at Temple Shalom. The theme of the event, sponsored by the Milton Interfaith Clergy Association, was “The Power of One: Taking Action in a Time of Challenge and Controversy.” The service, which included a welcome from Temple President Lynda Packer and an introduction from Rabbi Alfred Benjamin, featured music, dance and more. Benjamin, who serves as MICA president, told the Times that the Temple’s status as the event host serves as a source of great pride for its membership. “It’s an honor for the leadership of this community,” he said. “We’re proud to do it.”
Featured performers at the event included the St. Mary of the Hills School Sacred Dancers, directed by Alexia Etienne; the Milton High School Gospel Choir, led by Dr. Noreen Burdett; a community choir, led by Roseanna Fernandes; and the Rev. Peter Casey and the St. Agatha’s Puppeteers. The dancers’ performance was dedicated to the victims of the recent earthquake in Haiti.
Earlier in the evening, a film produced by Milton High School students showed interviews with classmates who spoke on the topic of race relations and how they classify themselves.
The service highlighted the talents of Milton youth who submitted essays, poetry and artwork inspired by the accomplishments of Dr. King to a contest. A display of the entries from all grade levels at both the public and parochial schools adorned the walls of the Temple’s sanctuary, and some were displayed in last week’s issue of the Times.
This year’s winners for the essay/poetry contest were Catherine Manning, Rebecca Simms and Elizabeth Mahon. All are students at Milton High School. Two winners are awarded scholarships to a six-day leadership initiative training program.
Selectmen Chairman John Shields told the audience that while an isolated hate crime took place in the town last year, Milton remains a place where hatred will not be tolerated. He read a proclamation from the Selectmen emphasizing that point and offered his own thoughts on the subject.
“I think we’ve come a long way in the almost 42 years since Dr. King was assassinated,” Shields said. “We’re a lot better off than we were 42 years ago.”
Those interviewed by the Times were all caught up in the spirit of the celebration.
Rev. George Wells, of the Church of our Saviour, said his introduction to civil rights took place because of two events: his attendance at King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech in Washington, D.C., and a meeting with King in Alabama two years later.
“It was my whole awakening,” said Wells, who later put his first child into an otherwise all-black school in the nation’s capital. “It was a wake-up call.”
Temple member Ronit Voigt, one of the volunteer cooks for the service, said she enjoys her role at the event.
“It’s wonderful to cook for the entire community of Milton,” she said. “It’s wonderful to bring everyone here together.”
Another member, Karen Friedman-Hanna, echoed similar sentiments.
“This is my favorite event that we host,” said Friedman-Hanna, who serves as the Temple’s vice president of education. “It’s about bringing the community together to celebrate someone and something that everyone can appreciate. It’s really a tremendous community event.”
Rev. Sam Rodman, of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, who noted that the service has been held for more than 15 years – including the last seven at the Temple – said the event is quite special.
“For me, it brings out the place in my own heart that wants to engage in the issues of difference,” he said. “The words of Martin Luther King Jr. help bring those issues to life.”