HOOD RIVER — Gospel singer Cynta Butts returns to Riverside Community Church for the celebration of Martin Luther King’s birthday on Monday, Jan. 19. Butts will lead the Gorge Freedom Choir, joined by pianist Tim Mayer, with special music from Arturo Leyva.
The theme for this year’s event, “Hope is in Our Hands,” emphasizes the importance of unified action in a time of great distress and upheaval. “Justice is under attack. Many in our communities are fearful,” said Riverside pastor Rev. Vicky Stifter. “And so we gather, once again, to remember that our strength comes in our unity. We gather to lament and dream, and then turn these dreams into action. We gather because, as Rev. Dr. King reminds us, ‘we must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.’”
The event begins at 3 p.m. with a panel and audience discussion that will include members of Black in the Gorge, the Hood River Latino Network, and other community leaders. All who seek to be allies in the struggle for justice are welcome to this interactive event.
The celebration in music and word featuring Butts will begin at 5 p.m. and will offer consecutive Spanish interpretation. A dinner at 6:30 p.m. will feature jambalaya and cornbread. There is no charge for the dinner or event, though donations will be gratefully accepted.
All community members are welcome to join the Freedom Choir. Rehearsal will be in the Riverside sanctuary at 1:45 p.m. on the day of the event, Jan. 19. Contact Ann Harris for further information at harris.annj@gmail.com.
The events will take place at Riverside Community Church, 317 State St., Hood River, and are sponsored by Gorge Ecumenical Ministries. Riverside has been the location for events on King’s birthday for more than a decade.
For more information, visit the GEM web site at www.gorge-em.org.
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