Annual memorial service at St. Mark’s
Despite bitter cold temperatures and a coating of ice over everything, a ‘Celebration and Commemoration’ service of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was held at St. Mark’s Baptist Church on Monday; about 20 people, including several local clergy, attended. The annual memorial march down Main St., however, was cancelled due to the inclement weather. It’s the first time in 30 years that it’s been cancelled, organizer Barbara Joyce Clayborne said.
But, the overwhelming sentiment of gratitude toward the late Dr. King was alive and well at St. Mark’s.
“He was a great man who caused a lot of goodness to come to a lot of people,” Clayborne said as she spoke briefly at the church service. “God chose him, just like God chose me to start our annual march in Highland Falls.”
She thanked all who attended the service, and said the nation “has come a long way since Dr. King, but still has a long way to go”.
“He was a great man who caused a lot of goodness to come to a lot of people.”
Barbara Joyce Clayborne
Pastor Leita Singleton from St. John AME Zion Church served as the master of ceremony at the service. Sitting with her on the alter were St. Mark’s Rev. Christopher Scott and Rev. Virginia Scott, and the Church of the Holy Innocents’ Rev. Judy Ferguson. Other clergy who had been scheduled to participate included Rev. Morzette Haywood from St. Mark’s, Pastor David Haughton from the Church of God of Prophecy, Rev. Karina Feliz from the Hudson Highlands United Methodist Church.
There were also some local elected representatives of the community there.
Mayor Joe D’Onofrio praised St. Marks and Mrs. Clayborne for their remembrances of Dr. King each year, saying he remembers the day 30 years ago when the Claybornes approached him about starting a march on Martin Luther King Day. He also praised young Nevaeh Jackson, who sang a solo at the service, for her willingness to share her “God-given talent” with the community.
“I know if the march had been held you would have been there, singing We Shall Overcome with everyone else,” he said to her. “Like Dr. King, it takes courage to do that … walk down a street singing about your beliefs.”
D’Onofrio reminded all that the annual day to honor Dr. King has become a “day on, not a day off” and said he hopes more will start doing that.
“I know, as a mayor, that I have to do more,” he said. “All politicians do.”
Also from the Village Board, Trustee Brian Aylward spoke, gesturing to some of the members of the audience at the service and calling them heroes. He spoke fondly of the late Rev. Dr. Moses Carter from St. John AME Zion Church, who died this past fall, and of the stories that Rev. Carter had to tell.
“We need to hear more of these stories — and to write them down,” Aylward said, “so they are never forgotten.”
Orange County Legislator Laurie Tautel also spoke, holding a picture of Dr. King as she did.
“In the Catholic religion we learn of lots of saints,” she said, specifically to some of the older people in the room. “But we seldom get to see them walk among us. You did.”
She called Dr. King “a hero, legend and inspiration” and used the same phrase to refer to some of the ladies sitting in the audience — Mrs. Clayborne, Mrs. Matthews, both Mrs. Laniers and Mrs. King.
“You inspired me as I grew up,” she said. “You shared your dignity, your grace and your love with all of us kids as we grew up.”
Tautel also spoke of how often she looks to quotes by Dr. King as she moves forward in her life of public service.
There were anthems, readings, recognitions and remarks and a sermonette by Pastor Scott at the service.
