Unity and Service: MLK Brunch Honors the Life and Sacrifice of Dr. Martin Luther King

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By: Sherri Gragg

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The 2019 MLK Brunch celebrated the life of Dr. Martin Luther King and challenged attendees to continue his pursuit of equality for all.

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Unity and Service

Black Methodists for Church Renewal (BMCR) hosted “A Unity and Service Brunch” in honor of the life and service of Dr. Martin Luther King. The event, held at The Power Center, Houston, Texas, was attended by 382 people. This year’s theme of “Unity and Service” reflects BMCR’s new president, Mrs. Frankie Watson’s, theme for the three years she will hold the office. During her tenure, Watson will focus all BMCR’s initiatives and activities around theme of Unity and Service.

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“I am excited and feel privileged to serve as the BMCR Houston Local Caucus President, and I vow to be a leader that is open minded, open hearted and very connectional,” said Watson. “My vision is to encourage participation in the life of the TAC and effect ministry goals that are inclusive for all God’s children.”

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Featured Speaker

The featured speaker for this year’s event was the Rev. Dr. Michael Bowie, Coordinator of the South-Central Jurisdiction of Black Methodists for Church Renewal. Bowie challenged attendees to recognize the continued relevance of the BMCR in the modern church. “We must keep before the church the crucial issues facing us by initiating action and supporting church agencies which realistically deal with the needs of Black people,” Bowie said.

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Additional Speakers

Dr. Allen Goodlow, Sloan UMC, presided over the event. Opening and closing prayers were offered by the Rev. Denise Caulfield, Associate Pastor Riverside UMC. The Rev. B.T. Williamson, Assistant to the Bishop, offered greetings from the Conference and the blessing of the brunch. Additional remarks were offered by Mrs. Frankie Watson, BMCR President.

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The Phillip Hall Singers

In tribute to Dr. King, The Phillip Hall Singers performed excerpts from the musical, “Ain’t Misbehavin,” set in the Harlem Renaissance. The Phillip Hall Singers are a non-profit choral group that seeks fill the role of Houston’s “cultural ambassadors.”

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For more information on the BMCR, visit their page on the Conference website at https://www.txcumc.org/bmcr

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