Two Programs Celebrate Martin Luther King This Year in McHenry County

McHenry County has doubled its public observations honoring the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. this year.  And that’s a very good thing.

First is Celebrating the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  sponsored by the McHenry County Juneteenth Organization and McHenry County College this Wednesday, January 10 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the college’s Leucht Auditorium.  The program, which will be hosted by Rev. Dr. Norval Brown, will include light refreshments followed by a screening of the documentary,  How Martin Luther King Jr. Changed the World.

After the screening, Rev. Brown will lead a brief audience interaction emphasizing the importance of continuing Dr. King’s work. When asked if he felt Dr. King’s work was still relevant today, Rev. Brown said, “His work was and still is important, for there are those in our nation and in other nations who continue to live under a rod of oppression. The fluidity of time calls for the writing of a new narrative.”

                                Rev. Dr. Norval Brown of Cary United Methodist Church.

Rev. Brown, lead pastor of the Cary United Methodist Church, is a powerful speaker who recently stirred audiences at the first McHenry County Juneteenth Festival on the historic Woodstock Square on June 17, 2023, where he offered both the invocation and benediction. 

The program will also include introductory remarks by MCC President Dr. Clint Gabbard and the Juneteenth Organization’s founder and driving force Gloria Van Hof, a member of the McHenry County Board.

The program is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is encouraged to be sure seats are available.

For more information see the Facebook event at http://tinyurl.com/32yvwunn or register to attend at http://tinyurl.com/bdf2md4h.  

Next will be Faithbridge’s 14th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast at the Holiday Inn Crystal Lake Elara Convention Center, 800 South Rte. 31, in Crystal Lake on Monday, January 15 from 7:30 to 9:00 am.

After a vegetarian breakfast, Terell Carter, Executive Director and President of Rise Community Development Corporation will be the Keynote Speaker.  What it Means to Belong will be a dynamic talk about aspects of housing, race, and gender.   Terrell began his tenure with Rise in 2021 and brought over 20 years of construction, affordable housing development, non-profit management, and community engagement experience.  He previously served as a St. Louis, Missouri as a police officer, served as vice president and chief diversity officer for a liberal arts university in southern Illinois as well as full-time professor and program director for Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Shawnee, Kansas; served as Executive Director for two St. Louis non-profits, and has been on community organization boards.

The program will also feature reflections and prayers by diverse local faith leaders, and musical salutes.  

FaithBridge is an interfaith organization of religious communities, not-for-profit corporations, and individuals in McHenry and Lake Counties promoting mutual respect and cooperation.

Tickets for the event can be purchased for $25 per adult or $15 for youth at http://tinyurl.com/5b7vpjzh.  A limited number of seats may be available for purchase the morning of the event.