NAACP MLK service to focus on hope

Hope in the time of pandemic is the theme of the Martin Luther King Day virtual service on Jan. 18.

POTTSTOWN » Hope in the time of pandemic is the theme of the Martin Luther King Day service on Monday, Jan. 18, sponsored by the Pottstown NAACP’s Religious Affairs Committee.

The virtual event will be streamed on Facebook at 7:30 p.m.

Three pastors, several choirs, a vocalist and others will bring that message to the service.

“We are trying to imagine what Dr. King would say in the situation of a pandemic,” said the Rev. Garrison Lockley, pastor of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church and chairman of the Religious Affairs Committee. “This is a pandemic where there is physical sickness in the world. It is a pandemic of systemic racism and social unrest. It is a pandemic that is leading to an economic crisis. What would Dr. King tell us?”

In such a time, “it is important for us to come together,” Lockley said. “It’s an opportunity. We need to come together and support one another and bring hope to one another in various ways.”

Bringing their own takes on the theme will be Bishop Everett Debnam of Invictus Ministries, Pastor Terrence Paul of Fresh Start Ministries International and Pastor William H. Ball III of Mt. Olive Baptist Church.

“Each of them, in his own way, is going to bring hope to people in the midst of this pandemic,” Lockley said.

Bishop Debnam said he intended to talk about “light in this dark era.”

“We were not designed to live in darkness. But we hope that the light is there. We have to continue to live until we see the light,” he said. “The light is warmth. It is comfort. The light brings security. And I want to give hope to people that this darkness is temporary.”

Also speaking will be Pottstown NAACP president Johnny Corson, Pottstown Mayor Stephanie Henrick and U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean, a Democrat who represents Pennsylvania’s 4th Congressional District. The Montgomery County Community Christian Club also will share their message of hope.

There will be plenty of good music. Denia Shanelle, a vocalist who performs worship music, will sing, as will the Bethel AME Church Youth Choir and the Lincoln University Concert Choir.

The event is live, but portions are being pre-recorded. It will be streamed on the Facebook page of the Kingdom Life Church: www. facebook.com/klcnow/

It is expected to last about 90 minutes and will be appropriate for viewers of all ages.

In connection with the event, the Religious Affairs Committee is collecting donations to help Pottstown families in financial difficulty. A donation page is at www.eventbrite. com. Search for Pottstown NAACP Martin Luther King Event.