Hannibal-area churches celebrate MLK’s legacy

The weather outside may have been cold and harsh, but inside the body of Holy Family Church in Hannibal, the atmosphere was one of warmth and joy as the parish, along with several other local congregations, gathered to celebrate the life, legacy, and service of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The afternoon service on Sunday, Jan. 14, began with a prayer and invocation from the Rev. Lindell Robbins, pastor of Helping Hand Baptist Church in Hannibal.

After the invocation, all in attendance joined together in singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” a hymn recognized as the Black National Anthem.

Music and dance were prevalent throughout the celebration, with many community members and groups performing selections highlighting the joys of freedom, the heart’s yearning for change, and the overwhelming trust in God exemplified by Rev. Dr. King.

Giving the keynote address of the event was Father Mike Quinn, pastor of Holy Family parish.

“When I think of the great prophets of the last century,” the priest began, “Dr. King ranks really high for me; someone who just had the pulse of millions and millions of people and who taught us, not just in word, but how he lived his life.”

He reflected often in the address on Rev. Dr. King’s message of peace through non-violence.

Fr. Quinn quoted the pastor and civil rights leader’s wife, Coretta Scott King, in saying that “God called Martin to be a fisher of men; to triumph over poverty, racism and violence.”

“I believe that Dr. King not only talked that talk,” Fr. Quinn said, “but he really walked it in every way.”

Fr. Quinn turned his address toward the theme of the day, “Giving Back.”

“He (Rev. Dr. King) knew that giving back, serving others — it’s not an option if you’re Christian.” Fr. Quinn said. “It’s not an ‘Oh, well. I think I’ll do that.’ No! A Christian who’s baptized into Jesus Christ is a Christian who must respond in giving back and in serving.”

Fr. Quinn continued reflecting on the theme when he touched on Rev. Dr. King’s famous “Drum Major” sermon, saying that the message implores people to “do something.”

“We’ve got to do something!” Fr. Quinn said. “The alternative is not there, to just not respond in any way.”

The basis of the “Drum Major” sermon, according to Fr. Quinn, was “whatever you do, do it for God and do it the best you can.”

He cited the need to serve as his main inspiration for becoming a priest.

The priest also told stories to the gathered church families about his time serving in and ministering to the children of the inner-city areas of St. Louis early in his priestly discernment.

He echoed Rev. Dr. King’s assertion that “anyone can be great because anyone can serve.”

The priest ended his remarks by listing the many ways in which the people and churches of Hannibal can band together to serve one another.

The celebration continued with people and groups from the Hannibal community performing songs and dances in honor of Rev. Dr. King and his ideals.

All in attendance were invited to share good food and fellowship in the parish’s St Michael’s Hall.

People were encouraged to carry out Rev. Dr. King’s message of service by assisting at the Loaves and Fishes soup kitchen at Park United Methodist Church the following evening.

Ten-year-old Holy Family parishioner Robert Wealer stands near a banner for the Hannibal area Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King celebration in Holy Family Church. Robert was honored with one of the Drum Major Service Awards for local residents who “go the extra mile” for the sake of others. Robert became interested in the work of the Douglass Community Services when he found out about the food bank it operates. He spearheaded a canned food drive as a Lenten project in March of 2015, hoping to collect and donate 5,000 food items. He passed that goal and also was able to make a cash donation to the food bank. In November of 2015, Robert collected 150 food items in a few days to go toward the food drive at his school. A year later, he began his second official food drive with a goal of collecting 5,500 food items for the Salvation Army food pantry. He collected more than 4,000 food items and $1,000 in cash that year. This year’s drive started in November of 2017 and wrapped up January 5, 2018. Thanks to many generous individuals, groups and businesses, he donated 5,685 food items and $1,337 to the Salvation Army.

T.C. Pierceall, a member of Holy Family parish in Hannibal, works in the creative department of the Hannibal Courier-Post newspaper.