On the morning of January 14, 2024, several hundred individuals gathered at the New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church in Grand Crossing, Chicago, to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.. This worship ceremony highlighted the crucial intersection of faith and social justice, aligning with a series of events organized by the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, a prominent civil rights organization. The ceremony featured a voter registration table, encouraging attendees to verify their registration status or sign up to vote.
The event commenced with an uplifting performance by a choir of nearly 30 members, who sang “We Shall Overcome.” Following this, Rev. Stephen Thurston II, the church’s pastor and the great-grandson of its founder, delivered a sermon aimed at motivating attendees to “pick up the baton” in the ongoing fight for justice. Thurston II remarked that the religious space should serve as a rallying point for marginalized communities, emphasizing the historical role of the Black church in social justice initiatives.
Connecting Past and Present
Rev. Thurston II connected the church’s history with Martin Luther King Jr., noting that his grandfather, John Lee Thurston, was a close friend of King and one of the few Chicago pastors to welcome him into his church. He invited his aunt, Constance Thurston Buckner, to share her experiences growing up alongside King’s children. Buckner emphasized the enduring strength and conviction that King embodied, stating, “If I had one truth that everyone should understand, it’s that the same strength, conviction and the faith in God Dr. King had that sustained him will also sustain us.”
Throughout his sermon, Rev. Thurston II drew inspiration from the Memphis sanitation workers’ strike, where over 1,000 workers protested after two of their colleagues were tragically killed due to unsafe working conditions. He urged the congregation to engage in “direct action” to effect change, even in the face of adversity. His call to action resonated with attendees, who responded with applause and affirmations.
“God didn’t promise that every threat would vanish,” Thurston II remarked. “God promised that every threat would be subjected to reconfiguration.” This sentiment reinforced the idea that resilience is essential in the pursuit of justice.
Unity Across Faiths
In a gesture of inclusivity, Thurston II invited Tariq El-Amin, Imam of the Masjid Al-Taqwa mosque, to lead a prayer. Both leaders underscored the importance of unity among different faith traditions in addressing social issues. El-Amin emphasized that “there is no space where there is oppression in one space and peace in another,” highlighting the collective responsibility to confront injustice.
The ceremony also saw the presence of elected officials, including U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth and U.S. Representative Robin Kelly. Both lawmakers spoke about the critical need for active engagement in social issues today. “Please, don’t get weary,” Kelly urged the audience. “We need every voice. It’s so important.”
Deborah Williams, a long-time member of New Covenant for 49 years, found the sermon particularly relevant. She expressed concern over what she perceives as the erosion of democracy under the previous administration, yet echoed the determination to continue the fight for justice. “Sometimes I cry, but I’m not going to give up because we’ve got to step out on faith and know that we can make it,” she stated.
This ceremony not only commemorated the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. but also reinvigorated the call to action, reminding attendees of their shared responsibility in the journey toward justice and equality.
