Martin Luther King Jr. Honored by Interfaith Leaders

Port Chester, Rye Brook and Rye have a longstanding community commemoration to celebrate the legacy of Dr. King which takes on new meaning following a year of racial turmoil and unrest. In the wake of controversy in Ferguson Missouri, Staten Island and throughout the country, this gathering is especially dear to many community leaders. This is also the first year that a committee has been formed consisting of Interfaith leaders, school officials, the local NAACP chapter and other community leaders.

There will be songs by the choir from Girtman Memorial Church and local school choruses. Music will also be provided by St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.

Congregation Kneses Tifereth Israel (KTI) is hosting this year. In previous years it has been at the local school or churches. This year it is Sunday January 11th at 6pm. The Synagogue is located at 575 King Street in Port Chester.

Many of the particpants have gathered to remember Dr. King for many years. Some participants are new. They include. All Souls Parish Presbyterian Church, Bethel Sounds of Praise, Bethesda Baptist, Christ Episcopal Church, Girtman Memorial, Holy Rosary Roman Catholic, Mount Zion Baptist, Rye Presbyterian, St. Frances AME Zion, St. Paul’s Lutheran, St. Peter’s Episcopal, Port Chester Chapter of the NAACP, the Port Chester School District and KTI.

Photo: Back; Dr. Edward Kliszuz, Bishop Robert Girtman, Rev. Bruce Baker, Rev. Hilario Albert, Rev. Stephen Holton, Daniel J. Taylor. Front: Rev. Gerald Washington, Fr. Timothy Zak, Deacon Billy Vacaro, Sr. Maruja Acusa, Rev. Helen Taylor, Rabbi Jaymee Alpert, Rev. Jim O’Hanlon.