2025 MLK Commemorative Journal

Making a difference in the communities we serve

At Valley, we don’t just talk about change; we roll up our sleeves and make it happen, because the strength of our communities is the measure of our success.

ATLANTIC HEALTH SYSTEM

is proud to sponsor the 55th Anniversary

Observance Committee

January20,2025

Iamhonoredtoparticipateinthe2025AnnualCommemorationServiceonJanuary 20, 2025, sponsored by the Martin Luther King Observance Committee, in collaborationwiththeMorrisAreaInterfaithClergyCouncilandtheAfricanAmerican ClergyAssociation

AsMayoroftheTownofMorristown,IwouldliketoextendaspecialCongratulations totheMartinLutherKingObservanceCommitteeontheir55th Anniversarycelebrating the96th BirthdayofDr.MartinLutherKing,Jr. Eachyear,wecelebratethelegacyof Dr.MartinLutherKing,Jr.andhonorhismessage.Iencourageallresidentstoactively contribute towards his mission to educate, inspire and motivate people of all races, religions,ethnicities,socialandeconomicclasses,politicalaffiliations,agesandgenders.

This celebration of faith, endurance, and commitment is an inspiration within our community

Once again, Congratulations to the Martin Luther King Observance Committee on their 55th Anniversary and I look forward to participating in the January 20, 2025 observancesandcelebrations.

TimothyP.Dougherty Mayor

Michael Babyak Jr. II

David Vollmer, CFA President Chief Operating Officer

Matthew LeFevre, CFP®

Bruce Jones, CLU, ChFC® Operations Manager Estate & Insurance Specialist

Marc Abramson

Ethan Kraft, CPFA, C(k)P Wealth Advisor Director of Retirement Plans

Miguel Dajer, CFP®

Marc Abramson Operations Coordinator Wealth Advisor

Guillermo Aguilar, CFA

David Gorman Research Analyst Wealth Advisor

Socrates Leotsakos, CFP®

Richard Hugg Financial Planner Trust Coordinator

Carolina Corona

Gina Mencl Client Service Specialist Administration

LaurieAnn LeComte

Fred Hockenjos, AAI,LUTCF Office Manager Risk Management‐Benefit Specialist

Powerful Legacy.

We’re pleased to support MLK Observance Day honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his dedication to equal rights for all people.

Educational Presentation

Sunday, February 9 12pm-1pm

Morristown United Methodist Church, 50 South Park Place, Morristown, NJ

Black, White, and Yellow Taxis: Morris County and The Green Book presented by

Janet Foster

The first edition of the “Negro Motorist Green Book” came out in 1936, published by a New Jersey postal carrier as a way to guide African-Americans to welcoming businesses during their travels across the country. Although the guide is popularly thought of today as being used in the Jim Crow South, it covered the entire country. During its 30 years of annual publication, The Green Book listed some 581 individual businesses in 31 different New Jersey towns. In Morris County, Madison had three listings, Morristown had two, and research into what those businesses were and who operated them illuminates a whole chapter of mid20th century history.

Janet W Foster has been working on the New Jersey Green Book project for over two years, with a team of scholars from around the state, to identify all the sites listed in the Green Book in order to recover their histories.

Janet Foster has turned hours upon hours of research into Green Book sites in New Jersey into an informative illustrated talk about those sites with a focus on the operators of a Green Book site in Madison and sites in Morristown I highly recommend Janet's program and hope more people will hear it so they may learn about a part of Morris County and New Jersey's past that will likely be surprising to many and enlightening for all.

James

Lewis, Department Head

The Caroline Rose Foster North Jersey History & Genealogy Center

a collaborative educational event presented by the churches on the Morristown Green Morristown United Methodist Church

County college of Morris

THE COMMUNITY’S COLLEGE

Partnering and serving to build a stronger future for our community.

CCM encourages you to GO BIG through serving and supporting your community.

Pastor: Rev. Msgr. John E. Hart

On this day commemorating the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr, take a moment to read the excerpt below from “Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love. In this Pastoral Letter, the Catholic bishops of the United States invite conversion of hearts, minds, and institutions in order to address the evil of racism that still exists in our communities. Let it challenge us to ask whether we are really proclaiming with our lives that, “Through his Cross and Resurrection, Christ united the one human race to the Father.”

“The injustice and harm racism causes are an attack on human life. The Church in the United States has spoken out consistently and forcefully against abortion, assisted suicide, euthanasia, the death penalty, and other forms of violence that threaten human life. It is not a secret that these attacks on human life have severely affected people of color, who are disproportionally affected by poverty, targeted for abortion, have less access to healthcare, have the greatest numbers on death row, and are most likely to feel pressure to end their lives when facing serious illness. As bishops, we unequivocally state that racism is a life issue. Accordingly, we will not cease to speak forcefully against and work toward ending racism. Racism directly places brother and sister against each other, violating the dignity inherent in each person. The Apostle James commands the Christian: “show no partiality as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ” (Jas 2:1).”

Congratulationson55Yearsand countingofHonoringDr.King!

Lift Every Voice and Sing

Written by James Weldon Johnson

Lift every voice and sing Till earth and heaven ring, Ring with the harmonies of Liberty; Let our rejoicing rise

High as the listening skies, Let it resound loud as the rolling sea. Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us, Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us,

Facing the rising sun of our new day begun

Let us march on till victory is won.

Stony the road we trod, Bitter the chastening rod, Felt in the days when hope unborn had died; Yet with a steady beat, Have not our weary feet

Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?

We have come over a way that with tears has been watered, We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered, Out from the gloomy past, Till now we stand at last Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.

God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, Thou who has brought us thus far on the way; Thou who has by Thy might Led us into the light, Keep us forever in the path, we pray.

Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee, Lest, our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee; Shadowed beneath Thy hand, May we forever stand.

True to our God, True to our native land.

Martin Luther King Observance Committee Keynote Speaker

Rev. Dr. Sidney S. Williams, Jr.

Rev. Dr. Sidney S. Williams, Jr. is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with strong Southern roots in North Carolina and Louisiana. He was raised in the Pentecostal tradition and preached his first sermon at the age 15 but was not ready to yield to the Call. He recognized by his colleagues as a passionate, insightful and connected leader who readily provides organizations with actionable frameworks that monetize their mission and leverage their core competencies. Most recently, the Wesleyan Impact Partners bestowed upon him the Tom Locke Innovative Leader Award.

Dr. Williams currently serves as an independent director for a publicly traded bank (NASDAQ: VLY) as well as advises non-profit organizations, privately held middle-market companies and start-up ventures primarily in the technology sector. His board expertise includes corporate social responsibility (ESG), audit and investments.While employed on Wall Street, he advised c-suite level executives of Fortune 500 companies in a variety of industries. He is a highly sought-after speaker for a diverse array of audiences.

On November 11, 2010, Dr. Williams received his first pastoral appointment in the United States as the 51st pastor of the Bethel Church in Morristown, New Jersey. Shortly after his arrival, he worked with his wife to organize a multi-cultural team of grassroots leaders and local elected officials to address issues of homelessness, food insecurity, maternal health, recovery and education. This was a proactive effort to amplify the voices of the marginalized and now involves more than 2,000 volunteers and several interns from area colleges and universities. Dr. Williams is also working to equip faith leaders of smaller congregations and HBCUs across the United States to replicate his framework (F.I.S.H.) for increased social impact in their communities. Dr. Williams has equipped pastors and church planters on three continents as well as pastored two churches in Cape Town, South Africa.

Dr. Williams is a professor at Drew Theological School and his scholarship is focused primarily on an interdisciplinary approach to storytelling, bridging social capital and place-based investing. When confronted with the unexpected, he imagines new possibilities and inspires teams to pursue the difference that makes the most difference. He has published dozens of articles and two booksMorning Meditations: 100 Days to Believing You’re Successful and Fishing Differently: Ministry Formation in the Marketplace.

Pastor Williams is the proud husband of Teresa Williams, and a devoted father to his precious daughters, Nicole (24), Sarah (22), Hannah Rose (19) and his only son, Sidney III (Wil) (17).

70 Maple Ave., Morristown, NJ 07960 | 973•538•0555

stpetersmorristown.org

A group of guys looking to make an impact in the community. We’re here to discuss life and grow our brotherly bonds. If you want a beneficial way to spend your Wednesdays learning about our life with Christ, come join us at the St. Peter’s Men’s Ministry.”

Contact Alex Taormina: alex.taormina@gmail.com

CHORISTER PROGRAM ahammond @stpetersmorristown.net.

Faith in Action touches the lives of neighbors of all ages and circumstances with direct service. We seek to positively impact the local and wider community with acts of kindness and financial generosity. Join us to make a difference. faithinaction@stpetersmorristown.org Meditation is an ancient spiritual practice that’s easy to do and provides multiple benefits for our wellbeing. Come practice with us!

Contact Joe Brennan: joebrennan9415@gmail.com

55th KING DAY

January 20, 2025

The Morris County Chamber of Commerce is proud to support the Martin Luther King Observance Committee and its vision of a world where Dr. King's dream of a “Beloved Community” becomes a reality and its scholarship program for students who embrace the ideals of Dr. Martin Luther King as they pursue their educational aspirations.

The Morris County Chamber is more than just a business network; it's a thriving community of professionals invested in each other's success! All businesses are welcome and you don't need to be based in Morris County to belong.

Contact Kevin Murphy at kmurphy@morrischamber.org to learn more.

"LIFE'S MOST PERSISTENT AND URGENT QUESTION IS, 'WHAT ARE YOU DOING FOR OTHERS?'"

-MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

The Tatum Family and Carolina Blue Painting recognize and congratulate the Martin Luther King Jr Observance Committee on 55 years of service!

CongratulationstotheMar ObservanceCommitteeon

Celebrating"TheDream’sEternalVis Love,andJustice" atributetothelif

Dr.MartinLutherKing,Jr.Thismiles ourcollectivecommitmenttofosterin wheretheseidealsarenotjustenvisio Dr.Kingoncesaid,"Ihavedecidedtos Hateistoogreataburdentobear.Let satisfyourthirstforfreedombydrink cupofbitternessandhatred."Asweho memory,letuscontinuetobeinspired andworktowardafuturefilledwithe andjusticeforall.

-MorrisCountyChapterJudy-AnnHargrove,ChapterPresiden

Wiley Malehorn Sirota & Raynes proudly supports the Martin Luther King Observance Committee.

50 years of experience solving the business and litigation issues of our community members.

250 Madison Avenue • Morristown, New Jersey 07960 T (973) 539-1313 • F (973) 539-0572 www.wmsrlaw.com

Joylyn Espeut & Family join the Martin Luther King Observance Committee in honoring the work and life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as we continue to build “The Beloved Community”

On their day of celebration

The Junior Matrons of Morristown, Inc. Congratulates

The Martin Luther King Observance Committee On their day of celebration

Congratulations to the Martin Luther King Observance Committee on your 55th Annual Celebration of the life and legacy of Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. from Dr. Heather Hollowell Davis Dr. Michael Davis

Why We Celebrate This Day...

On this Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, we will again experience what has become an American tradition, the annual observance of our National Holiday honoring the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. The Morris County community has celebrated the birth of this great American for more than fifty years. The people of our community, young and old, rich and poor, of all religious persuasions, and of all political affiliations have recognized and acknowledged the invaluable contributions Dr. King has made to all of our lives. His death was a most awesome tragedy, and it still evokes painful emotions of the hate that filled the hearts of many Americans and the oppression it thrusts upon a people because of the color of their skin.

And yet, out of the despair and frustration of that dark day, out of the pit of bigotry and racial turmoil that imprisoned the American spirit, out of the clinging fog of strife and tension that enshrouded the American ideals of opportunity and liberty of all, the voice of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was one crying in the wilderness of national dysfunction to plant the seeds of hope in our consciousness that someday the tide would turn towards love and justice.

This is a day like no other, for we have come to a critical juncture in our history when the country now can fully understand the purpose and meaning of the non-violent struggles led by Dr. King in the life he sacrificed for the cause of all people. We can observe now in hindsight that he served as the bridge between the horrors of the American past and the possibilities for the American future. Despite the setbacks and animosity generated by the quest he spearheaded for the dignity of every person dwelling in the beloved community, we can see the foundation he laid. Along with the legion of supporters who marched with him, has opened a new dialogue, a new vision, and a new reconciliation of the forces that have sought to divide us over the past few centuries.

On this special day of observance of Dr. King’s birthday, we not only salute the life of this cherished prophetic voice, but we can also celebrate the fruits of the collective struggles of Dr. King and millions of Americans who yet carry on a legacy that promises to help realize advancements that many thought would never come in their lifetimes. As we assemble here in Morristown, New Jersey today, all of us can congratulate each other on what we have gone through; but we also need to acknowledge that although the “promised land” may appear to be within sight, it is not yet under our feet. There are many challenges that remain for us to confront.

More than ever, there is a need to refresh ourselves with the lessons learned over the last few decades and to dedicate ourselves anew to the principles espoused by Dr. King: compassion, love for peace, commitment to reconciliation, and belief in the dignity and worth of all people. For veterans of the struggle, this should be a time of renewal and recommitment. For those who are new to the struggle, this can be a time of education and dedication to the ongoing pursuit of justice and equality.

In our changing world, events should remind us that we are far from attaining our goal of a stable world at peace with opportunity for all. With the rise of the global pandemic, the damaging impact of global warming, the steady increase of sectarian violence, the jolting dislocation of economies across the world, and the accelerating rate of population diversity in every sphere of human activity, intolerance and prejudice are perennially showing their ugly heads in world affairs.

With the rise in tensions and intensification of hatred between tribal, national, and regional factions, today is a time that we need to embrace the moral imperatives of the civil rights movement to reconcile the differences that continue to divide us. This is particularly true in our attitudes about Muslims, where the world has begun to vilify and demonize an entire religion because of the violence perpetrated by a handful of extremists.

It is high time that we look beyond the provincialism that has led us to fan the flames of hatred. Like Dr. King, our message should be love. Our weapon must be truth. Our method should be creative nonviolence. This is a special time to inject new life into our vision of the Beloved Community--a community of justice, peace, and brotherhood. As we celebrate the birthday of Dr. King, we celebrate also the “Strength of the Dream: Moving Forward with Hope”: Hope for Peace!; Hope for Justice!; Hope for a Brighter Tomorrow for ourselves and our posterity!; Hope for the Resources and the Will to address the issues that still beset us as a nation and as a world community. Let us all be dedicated to building a dream that will never die. This is why we celebrate this day!

Martin Luther King Observance Committee

Acknowledges and Thanks our 2025 Program Sponsors