Speaker announced for MLK Celebration planned for Jan. 17

By Miranda Holman, Managing Editor
Posted 1/12/22

The Mexico MLK Celebration Committee has announced Bishop Sylvester Williams, Sr. as the keynote speaker for the upcoming MLK Community Celebration on Monday, Jan. 17.

Bishop Williams, Sr. was …

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Speaker announced for MLK Celebration planned for Jan. 17

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The Mexico MLK Celebration Committee has announced Bishop Sylvester Williams, Sr. as the keynote speaker for the upcoming MLK Community Celebration on Monday, Jan. 17.

Bishop Williams, Sr. was raised in Hale County, Alabama, where his spiritual journey began pastoral leadership at Owens Chapel, Emory Chapel, Franconia, and Southside CME Churches in Alabama; Mt. Olive CME Church in Orlando, FL; and Carter Temple CME Church in Chicago, IL, after accepting the call to ministry in '81.

He attended the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, earning a B.A. degree in Healthcare Management. However, between this interval, he earned an A.A. degree in Mortuary Science from Jefferson State Jr. College in Birmingham, AL. Later, having accepted the call to ministry, he furthered his education at the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) in Atlanta, GA. He received the Master of Divinity degree in 1988 and the Doctor of Ministry Degree in May 2008.

On Jun. 30, 2010, Bishop Williams, Sr., was elected the 58th Bishop of the CME Church and was assigned as the leader of the Second Episcopal District. In July 2014, Bishop Williams was assigned as the Presiding Prelate of the Third Episcopal District.

For over three decades, the Mexico MLK committee has held an annual event in honor of the Civil Rights leader and to provide an opportunity for residents to think in the same direction. This year’s theme, “It Starts With Me…..Shifting Priorities to Create the Beloved Community,” is to promote working together positively for the best outcome of everyone involved and to bring awareness of the needs in the community.

The [event] has nothing to do with race, but instead doing acts of kindness and meeting the needs of the community,” said Mexico MLK coordinator Jaye Jackson. “I want to help make Mexico a place where people want to stay to raise their families."

According to Jackson, when a community comes together to meet the needs of others and understands the importance of one another, it promotes positive change and development within the community members

Although COVID concerns limited plans for activities, the event will begin with a prayer breakfast at 9:30 a.m, headed by Michael Moore of the First Presbyterian Church, followed by a march to the Audrain County Courthouse, located at 101 N. Jefferson Street in Mexico, at 11:00 a.m. Assembly for the march will meet at the Mexico United Methodist Church Parking lot, 122 E Promenade Street. The Mexico Senior High School choirs will perform selections prepared for the ceremony at the Courthouse.

In addition to the Jan. 17 events, a Girls Volleyball Tournament Fundraiser will be held on Saturday, Jan. 15, at the Gary Filbert Gym. Proceeds from the tournament will support the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship at MHS.

The public is welcome to attend.


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