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Love Your Neighbor: The Upper School Celebrates MLK Day
Dr. King, in one of his sermons on love stated, “We have the Christian and moral responsibility to seek to discover the meaning of these words, and to discover how we can live out this command, and why we should live by this command.” Upper School CCES students demonstrated none other than the power of love in a special assembly today honoring Dr. King just one day after what would have been his 91st birthday. Just imagine what he could have accomplished if he had been given 52 more years.
The student-led assembly opened with a prayer for the human family by Porter Brown ’20, followed by an emotion-evoking song performed by the Upper School Choir. “MLK,” the tenth and final song from U2's 1984 album, is a lullaby honoring Dr. King. “Sleep, sleep tonight. And may your dreams be realized,” sang soloist Sofia Ossmann ’21.
Students then offered their voices to a slideshow that compiled historical imagery of the phenomenal Civil Rights activist and visionary, intermingled with CCES imagery of students, faculty, and staff demonstrating love for one another. Their sermons were a commanding message and the powerful photography worth more than a thousand words.
“Love has within it a redemptive power. And there is a power there that eventually transforms individuals. So,” said C.J. Farr ’20, “what would happen if we at Christ Church Episcopal School began to dream and act on becoming the beloved community? Join us now as we listen to Voices at CCES.” The student videos that followed lend confirmation that we will never forget Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s words and actions, and remind us that although the holiday is just one day— and Black History Month is just one month— Dr. King’s message of equality and justice are embedded in us all year round.
A very brave panel of students then ended the assembly by fielding questions from their peers on community, what it means to love your neighbor, and how we at CCES, continue to grow as a community.
A meaningful day indeed, one that Dr. King would approve and be proud of.
Special thanks to Melanie Gordon, CCES Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator, the CCES Upper School Choir, Ayana Richburg, Porter Brown, Marissa Powe, Jack Sanford, C.J. Farr, Paulina Pernitsch, Dasia Yearby, Sam Perry, London Sales, Mason Johnstone, Abigail Pickens, Mr. Amarante, Father Wallace, Caroline Glazebrook, Dr. Garner, and all the students who offered their voices to the video, and the Perfoming Arts Center Team.
Their collaborative efforts made the celebration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. a special moment at CCES.
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