The Gloucester Union Relief Association of Missionary Baptist held “A Day of Celebration” in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, Jan. 20, at the First United Baptist Church, Gloucester, which focused on “Celebrating God, Dr. King and the Struggle.”

The Rev. Dr. Anderson Clary Jr., the celebration preacher for the evening, was introduced by his wife Leann Clary. He is a retired pastor of Queen Street Baptist Church in Hampton. 

Clary spoke about how the celebration of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is about “celebrating the birth, the life, and the transition of one who has certainly made his mark in the struggle for human decency.”

The GURA choir led the crowd in multiple selections throughout the evening including “We Shall Overcome” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

The Rev. Randolph Graham, pastor of First United, provided the call to worship. Brenda Davis gave a GURA youth presentation, where youth members of GURA Monica Childs and Veronica Childs spoke about King’s life and legacy. Childs also provided a scripture reading.

A statement of purpose was read by pastor of First Morning Star Baptist Church and program chairperson, the Rev. Larry Arrington, where the statement of purpose was about “pouring into our youth” and preparing the next generation.

Jaidyn Forrest was the emerging youth adult for the evening. Forrest is a third-year student at Christopher Newport University where she is majoring political science with a double minor in Leadership Studies and Middle Eastern North African Studies. She is a 2022 Gloucester High School graduate.

Forrest said that her academic journey both academically and professionally has allowed her to dive more into her passion for social justice. It was through that lens that she reflected on the life and legacy of King.

Graham also provided some closing remarks to conclude the program.