THE REVEREND DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. 2008 CELEBRATION

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Since the assignation of The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1968, Antioch Baptist Church has spearheaded commemorative events in Northern Westchester to honor Dr. King. Our commitment is to emphasize the importance of the life and accomplishments of Dr. King and continue his legacy of working for social justice, equal education, and true compassion. The events include a memorial banquet, an interfaith worship service and an educational seminar.

2009 The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
Theme: “Peace: the Presence of Justice”

31st Memorial Scholarship BanquetFriday, January 9, 2009 • 7 p.m.
The Renaissance Westchester Hotel
80 West Red Oak Lane, White Plains, NY 10604
Keynote Address: Dr. Traci C. West, Professor of Ethics and African American Studies
Drew Theological School, Madison, NJ
Admission: $75.00

39th Memorial Worship Service Sunday, January 18th, 2009 - 4:00 p.m.
Antioch Baptist Church, 3 Church Street • Bedford Hills, NY 10507

24th Educational SeminarMonday, January 19th, 2009 • 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church of Katonah
31 Bedford Road • Katonah, NY 10536
8:00 a.m. Registration • Coffee Hour

The 39th Annual Chancel Choir Concert on November 1st, 2008 was a great success.

With a vision of revitalization and a strengthened commitment with particular emphasis on our youth, Pastor Briggs announced a capital campaign to expand and modernize our facilities.  The “Upward and Onward In Christ Campaign” has been blessed since its announcement in September, 2005.  The congregation embraced the vision and through pledges from the membership, grants and other donations, we were able to break ground on Sunday, August 10.  The groundbreaking ceremony was well attended by Antioch membership, town leaders, the contractor and even our architect, including his family and father, made this a memorable occasion.  The combined reflections of our guests and Pastor Briggs recapped the important role Antioch has played in this community and set the tone for our upcoming 114th Anniversary celebrations.

Renovation of the property adjacent to the main church building will yield a youth activity room, five additional classrooms and church office and Pastor’s office/conference room.  Improvements to the current Fellowship Hall will include enlarging and refurbishing the lounge, music office, and provide two conference rooms and a multipurpose room.  The nursery which operates during the Sunday worship hour will also have a permanent location and will be outfitted with children’s furniture, books, toys and games to stimulate interest and development.

Throughout each phase of this project, we have been strengthened and encouraged by God’s faithfulness, grace and mercy.  The congregation has been encouraged, by a sermon from a guest preacher, Reverend Bob Flanagan (St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church), to be steadfast in spite of the “dusty days to follow.  For when the dust settles, the glory of God will be revealed.”  During this time of construction, we solicit your prayers as we continue to move Upward and Onward In Christ.

The Antioch Baptist Church is a cornerstone of the Bedford community. Its rich legacy dates back more than 120 years to the 1880's, when several African American families living in the Bedford Center area began meeting in their homes for worship service. The church moved to its current home in Bedford Hills, New York in 1976. Today, Antioch is a racially and geographically diverse congregation with a membership of 140 families.

Antioch has long been a unifying presence in the Bedford Hills community. Its contributions to the community include leadership of several Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. annual events, leadership of Unity Made Visible (Jewish, Christian and Muslim interfaith fellowship) and numerous programs serving the elderly, youth, homeless and prison populations. Indeed, Antioch's existing space is inadequate due to this expansion of church and community programs.

Antioch and St. Matthew's have long enjoyed a positive relationship of great warmth and mutuality. Both churches shared a desire to further strengthen their friendship, and agreed to join forces and work together to raise funds from the wider Bedford business and civic community. This combined effort on behalf of Antioch's future is a bright new chapter in "our shared story".

We hope you will enjoy this evening of celebration. Our whole community will share in the blessings, not only of the expanded Antioch space, but also of the deeper bonds of fellowship that this effort has brought forth.

Rev. Dr. Paul S. Briggs, Antioch Baptist Church
Rev. Terence L. Elsberry, St. Matthew's Episcopal Church

The United Nations passed a resolution in 1981 declaring an International Day of Peace to coincide with the opening of its General Assembly each year. In 2001 a new resolution declared 21 September of each year as the International Day of Peace. The resolution: "Declares that the International Day of Peace shall henceforth be observed as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence, an invitation to all nations and people to honor a cessation of hostilities for the duration of the Day . . . Invites all Member States, organizations of the United Nations system, and non-governmental organizations and individuals to commemorate, in an appropriate manner, the International Day of Peace, including through education and public awareness, and to cooperate with the United Nations in the establishment of the global ceasefire.

In this event, the "Peace Bell" is rang at UN Headquarters. The bell is cast from coins donated by children on all continents, and considered a symbol of global solidarity. It was given as a gift by Japan, and is referred to as "a reminder of the human cost of war." The inscription on its side reads: "Long live absolute world peace." Observance of the annual International Day of Peace is widespread across the globe. Celebrations now take place in every country.

History
2005: In 2005, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan called for the worldwide observance of a 24-hour cease-fire and day of nonviolence to mark the Day.

2006: In 2006, then Secretary-General Kofi Annan rang the Peace Bell for the last time during his term in office. That year the UN asserted the "many ways it works for peace and to encourage individuals, groups and communities around the world to contemplate and communicate thoughts and activities on how to achieve peace. The United Kingdom held the primary public and official observation of the United Nations International Day of Peace and Non-Violence in Rochdale, Greater Manchester."

2007: In 2007, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon rang the Peace Bell at United Nations Headquarters in New York calling for a 24-hour cessation of hostilities on 21 September, and for a minute of silence to be observed around the world at 12 noon. In 2007, for example, the UN Security Council deployed a record number of peacekeepers to 19 peace operations around the world. More than 100,000 blue berets and civilian staff are serving in the field to build and keep peace. Late in September 2007, the Secretary-General convened four high-level meetings at UN Headquarters to unite world leaders and those from conflict areas to address some of the most serious challenges today in peace and security – the situation in Afghanistan, Darfur, Iraq and the Middle East.

2008: This year, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will ring the Peace Bell at United Nations Headquarters in New York in the company of the UN Messengers of Peace. He has called for a 24-hour cessation of hostilities on 21 September, and for a minute of silence to be observed around the world at noon local time. In his statement issued to commemorate this year’s Day of Peace, Secretary-General Ban said that “Peace is the United Nations’ highest calling.” “It defines our mission. It drives our discourse. And it draws together all of our world wide work, from peacekeeping and preventive diplomacy to promoting human rights and development.”

Antioch Baptist Church will plant a Peace Pole on its 114th Year Anniversary which falls on the same day of the International Day of Peace. Antioch Baptist Church supports Unity Made Visible (UMV) a cooperation circle of United Religious Initiative (URI). “The purpose of the URI is to promote enduring daily interfaith cooperation, to end religiously motivated violence, and to create cultures of peace, Justice and healing for the Earth and all living beings.” Let There Be Peace on Earth and Let it Begin With Us.