Every January, our church celebrates the ministries of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Rt. Rev. Quintin E. Primo, Jr.
We join people all over the nation and in other parts of the world in remembering the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., his struggle to end racial discrimination and segregation of Black Americans, and his witness for peace and justice among all people and nations.
He lived to receive the Nobel Peace prize, a sign that the world recognized in his work, the struggle for freedom for which the entire planet hungers and thirsts. In this struggle and witness, he died a martyr’s death on April 4, 1968. We gather every year, however, not merely to remember, but to affirm and renew our personal and corporate commitment to that same struggle and witness.
Also in mid-January, we gather as a congregation to remember and give special thanks for one of our own: the Rt. Rev. Quintin E. Primo, Jr. As priest and bishop, he fearlessly challenged the power structures of the Episcopal Church and worked for an end to racism and for equal access to all levels of the Church’s ministry and life.
His struggle and witness was for an inclusive Christianity and society. We gather not only to remember Bishop Primo and to give thanks for his life and witness among us, but also to affirm and renew our personal and corporate commitment to that same struggle and witness.
He died on January 15, 1998, the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Both of these servants of God had a mission: to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ. May the Holy Spirit, through our annual recognition, inspire us to do the same.
Prayers for Martin Luther King, Jr. and Quintin E. Primo, Jr.
Almighty God, by the hand of Moses your servant you led your people out of slavery, and made them free at last: Grant that your Church, following the example of your prophet Martin, may resist oppression in the name of your love, and may secure for all your children the blessed liberty of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. AMEN.
O God, by whose grace your servant Quintin, kindled with the flame of your love, became a burning and a shining light in your Church and among the people whom he served: Grant that we, ignited by that same fire and following his example, may walk before you as children of light, proclaiming your love, your peace, and your justice in all creation; through Jesus Christ our Living Example and Savior. AMEN.
