30th Annual Elyria Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Day of Service!
“Where is the Dream now:
In Chaos or Community?”
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience,
but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
January 18, 2016 at 11:00 a.m.
Elyria High School Performing Arts Center
601 Middle Avenue, Elyria, Ohio
Keynote Speaker
Pastor Gwendolyn D. Gilmore
Full Gospel Faith Fellowship Church
President of Elyria Ministerial Alliance
Music provided by Minister Tommie Harris, Sr.
Dance Performance by Move It! Dance Project!
Commemorative Walk from Ely Square to Elyria High School - 10:30 a.m.
Community Education & Information Fair - 12:30 p.m.
Sponsored by the Elyria Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission
2016 MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. Acts of Kindness Award
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “Acts of Kindness Award” recognizes students, grades 4 through 12, who
exemplify the teachings of Dr. King and his commitment to service by demonstrating goodwill, kindness,
fairness and caring in their school, family and community lives.
Elementary Category
Mackenzie Jamerson, Oakwood Elementary School
Kloe Koepp and Kylie Shull, Crestwood Elementary School
Middle School Category
Samantha Parsons, Northwood Middle School
Frankie Fields and John Thompson, Westwood Middle School
High School Category
Katherine Hill, Luke Hunt and Giovianni (Geno) Woodruff
Elyria High School
2016 MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. AWARDS
Community Building: St. Mary Parish
Community Service: Roxanne Jones Lewis and Ambassador Brothers Men’s Group
Youth Leadership Award: Angel Blakely and Morgan Davis
___________________________________________________________________
Keynote Speaker
Pastor Gwendolyn D. Gilmore
Full Gospel Faith Fellowship Church and Elyria Ministerial Alliance
Gwendolyn D. Gilmore was born in Nashville, Tennessee in 1955. Her family moved to Lorain County
after her father’s job relocated them here. She attended Elyria schools and later graduated from Oberlin High
School. It was in Oberlin that she met and later married her high school sweetheart Richard. They have three
sons, Rick Jr, Matthew, David, a foster daughter, Stacey and seven grandchildren. After receiving two
Associate Degrees from Lorain County Community College, Pastor Gilmore was hospitalized with a sudden
and near fatal brain hemorrhage. This traumatic experience would be a major turning point in her life. After
being in a coma for two weeks, Pastor Gilmore was miraculously healed. Six months later she returned to work
and school to later finish a Bachelor’s Degree in Math and Computer Science Degree at Baldwin Wallace
College. Pastor Gilmore began teaching as an Adjunct Math Professor at LCCC and within months she started
teaching at Elyria High. She continued working while pursuing Master’s Degree in Mathematics, but later
sensed a tugging in her heart to transfer into Ashland’s Theological Seminary. While teaching, she served as an
Evangelist before accepting her call to the pastorate. She was ordained as a pastor in South Bend, Indiana under
the leadership of the late Dr. Lester Sumrall of LeSea Ministries and the World Harvest Christian Church.
In 1996, she and her husband founded Full Gospel Faith Fellowship Church, an Inter-denominational
Bible-based Christian Fellowship located in Lorain, Ohio. In 2001, Pastor Gilmore started a non-profit faithbased Community Service organization called, the FGFF Rapha (Healing) International Center Incorporated.
The Center has several components including a Christian Childcare Center, Summer Camp, and Health
Awareness, Feed the Homeless and Hungry, Job Training and many other outreach services. Among her many
hats, Since 2003, Pastor Gilmore serves as the first and only female president of the Elyria Ministerial Alliance,
a non-profit organization that has served the Lorain County pastors, ministers and the community since 1948.
While Pastor Gilmore has received many awards for her service, her greatest reward is to see people walk in
peace, love, health, prosperity and their God-given potential. It is her philosophy, “that it is better to prepare a
life than repair it.” She lives in Elyria with her husband of 42 years.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service Program
Monday, January 18, 2016
11:00 A.M.
Opening Remarks
Mistress of Ceremonies
Dr. LaTaunya V. Conley
Presentation of Colors &
Pledge of Allegiance
Army J.R.O.T.C. Color Guards
Elyria High School
“Lift Every Voice and Sing”
Minister Tommie Harris, Sr.
Invocation
Pastor Renae Chaney
Welcome Address & Proclamation(s)
Mayor Holly C. Brinda
Superintendent Dr. Thomas Jama
U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (video)
Musical Selection
Minister Tommie Harris, Sr.
Introduction of the Speaker
Ms. Ardelia R. (Dee) Tolbert
“Where is the Dream now:
In Chaos or Community?”
Pastor Gwendolyn D. Gilmore
Dance presentation
Move It! Dance Project!
Acts of Kindness Awards
2016 Dr. King Awards
Carol Holt and Carl Kleinholz
Dr. LaTaunya V. Conley
Remarks from the Chairperson
Dr. LaTaunya V. Conley
“We Shall Overcome”
Minister Tommie Harris, Sr.
Benediction
Rev. Duane Anderson
Retirement of Colors
Army J.R.O.T.C. Color Guards
Elyria High School
Audio/Video tapes available by Rev. Dr. Carl P. Small, CPS Ministries
The Community Fair will follow the 30th Annual King Holiday Community Celebration
ELYRIA DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. HOLIDAY COMMISSION
Chairperson, Dr. LaTaunya V. Conley
Treasurer, Constance J. Drummer
MEMBERS/ ORGANIZATIONS
Thelma Adams, Volunteer
John R. Bender, Ph.D., Volunteer
Mayor Holly C. Brinda, Ex-officio
Walter Corn, Volunteer
Constance J. Drummer, Elyria City School District
Amy Higgins, Elyria City School District
Carl Kleinholz, Volunteer
Carol Holt, Volunteer
Rev. Dr. Carl P. Small, Second Baptist Church – CPS Ministries
Ardelia R. Tolbert, Elyria Unit of the NAACP
PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS
EHS Army J.R.O.T.C. Color Guards
Minister Tommie Harris, Sr.
Pastor Renae Chaney
The Honorable Holly C. Brinda
Dr. Thomas Jama
Ms. Ardelia R. (Dee) Tolbert
Pastor Gwendolyn D. Gilmore
Move It! Dance Project
Mrs. Carol Holt
Mr. Carl Kleinholz
Dr. LaTaunya V. Conley
Rev. Duane Anderson
Colonel Roy Jenkins, Director, Elyria High School
Vocalist
Renewal & Deliverance Outreach Ministry
Mayor, City of Elyria
Superintendent, Elyria City School District
President, Elyria Unit of the NAACP
Full Gospel Faith Fellowship Church and Elyria Ministerial Alliance
Angela Maggott, M. Ed., Program Administrator
Alicia Smith, Artistic Director
Member, Elyria Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission
Member, Elyria Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission
Chairperson, Elyria Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission
Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church
SPECIAL THANKS
Chronicle Telegram, Morning Journal, Elyria City Schools for use of their facilities and custodial services, J.R.
Simmons, Elyria Police Department, Elyria Street Department, WEOL, CPS Ministries, Walter and Elizabeth
Corn, Simply Elegant Affairs, Sidonia Lodge #93 PHA, LorainCounty.Com, Councilman John (Jack) Baird,
Councilwoman Brenda K. Davis, Mayor Holly C. Brinda, Dr. John R. Bender, Mount Zion Missionary Baptist
Church of Elyria, Rev. Larry Harville, 100 Men of Lorain County, Forrest and Gloria Bullocks, Elyria Unit of
the NAACP, Church of the Rock Ministries, City of Elyria Finance Director Ted Pileski and all Community
Fair participants.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
Monday, January 18, 2016
“Where is the Dream now: In Chaos or Community?”
30th Annual King Holiday Community-wide Celebration at 11:00 a.m.
Special guest Pastor Gwendolyn D. Gilmore
Community Education & Information Fair
12:30 – 2:00 p.m., EHS Lobby
King Holiday Soul Food Dinner, Marcel Hall, 117 Oberlin Road, Elyria.
$10.00 adults $8 (under 12) from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Sponsored by Marcel Holding Corp.
Oberlin Rededication to the Dream in Martin Luther King, Jr. Park at 12:15 p.m., corner of S. Pleasant and
Vine Streets, Oberlin. Traditional memorial ceremony consisting of shared readings and song.
Elyria Parks & Recreation MLK Open Skate, North Park Ice Arena, 901 Duffey Street, Elyria from 11:30
a.m. – 1:30 p.m. $3 admission and skate rental $3.
For Love of Liberty, Lorain Public Library Main Branch, 351 W. Sixth Street, Lorain from 1:00 – 5 p.m. This
is the story of America’s Black Patriots (2010) of African American service members, from the Revolution to
modern times. Enjoy light refreshments while watching the film. Preregistration required 440-244-1192.
A Cry for Universal Justice, Lorain Public Library South Branch, 2121 Homewood Drive, Lorain from 1 – 3
p.m., sponsored by the Interfaith Ministries of Lorain County and the International Urban Peace, Justice and
Empowerment Coalition of Lorain County. Call Imam Paul Hasan at 440-258-3114 for details.
MLK Jr. Day of Service 2016 Volunteer Projects, (1) Raise the Roof at Children’s Developmental Center
in Amherst from 12:30 – 4:30 p.m. Volunteers will replace ceiling tiles and complete other handy projects in
two hallway section. All project supplies are provided or (2) Read with a Child at Ready Set Go to
Kindergarten – Dewhurst Site in Elyria from 3 – 4:30 p.m. Volunteers will engage children as they read “Silly
Sally” a book that encourages physical activity and creative thinking. Sign-up at
www.UWLorainCounty.org/volunteer
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration with the Body of Christ Choir, Lorain Public Library South
Branch, 2121 Homewood Drive, Lorain at 6 p.m. In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. come and have your
spirits lifted by gospel music performed by Lorain’s own Body of Christ Choir. Preregistration required 440277-5672
Visions of History – Stories to Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr., Lorain Public Library Domonkas Branch,
4125 E. Lake Road, Sheffield Lake, from 6 – 7:30. Individuals will share personal remembrances of Dr. King.
Wednesday, January 20, 2016: 37th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Workshop - Sponsored by FCII
of Ohio, Kanisa House, 142 Cleveland Street, Elyria at 7:00 p.m., Call 440-366-3244 or email [email protected]
Thursday, January 21, 2016:
LCCC Student Life “Hunger Attack” Meal Packaging Service Project for MLK Day of Service, 1005 N.
Abbe Road, College Center, Elyria from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., packing up to 6,000 meals to be donated to
LCCC’s Commodore Cupboard and local agencies. Contact Erin Corwin at [email protected] for details.
Lift Every Voice and Sing
(Opening Song)
VERSE 1
Lift every voice and sing, till earth and heaven ring,
Ring with the harmonies of liberty;
Let our rejoicing rise, high as the list’ning skies,
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,
Let us march on till victory is won.
VERSE 2
Stony the road we trod, bitter the chast’ning rod,
Felt in the days when hope unborn had died;
Yet with a steady beat, have not our weary feet,
Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?
We have come over a way that with tears has been watered,
We have come, treading our path thro’ the blood of the slaughtered,
Out from the gloomy past, till now we stand at last
where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.
VERSE 3
God of our weary years, God of our silent tears,
Thou who hast brought us thus far on our way;
Thou who hast by thy might, led us into the light,
Keep us forever in the path, we pray.
Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee,
Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee;
Shadowed beneath Thy hand, may we forever stand,
true to our God, true to our native land.
Lyrics by James Weldon Johnson
Music by J. Rosemond Johnson