The Third Week of January 2021
Dear Members of the African Descent Lutheran Association (ADLA) – Los Angeles Chapter,
The People of the Southwest California Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America offer our heartfelt thanksgiving to you for the way you helped us begin this week with the Forty-First Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration and Commemoration Worship Service. We are deeply grateful for the gift you gave to us and so many others this week.
You gathered us together this past Sunday during this COVID-19 pandemic in a most amazing way through the wonders of digital technology. Our hearts were moved and touched by the powerful images, pictures, video clips, and the never-to-be forgotten quotations of Dr. King and others. Our spirits were lifted by the voices, choirs, hymns, songs, dance, orchestration, and choreography of so many talented people and groups. We listened and searched our souls during the prayers, proclamations, preaching, poetry, and the reading of sacred Scripture. Through our televisions, computers, and cell phones, you invited us to join the scores upon scores of people who contributed a part of themselves to make this celebration and commemoration a wonderful tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., but even more you gathered us as worshippers, giving God thanksgiving and praise.
While coming together physically has always been a memorable time to worship, this year the pre-recorded celebration and service allows us to revisit this commemoration again and again. Also in this new format, we know it became a gift to many people beyond Southern California, as we have heard from others near and far who were blessed to be invited and to attend from wherever they were Sunday afternoon.
To name every person involved would be impossible and might inadvertently leave out the names of some who contributed, but we do want to offer our special thanks to Ms. Carolyn Foster, the President of the Los Angeles Chapter of ADLA, who along with Tony Wilkins and Lamont Pete so capably produced the digital event this year. We also thank the Rev. Dr. Albert Starr, Jr. for his strong proclamation of the Holy Word as he wove the Old Testament story of Queen Esther into his “For Such A Time As This” message. For all those on the screen, behind the cameras, manipulating the sounds, clips, images, and art, for those working on the sidelines and waiting in the wings, for those planning, preparing, implementing, and orchestrating, we are thankful. For the people and leadership of Community Lutheran Church as you hosted this year’s digital gathering in partnership with other Lutheran congregations in Southern California, we express our gratitude.
At such a time as this as a pandemic separates us, and for such a time as this as we find new ways to come together, your efforts and countless hours gave God the glory, honored Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and truly became a blessing to all of us who participated. Again, we thank you from the depths of our hearts.
With gratitude, in the name of Christ Jesus,
The People, including the Laity and Lay Leaders, the Rostered Ministers, the Synod Staff, and the Interim Bishop of the Southwest California Synod-ELCA
