Rev. Dr. Patricia Gainer (right) speaks to the audience on Monday during the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Prayer Breakfast. Also pictured are William Jones and Felina Harris.

Speaker at MLK prayer breakfast stresses work that remains to be done

BY DONNA SWICEGOOD

The Rev. Dr. Patricia Gainer told the crowd that gathered at the Statesville Civic Center on Monday morning that “we keep moving forward in faith” in realizing the dreams of Martin Luther King Jr.

Gainer, pastor of Shiloh AME Church, was the speaker at the 30th annual Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Community Prayer Breakfast on Monday.

The theme of the breakfast and Gainer’s message was “we have come this far by faith.”

“Faith that reminds of how far we’ve come and faith that pushes toward the promise of how far we can still go,” she said.

She said King once asked the question “Where do we go from here?”

“That question still rings loudly today,” Gainer said. “As we reflect on how far that we’ve come, we also must recognize the work that still remains.”

Gainer touched on King’s dream of equality but said that should not be the only focus.

“Equality may have been the goal, but equity is what justice requires now,” she said. “The spirit of equity calls for us to correct what has been broken, to repair the damage caused by generations of injustice so that everyone has the chance to rise and be successful.”

Gainer talked about the importance of Monday as both celebrating the legacy of King and the inauguration of President Donald Trump.

She said she is disappointed by the division she’s seen in the U.S., but equally concerned about those who choose to not be aware of issues.

“I am the type of pastor who is aware of what is going on in today’s society,” she said. “While you’re celebrating Dr. King’s legacy, the only way Dr. King’s legacy moves forward is we pay attention to what’s going on in our society.”

She said everyone needs to make sure they are fully engaged.

The prelude to Gainer’s address was a rousing performance by the MLK Celebration Choir.

Felina Harris, president of the MLK Committee, talked about the importance of this year’s celebration. “Thirty years,” she said. “I’m going to keep on saying that — 30 years.”

South Iredell JROTC Marine Corps cadets presented the colors for the event.

Jonathan McDonald, representing Crossroads Arts and Science Early College and First Greater Living Missionary Baptist Church, welcomed the crowd to the celebration.

Statesville Mayor Costi Kutteh presented a proclamation from the City of Statesville, and William Jones, a past president of the committee, reflected on the reason for the celebration.

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