Remembering King

MOSES LAKE — Hands were clapping and feet were stomping Monday night as members of the community joined together at New Bride Missionary Baptist Church to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The celebration included singing, prayer, a reading of Martin Luther King Jr's "I Have a Dream" speech and a message from Rev. Raymond E. Tobin Sr.

The Moses Lake Gospel Community Choir opened the celebration singing "Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory," accompanied only by an organ and the voices of those gathered in the small church.

As Tobin got up from his seat to speak, an introduction by Rev. Lovell Lavender made a comparison between men of great physical stature and those of great character.

"Neither one of them allowed physical stature to define his character," Lavender said of Tobin and Martin Luther King Jr.

Tobin opened his message in prayer and then began to recite a passage from the Bible.

"God says all men are created equal," Tobin said.

In his 15-minute message, Tobin described Martin Luther King Jr. as a man who had a passion for justice and an aversion to injustice.

More than 140 years after the civil war and more than 40 years after the late civil rights leader fought for equality among the races, "We have come from master and slave to almost equal," Tobin said. "Thank God we're not where we used to be."

Toward the end of his message, Tobin referenced Christ's death on the cross and called for audience members to reflect on how God had blessed their lives, and to consider what they can do for others around them.

"I love the Lord, you know why?" Tobin said. "Because He loved me first."

The event was the first one Colett Sperline had attended since returning to the Moses Lake area after a 10-year absence.

"Feels good," Sperline said of being back in her community and seeing familiar faces.

Audience member John Randolph has come every year for the last decade to the Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration, which is now organized by the Moses Lake Gospel Community Choir.

Equality for all men should not just be celebrated on Jan. 16, but all year round, Randolph said.