01/10/13 Interfaith Pulpit Exchange On Martin Luther King Day In Port Chester

For two years the clergy of Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church, Congregation Kneses Tifereth Israel (KTI), St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, All Souls Parish Presbyterian Church and St. Frances A.M.E. Zion have been sharing regular fellowship.  St. Paul's is in Rye Brook and the other congregations are in Port Chester.  They have gathered their congregations to do service projects and last November organized a "baby shower" for the Carver Center to benefit any local families with infants who need assistance.  Fr. Stephen Schenck of Holy Rosary passed away just two weeks before the benefit at the Carver Center that he helped organize and was greatly missed.

This year they have planned to preach at each other's congregations.  In years past they have marked the Martin Luther King holiday as a day of service for members of each church or synagogue to help groups that are feeding and clothing people in need.  This year they are showing up in each other's pulpits to talk about how they have been inspired by the legacy of Dr. King and how our congregations can share in the power of Dr. King's vision of a beloved community where we embrace diversity, practice compassion and speak for justice.  Rabbi Jaymee Alpert will preach at All Soul's, Rev. Bruce Baker will lead worship at St. Peter's, Fr. Hilario Albert will preach at St. Paul's all on Sunday January 27th.  Pastor Jim O'Hanlon will speak at Congregation KTI on January 19th at the 9:30am Sabbath service.  Pastor O'Hanlon will also lead worship together with Fr. Albert at St. Paul's service of Holy Communion at 9:45am.  The services at All Soul's and St. Peters' will be at 10am.  All Soul's on Parkway Drive will also be hosting a community celebration of the Martin Luther King holiday featuring, humanitarian awards, choruses from the Port Chester Schools and "The Minister's Council Community Choir" from a group of Port Chester Churches including Bethesda Baptist, Mt. Zion, St. Frances AME Zion and Girtman Memorial Church of the Living God.  Rev. Natalie Wimberly of St. Frances AME Zion will be preaching at that celebration.