The Rev. Marcia Stanford of Macedonia Methodist Church in Ocean City.
Dr. Martin Luther King Celebrations in Ocean City
Ocean City celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at two different events this weekend: the annual King Ceremony on Saturday (Jan. 13) at the Bill and Nancy Hughes Performing Arts Center and the King Day of Service on Monday (Jan. 15).
The ceremony at 1 p.m. on Saturday brings the community together to remember King through words, song and dance. This year’s celebration includes a keynote address from the Rev. Marcia Stanford of Macedonia United Methodist Church in Ocean City and songs from Michelle Harris-Anderson, a former Miss Ocean City, former Miss Delaware and member of the Ocean City High School Class of 1989.
The Rev. Gregory Johnson of Shiloh Baptist Church celebrated the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s with a recitation of King's 'I have a dream' speech in 2016.
Two Ocean City residents will be honored for their community service: Robert Rowell, a volunteer who has helped clean and maintain the grounds of the Ocean City Housing Authority properties; and Julia Wilson, an Ocean City High School freshman and vocalist who is a friend to and advocate for veterans.
The Rev. Beth Mallozzi of The Shores at Wesley Manor will deliver the invocation and Joe Pratt of the Ocean City Ecumenical Council the closing prayer. Ocean City Intermediate School Principal Geoff Haines will announce the winners of a student essay contest. Nia Andrews, the current Miss Philadelphia and a runner-up to Miss Pennsylvania, will perform a liturgical dance selection.
After the program, everybody is invited to a free soul food dinner in the high school cafeteria. The menu includes fried chicken and other comfort food. Donations will be accepted and benefit OCNJ CARE. The Hughes Performing Arts Center is at Ocean City High School, and the entrance is on the beach block of Sixth Street.
Volunteers are invited to join others nationwide in a Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 15
