Let Freedom Ring! A celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. held in Nashua

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Julia Leonard, the Chair of the MLK Program Committee, performed as a vocal soloist during the 43rd Annual Tribute to Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. at the First Baptist Church of Nashua. Photo / Dan Splaine Photography

NASHUA, NH – Nashua area residents gathered Saturday night for the 43rd Annual Tribute to Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. at the First Baptist Church of Nashua. Pastor Akum Lonchar welcomed the multi-faith gathering that has been an annual tradition at the church since 1982.

The First Baptist Church of Nashua was the first faith community in New Hampshire to hold a tribute to Dr.King. The event continues annually with a commitment to continue spreading a message of hope and inspiration, to create a world filled with peace, justice, and equality for all.

In 1999 New Hampshire was the last nation in the country to adopt the MLK holiday which was first celebrated nationally in 2000.

Mayor Jim Donchess greeted the assembled group and noted that this was his tenth appearance as mayor at the celebration, and one of many he made when he was out of office. 

“This is Martin Luther King Day. It’s one of my favorite holidays because of everything that Dr. King did for American society, and for American life. And I always feel good about it because back in the ’80s you were the first church to hold this ceremony and Nashua was the first city in the state to celebrate Martin Luther King Day,” Donchess said.

He read a proclamation on behalf of the city to commemorate the occasion, which read in part, “The movement encouraged, and indeed, demanded social justice reform, the end of segregation, and pressed for equality and racial harmony. His words, deeds, and calls to action had a profound impact on creating positive, forward momentum for people of color in America.  His work proved that effecting change could begin at a grassroots level. And whereas Dr. King’s goals and iconic dream have yet to be truly, fully actualized in our struggling nation, we all can strive to continue the work we’ve done under his watch. We can help America advance in the direction of equality, peace, freedom, and justice for all.”

Nashua Mayor Jim Donchess spoke at the 43rd Annual Tribute to Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. at the First Baptist Church of Nashua. Photo / Dan Splaine Photography

Representatives of multiple ecumenical communities offered their remarks to commemorate the life of King. Alan Green from Temple Beth Abraham, Syed Jafri of the Islamic Society of Greater Nashua, Reverend Allison Paul of the Nashua Interfaith Council, and Sister Rosemary Burnham of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas each addressed those gathered.

The event included multiple musical performances. The FBC Chancel Choir, the New Fellowship Baptist Gospel Choir, and  The Nashua Community Interfaith Choir were the featured signing groups. Bahar Soyöz and Yalin Yavuz performed a flute and piano duet.

Julia Leonard, the Chair of the MLK Program Committee, performed as a vocal soloist presenting two traditional Negro spirituals. Said Leonard, “Negro Spirituals play a critical role in the cultural history of Black people of slavery times and their subsequent fight for freedom. They’re known as spirituals because of the deep religious feelings they express.”

She beautifully sang “Give Me Jesus” and a favorite of Dr. King’s, “Take My Hand, Precious Lord”.

Bishop Regina Shearer, Executive Pastor of Zion Church Ministries was the keynote speaker at the Let Freedom Ring! celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. held at the First Baptist Church of Nashua. Photo / Dan Splaine Photography

Bishop Regina Shearer, Executive Pastor of Zion Church Ministries was the keynote speaker, who provided an expansive commentary on the theme of “Let Freedom Ring.”  In part of her presentation, she referenced a passage from King’s final book, “Where Do We Go From Here?-Chaos or Community?” 

The Reverend Dr. King wrote, “This is the great new problem of mankind. We have inherited a great world house in which we have to live together. Black and white, Easterner and Westerner, Gentile and Jew, Catholic and Protestant, Muslim and Hindu. Because we can never again live apart. We must learn somehow to live with each other in peace.”

The Bishop offered this observation saying, “Reverend Dr. King’s dedication to pluralism feels particularly relevant at this moment in our world when so many other forces seek to divide us. It was one of Reverend Dr. King’s deep beliefs that we are stronger and better together. And that when we come together, it’s only through that coming together that we can begin to defeat the forces of evil in our world.”


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