CST Celebrates Martin Luther King, Jr.

Last month CST observed its 43rd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration and Lecture via Zoom. The event began with worship led by CST alumna Rev. Dr. Clemette Haskins, who currently serves as the interim Associate Chaplain at Willamette University. Worship was followed by a lecture given by Professor Brian Bantum, the Neil F. and Ila A. Fisher Chair of Theology at Garrett-Evangelical Seminary. A panel discussion followed the lecture, moderated by CST professor Rev. Dr. Nicholas Grier and featuring CST professor Rev. Dr. Yuki Schwartz; alumna Dr. Toni Bond; the pastor of Faith United Methodist Church in Torrance, Rev. Allison Mark; and the founder of Black Joy and a community activist in Salem, Ms. Julianne Jackson.

Referencing Hosea 8 and Psalm 26, in a powerful sermon titled “Sowing in Whirlwinds,” Dr. Haskins encouraged and empowered worshippers with the refrain, “while we weep, we sow.” Her sermon reminded listeners that even while we are in the whirlwinds of poverty, racial oppression, a global pandemic, disharmony and dehumanization, ecological injustice, and more, “we weep and we sow.” 

Dr. Bantum’s lecture, titled “our body is our art: black visualities and theological figurations of freedom,” challenged listeners to consider how theology might be a “liberative presence” and how theologians were uniquely positioned to “create spaces of possibility.” Following his thought-provoking message an engaging panel discussion ensued. 

If you missed the day’s events, you may watch them on our YouTube channel at youtube.com/watch?v=P8AFPCnyAME. 

CST’s MLK tradition dates back to 1978 – eight years before the national day of observance began. During the early years, the lecture was listed as the King Convocation on the school’s academic calendar. However, in 1993, the event became the Martin Luther King, Jr. Endowed Lectureship, established with a gift from Dr. David Bruce Rogers, son of Professor Cornish Rogers and his wife Elsie Rogers. Dr. Cornish Rogers was CST’s first full-time black professor, and the namesake of the Cornish Rogers Prayer Chapel in the Butler Building on the Claremont campus. We extend gratitude for this legacy and for CST professor Rev. Dr. Lincoln Galloway, who for the last several years has championed this event.