Letter from BIRMINGHAM JAIL

THE REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. ANNUAL SERVICE OF TRIBUTE

sunday, january 19, 2020 • 4 pm

washington national cathedral INTRODUCTION In 1963, white clergy in Birmingham, Ala., weren’t generations to solve, we have included the voices happy with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His of our youth. The Cathedral is focused on this issue civil rights work was too edgy, too disruptive. When because, quite simply, we are called to account, by he landed in jail, many in the church thought he got King and by our neighbors, to lead the way. exactly what he deserved. Mass incarceration diminishes and demeans every King responded with his famous “Letter From life it touches. That’s not only our brothers and sisters Birmingham Jail” with a direct challenge to the church. behind bars, but also our communities that have been How long should oppressed minorities wait to be ravaged by entire lost generations of parents and free, he asked. Why wasn’t the church joining him? leaders. Systemic incarceration also impacts those “Injustice anywhere,” he thundered from his jail cell, who hold the keys to freedom, when those whose “is a threat to justice everywhere.” destiny we control become a mere commodity to be warehoused and forgotten. His letter remains especially poignant today as America confronts a frustrating lack of progress As our Jewish brothers and sisters remind us, it is on behalf of our black and brown members and not our duty to finish the work of repairing the world, neighbors who are incarcerated. Unfortunately, the but neither are we free to neglect it. Today you’ll response to the victims of mass incarceration is much have a chance to side with Dr. King’s vision of justice the same as it was to Dr. King: It’s your fault. You got and liberation. Your donation will go directly to three yourself into this trouble. This is not our problem. organizations that are working to transform our broken criminal justice system. Our prayer today is that Dr. King’s letter will challenge each of us to consider – and confront – the injustices Today, we take up Dr. King’s challenge. Rather than that remain. Some of our readers today have been follow out of comfort or convenience, we will lead out touched by the scourge of mass incarceration either of conviction and conscience. Together, starting here, through imprisonment or personal connection. we can be the change. Because we know this is a problem that will take

HONORARY HOST COMMITTEE Muriel Bowser, Mayor, Washington D.C. Aisha Braveboy, State’s Attorney, Prince George’s County Parisa Dehghani-Tafti, Commonwealth’s Attorney for Arlington County and the City of Falls Church Judith Browne Dianis, Executive Director, Advancement Project Marc M. Howard, Founder, Prisons and Justice Initiative Cathy Hughes, Founder and chairwoman, Colby King, columnist, Gwen King, member, cathedral chapter Karl A. Racine, Attorney General, Washington D.C. Wayne and Catherine Reynolds, The Catherine B. Reynolds Foundation Paul Smith, minister, scholar and civil rights activist Andrew Young, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations

special thanks to The Catherine B. Reynolds Foundation Letter from Birmingham Jail The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Service of Tribute Sunday, January 19, 2020 • 4 pm washington national cathedral The people’s responses are in bold.

PRELUDE Spread Love Roderick Giles (b. 1982) Roderick Giles & Grace; Cathedral Band

There Is a Balm in Gilead Negro spiritual Michele Fowlin, soprano; Marshall Keys, saxophone; Cathedral Band

Can’t Give Up Now Curtis Burrell (b. 1945) Washington Performing Arts/Children of the Gospel Choir as sung by Mary Mary

Precious Lord, Take My Hand Thomas A. Dorsey (1899–1993) Roderick Giles & Grace; Cathedral Band

OPENING SONG Lead Me, Guide Me Doris Akers (1923–1995) Cathedral Band

I am weak, and I need Thy strength and power Help me tread in the paths of righteousness, To help me over my weakest hour. Be my aid when Satan and sin oppress. Help me through the darkness Thy face to see. I am putting all my trust in Thee. Lead me, oh Lord, lead me. Lead me, oh Lord, lead me. Refrain Refrain Lead me, guide me, along the way, I am lost if you take your hand from me, For if you lead me, I cannot stray. I am blind without thy light to see, Lord, let me walk each day with Thee. Lord, just always let me thy servant be, Lead me, oh Lord, lead me. Lead me, oh Lord, lead me. Refrain

WELCOME The Very Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith, Dean, Washington National Cathedral

INTRODUCTION AND PRAYER FOR DR. KING The Rev. Canon Leonard L. Hamlin, Sr., Canon Missioner, Washington National Cathedral

CALL TO PRAYER Cantor Susan Bortnick, Washington Hebrew Congregation Rayyan Syed, ADAMS BEAT Choir (All Dulles Area Muslim Society) Jason Widney, Cathedral Choir

EXCERPT FROM STIRRING THE WATERS ACROSS AMERICA Stirring the Waters Nolan Williams, Jr. (b. 1969) Cast of “Stirring the Waters Across America” adapted from the Negro spiritual Wade in the Water

LETTER FROM BIRMINGHAM JAIL BY THE REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

INTRODUCTION TO “LETTER FROM BIRMINGHAM JAIL” Recording of Dr. King reading his “Letter from Birmingham Jail”

This and all following excerpts offered by today’s readers are from “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” CHORAL RESPONSE Ain’t Nobody Gonna Turn Me Around Negro spiritual, arr. R. Giles Roderick Giles & Grace; Cathedral Band

PART 1: OUR LEGITIMATE AND UNAVOIDABLE IMPATIENCE …My friends, I must say to you that we have not made a midst of an affluent society; when you suddenly find your single gain in civil rights without determined legal and tongue twisted and your speech stammering as you seek nonviolent pressure. History is the long and tragic story to explain to your six-year-old daughter why she cannot go of the fact that privileged groups seldom give up their to the public amusement park that has just been advertised privileges voluntarily. Individuals may see the moral light on television, and see tears welling up in her little eyes and voluntarily give up their unjust posture; but, as Reinhold when she is told that Funtown is closed to colored children, Niebuhr has reminded us, groups are more immoral than and see the depressing clouds of inferiority begin to form individuals. in her little mental sky, and see her begin to distort her little personality by unconsciously developing a bitterness We know through painful experience that freedom is never toward white people; when you have to concoct an answer voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded for a five-year-old son asking in agonizing pathos, “Daddy, by the oppressed. … For years now I have heard the why do white people treat colored people so mean?”; when word “wait.” It rings in the ear of every Negro with a you take a cross-country drive and find it necessary to piercing familiarity. This “wait” has almost always meant sleep night after night in the uncomfortable corners of your “never.” It has been a tranquilizing thalidomide, relieving automobile because no motel will accept you; when you the emotional stress for a moment, only to give birth to are humiliated day in and day out by nagging signs reading an ill-formed infant of frustration. We must come to see “white” and “colored”; when your first name becomes with the distinguished jurist of yesterday that “justice too “nigger” and your middle name becomes “boy” (however long delayed is justice denied.” We have waited for more old you are) and your last name becomes “John,” and when than three hundred and forty years for our God-given your wife and mother are never given the respected title and constitutional rights. The nations of Asia and Africa “Mrs.”; when you are harried by day and haunted by night are moving with jetlike speed toward the goal of political by the fact that you are a Negro, living constantly at tiptoe independence, and we still creep at horse-and-buggy pace stance, never knowing what to expect next, and plagued toward the gaining of a cup of coffee at a lunch counter. I with inner fears and outer resentments; when you are guess it is easy for those who have never felt the stinging forever fighting a degenerating sense of “nobodyness” darts of segregation to say “wait.” But when you have seen — then you will understand why we find it difficult to wait. vicious mobs lynch your mothers and fathers at will and There comes a time when the cup of endurance runs drown your sisters and brothers at whim; when you have over and men are no longer willing to be plunged into an seen hate-filled policemen curse, kick, brutalize, and even abyss of injustice where they experience the bleakness kill your black brothers and sisters with impunity; when of corroding despair. I hope, sirs, you can understand our you see the vast majority of your twenty million Negro legitimate and unavoidable impatience. brothers smothering in an airtight cage of poverty in the

CHORAL RESPONSE Mind Stayed on Freedom Negro spiritual and Freedom Song Cast of “Stirring the Waters Across America” arr. N. Williams, Jr.

PART 2: THERE IS A MORE EXCELLENT WAY You express a great deal of anxiety over our willingness uplifts human personality is just. Any law that degrades to break laws. This is certainly a legitimate concern. Since human personality is unjust. All segregation statutes are we so diligently urge people to obey the Supreme Court’s unjust because segregation distorts the soul and damages decision of 1954 outlawing segregation in the public the personality. It gives the segregator a false sense of schools, it is rather strange and paradoxical to find us superiority and the segregated a false sense of inferiority. consciously breaking laws. One may well ask, “How can …[S]egregation is not only politically, economically, and you advocate breaking some laws and obeying others?” sociologically unsound, but it is morally wrong and sinful. The answer is found in the fact that there are two types of Paul Tillich has said that sin is separation. Isn’t segregation laws: there are just laws, and there are unjust laws. I would an existential expression of man’s tragic separation, agree with St. Augustine that “An unjust law is no law at all.” an expression of his awful estrangement, his terrible sinfulness? So I can urge men to obey the 1954 decision Now, … [h]ow does one determine when a law is just or of the Supreme Court because it is morally right, and I can unjust? A just law is a man-made code that squares with urge them to disobey segregation ordinances because the moral law, or the law of God. An unjust law is a code they are morally wrong. that is out of harmony with the moral law. … Any law that … An unjust law is a code inflicted upon a minority which believe I would openly advocate disobeying these anti- that minority had no part in enacting or creating because religious laws. it did not have the unhampered right to vote. Who can say that the legislature of Alabama which set up the ... I stand in the middle of two opposing forces in the Negro segregation laws was democratically elected? Throughout community. One is a force of complacency made up of the state of Alabama all types of conniving methods Negroes who, as a result of long years of oppression, have are used to prevent Negroes from becoming registered been so completely drained of self-respect and a sense of voters, and there are some counties without a single “somebodyness” that they have adjusted to segregation, Negro registered to vote, despite the fact that the Negroes and, on the other hand, of a few Negroes in the middle constitute a majority of the population. Can any law set up class who, because of a degree of academic and economic in such a state be considered democratically structured? security and because at points they profit by segregation, have unconsciously become insensitive to the problems …Of course, there is nothing new about this kind of civil of the masses. The other force is one of bitterness and disobedience. It was seen sublimely in the refusal of hatred and comes perilously close to advocating violence. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to obey the laws It is expressed in the various black nationalist groups of Nebuchadnezzar because a higher moral law was that are springing up over the nation, … This movement involved. It was practiced superbly by the early Christians, is nourished by the contemporary frustration over the who willing to face hungry lions and the excruciating continued existence of racial discrimination. It is made up of pain of chopping blocks before submitting to certain people who have lost faith in America, who have absolutely unjust laws of the Roman Empire. To a degree, academic repudiated Christianity, and who have concluded that freedom is a reality today because Socrates practiced civil the white man is an incurable devil. I have tried to stand disobedience. between these two forces, saying that we need not follow the do-nothingism of the complacent or the hatred and We can never forget that everything Hitler did in Germany despair of the black nationalist. There is a more excellent was “legal” and everything the Hungarian freedom fighters way, of love and nonviolent protest. … did in Hungary was “illegal.” It was “illegal” to aid and comfort a Jew in Hitler’s Germany. But I am sure that if I Oppressed people cannot remain oppressed forever. had lived in Germany during that time, I would have aided The urge for freedom will eventually come. This is what and comforted my Jewish brothers even though it was has happened to the American Negro. Something within illegal. If I lived in a Communist country today where certain has reminded him of his birthright of freedom; something principles dear to the Christian faith are suppressed, I without has reminded him that he can gain it. …

CONGREGATIONAL SONG We’ll Understand It Better By and By Charles A. Tindley (1851–1933) Cathedral Band

We are often tossed and driven, Trials dark on every hand, On the restless sea of time. And we cannot understand, Somber skies and howling tempests All the ways that God would lead us Oft succeed a bright sunshine. To that blessed Promised Land. In that land of perfect day, But He guides us with His eye When the mists have rolled away, And we’ll follow till we die. We will understand it better by and by. For we’ll understand it better by and by. Refrain Refrain By and by Temptations, hidden snare When the morning comes, Often take us unawares, When the saints of God And our hearts are made to bleed Are gathered home, For some thoughtless word or deed. We will tell the story And we wonder why the test, How we’ve overcome; When we try to do our best, For we’ll understand it better But we’ll understand it better by and by. By and by. Refrain

CHORAL RESPONSE Fight On Kevin Davidson (b. 1969) Washington Performing Arts/Children of the Gospel Choir; Annisse Murillo, soloist PART 3: WAS NOT JESUS AN EXTREMIST IN LOVE? I must make two honest confessions to you, my Christian my days before I make a mockery of my conscience.” and Jewish brothers. First, I must confess that over the Was not Abraham Lincoln an extremist? — “This nation last few years I have been gravely disappointed with the cannot survive half slave and half free.” Was not Thomas white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable Jefferson an extremist? — “We hold these truths to be self- conclusion that the Negro’s great stumbling block in the evident, that all men are created equal.” So the question stride toward freedom is not the White Citizens Councillor is not whether we will be extremist, but what kind of or the Ku Klux Klanner but the white moderate who is more extremists we will be. Will we be extremists for hate, or will devoted to order than to justice; who prefers a negative we be extremists for love? Will we be extremists for the peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace preservation of injustice, or will we be extremists for the which is the presence of justice; who constantly says, cause of justice? “I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I can’t agree with your methods of direct action”; who paternalistically I had hoped that the white moderate would see this. Maybe feels that he can set the timetable for another man’s I was too optimistic. Maybe I expected too much. I guess freedom; who lives by the myth of time; and who constantly I should have realized that few members of a race that has advises the Negro to wait until a “more convenient season.” oppressed another race can understand or appreciate the Shallow understanding from people of good will is more deep groans and passionate yearnings of those that have frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people been oppressed, and still fewer have the vision to see of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering that injustice must be rooted out by strong, persistent, and than outright rejection. … determined action. I am thankful, however, that some of our white brothers have grasped the meaning of this social …You spoke of our activity in Birmingham as extreme. At revolution and committed themselves to it. They are still all first I was rather disappointed that fellow clergymen would too small in quantity, but they are big in quality. Some, like see my nonviolent efforts as those of an extremist… But Ralph McGill, Lillian Smith, Harry Golden, and James Dabbs, as I continued to think about the matter, I gradually gained have written about our struggle in eloquent, prophetic, and a bit of satisfaction from being considered an extremist. understanding terms. Others have marched with us down Was not Jesus an extremist in love? — “Love your enemies, nameless streets of the South. They sat in with us at lunch bless them that curse you, pray for them that despitefully counters and rode in with us on the freedom rides. They use you.” Was not Amos an extremist for justice? — “Let have languished in filthy roach-infested jails, suffering the justice roll down like waters and righteousness like a abuse and brutality of angry policemen who see them as mighty stream.” Was not Paul an extremist for the gospel “dirty nigger lovers.” They, unlike many of their moderate of Jesus Christ? — “I bear in my body the marks of the brothers, have recognized the urgency of the moment and Lord Jesus.” Was not Martin Luther an extremist? — “Here sensed the need for powerful “action” antidotes to combat I stand; I can do no other so help me God.” Was not John the disease of segregation. Bunyan an extremist? — “I will stay in jail to the end of

INVITATION TO OFFERTORY An offering will be collected during “If I Can Help Somebody.” One-third will be distributed to Advancement Project’s Schoolhouse to Jailhouse program in honor of their 25th Anniversary year; one-third to the Prisons to Justice Initiative; and one-third to Kairos Ministries. All three of these groups support changes to the criminal justice system while providing support to impacted families and communities.

Add your gift to the plate as it comes by your seat, or text the amount you want to give and “MLK” to 202.856.9005 to give online. (For example: text “20 MLK”)

OFFERTORY ANTHEM If I Can Help Somebody Alma Irene Bazel Androzzo Thompson (1912–2001) Washington Performing Arts/Children of the Gospel Choir arr. Stanley Thurston

SECTION 4: THE JUDGMENT OF GOD IS UPON THE CHURCH Let me rush on to mention my other disappointment. I have of this state for integrating Springhill College several been disappointed with the white church and its leadership. years ago. Of course, there are some notable exceptions. I am not unmindful of the fact that each of you has taken some But despite these notable exceptions, I must honestly significant stands on this issue. I commend you, Reverend reiterate that I have been disappointed with the church. Stallings, for your Christian stand this past Sunday in I do not say that as one of those negative critics who can welcoming Negroes to your Baptist Church worship service always find something wrong with the church. I say it as on a nonsegregated basis. I commend the Catholic leaders a minister of the gospel who loves the church, who was nurtured in its bosom, who has been sustained by its There was a time when the church was very powerful. Spiritual blessings, and who will remain true to it as long as It was during that period that the early Christians rejoiced the cord of life shall lengthen. when they were deemed worthy to suffer for what they believed. In those days the church was not merely a … I came to Birmingham with the hope that the white thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of religious leadership of this community would see the justice popular opinion; it was the thermostat that transformed the of our cause and with deep moral concern serve as the mores of society … channel through which our just grievances could get to the power structure. I had hoped that each of you would Things are different now. The contemporary church is so understand. But again I have been disappointed. often a weak, ineffectual voice with an uncertain sound. It is so often the arch supporter of the status quo. Far from I have heard numerous religious leaders of the South call being disturbed by the presence of the church, the power upon their worshipers to comply with a desegregation structure of the average community is consoled by the decision because it is the law, but I have longed to hear church’s often vocal sanction of things as they are. white ministers say, follow this decree because integration is morally right and the Negro is your brother. In the But the judgment of God is upon the church as never midst of blatant injustices inflicted upon the Negro, I have before. If the church of today does not recapture watched white churches stand on the sidelines and merely the sacrificial spirit of the early church, it will lose its mouth pious irrelevancies and sanctimonious trivialities. authentic ring, forfeit the loyalty of millions, and be In the midst of a mighty struggle to rid our nation of racial dismissed as an irrelevant social club with no meaning and economic injustice, I have heard so many ministers for the twentieth century. I meet young people every say, “Those are social issues which the gospel has nothing day whose disappointment with the church has risen to to do with,” and I have watched so many churches commit outright disgust. themselves to a completely otherworldly religion which made a strange distinction between bodies and souls, the sacred and the secular.

CHORAL RESPONSE Oh, Freedom Anonymous Roderick Giles & Grace arr. R. Giles

SECTION 5: ONE DAY [THE COUNTRY] WILL RECOGNIZE ITS REAL HEROES I hope the church as a whole will meet the challenge of believe you would have so warmly commended the police this decisive hour. But even if the church does not come to force if you had seen its angry violent dogs literally biting the aid of justice, I have no despair about the future. I have six unarmed, nonviolent Negroes. … no fear about the outcome of our struggle in Birmingham, even if our motives are presently misunderstood. We will I wish you had commended the Negro demonstrators of reach the goal of freedom in Birmingham and all over the Birmingham for their sublime courage, their willingness to nation, because the goal of America is freedom. Abused suffer, and their amazing discipline in the midst of the most and scorned though we may be, our destiny is tied up inhuman provocation. One day the South will recognize with the destiny of America. Before the Pilgrims landed its real heroes. They will be the James Merediths, at Plymouth, we were here. Before the pen of Jefferson courageously and with a majestic sense of purpose facing scratched across the pages of history the majestic word of jeering and hostile mobs and the agonizing loneliness the Declaration of Independence, we were here. For more that characterizes the life of the pioneer. They will be than two centuries our foreparents labored here without old, oppressed, battered Negro women, symbolized in a wages; they made cotton king; and they built the homes of seventy-two-year-old woman of Montgomery, Alabama, their masters in the midst of brutal injustice and shameful who rose up with a sense of dignity and with her humiliation — and yet out of a bottomless vitality our people decided not to ride the segregated buses, and people continue to thrive and develop. If the inexpressible responded to one who inquired about her tiredness with cruelties of slavery could not stop us, the opposition we ungrammatical profundity, “My feets is tired, but my soul now face will surely fail. We will win our freedom because is rested.” They will be young high school and college the sacred heritage of our nation and the eternal will of students, young ministers of the gospel and a host of their God are embodied in our echoing demands. elders courageously and nonviolently sitting in at lunch counters and willingly going to jail for conscience’s sake. I must close now. But before closing I am impelled to One day the South will know that when these disinherited mention one other point in your statement that troubled me children of God sat down at lunch counters they were in profoundly. You warmly commended the Birmingham police reality standing up for the best in the American dream and force for keeping “order” and “preventing violence.” I don’t the most sacred values in our Judeo-Christian heritage. CHORAL RESPONSE Hold On Negro spiritual Cast of “Stirring the Waters Across America” arr. N. Williams, Jr.

CLOSING FROM “LETTER FROM BIRMINGHAM JAIL” Recording of Dr. King reading his “Letter from Birmingham Jail”

CHORAL RESPONSE Birmingham Letter N. Williams, Jr. Washington Performing Arts/Children of the Gospel Choir & Cast of “Stirring the Waters Across America”

CLOSING The Rev. Canon Rosemarie Logan Duncan, Canon for Worship, Washington National Cathedral

Canon Duncan Let us all hope that the dark clouds of racial prejudice People will soon pass away Canon Duncan and the deep fog of misunderstanding People will be lifted from our fear-drenched communities, Canon Duncan and in some not too distant tomorrow the radiant stars of love and brotherhood People will shine over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty.

BLESSING The Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington

The people respond Amen.

CONGREGATIONAL SONG Lift Every Voice and Sing J. Rosamond Johnson (1873–1954) Cathedral Band

Lift every voice and sing, We have come, treading our path through the blood Till earth and heaven ring, of the slaughtered; Ring with the harmonies of Liberty; Out of the gloomy past, Let our rejoicing rise Till now we stand at last High as the list’ning skies; Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast. Let it resound loud as the rolling sea. God of our weary years, Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has God of our silent tears, taught us; Thou who hast brought us thus far on the way; Sing a song full of the hope that the present has Thou who hast by Thy might, brought us; Led us into the light, Facing the rising sun Keep us forever in the path, we pray. Of our new day begun, Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, Let us march on till victory is won. where we met Thee; Stony the road we trod, Lest, our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, Bitter the chast’ning rod, we forget Thee; Felt in the days when hope unborn had died; Shadowed beneath Thy hand, Yet, with a steady beat, May we forever stand, Have not our weary feet True to our God, true to our native land. Come to the place for which our fathers sighed? (James Weldon Johnson, 1871–1938) We have come over a way that with tears has been watered;

POSTLUDE Total Praise Richard Smallwood (b. 1951) Washington Performing Arts/Children of the Gospel Choir; Roderick Giles & Grace

FREE Natalie Wilson (b. 1971) Cathedral Band & Children of the Gospel Band MUSICIANS

Formed in 1993 to celebrate the tradition and inspirational Nolan Williams, Jr. is an American songwriter, musician, root of gospel music on America’s main stages, Washington producer, and musicologist. He is CEO of NEWorks Performing Arts’ Children of the Gospel Choir is one of Productions and chief music editor of the landmark bestselling Washington Performing Arts resident ensembles. It has publication African American Heritage Hymnal (2001). His vast become a destination choir for local students who look to music catalogue includes choral/orchestral works premiered develop excellence in artistry and technique as a performance by world class orchestras. He has arranged commemorative ensemble. Chosen through a competitive audition process, works for official celebrations at The White House (for African choir members from D.C., Maryland and Virginia commit to American History Month and Black Music Month) as well as participating in a year of choral training, team-building and the internationally-televised Dedication Ceremony of the MLK performances on Washington Performing Arts main stage National Memorial. Williams’ special arrangements have been as well as community events across the national capital performed by a cadre of artists including Aretha Franklin, region. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Michele BeBe Winans, Denyce Graves, Harolyn Blackwell, and Bobby Fowlin, the choir has performed at The White House; the McFerrin and his songwriting appears on Grammy-nominated Inaugural prayer services for President ; CD projects by R&B songstress Regina Belle and Richard the grand opening of THE REACH at Kennedy Center; on Smallwood. WUSA 9’s Great Day Washington and NBC’s Today Show. washingtonperformingarts.org “Stirring the Waters Across America” is a multimedia touring production illuminating the Civil Rights Movement for new Children of the Gospel Band: Michele Fowlin (Director), audiences. Conceived and music directed by American Anthony Walker (Music Director/piano), Hamilton Hayes composer Nolan Williams, Jr. and directed by Eric Ruffin, (bass), Quincy Phillips (drums) “Stirring the Waters Across America” combines captivating music, spoken word and dance with stunning visuals to Roderick Giles, a native Washingtonian, attended Eastern highlight seminal moments from the Movement from 1954 High School and was a soloist in the world-renowned Eastern to 1968, connecting the past with the present. “Stirring the High School Choir. He is a sought-after singer, composer, Waters…” is one of the first works to be developed through vocal clinician, and director and the CEO of Giles Music Group, The Kennedy Center’s newly-inaugurated Social Impact LLC. He has performed with countless gospel greats including Arts Residency. The national tour, produced by NEWorks Karen Clark Sheard, , Kirk Franklin, Stephen Productions and Edgewood Ventures, will commence this Hurd, and others. His ensemble, “Grace,” serves as the February in Nashville, Tenn. For more information, visit www. primary singers for the Giles Music Group, LLC. Members of neworksproductions.com. Grace have performed at White House, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The Washington Convention Stirring the Waters Across America Band: Paul Byssainthe, Center and BET Studios. The group tours Europe each year, Jr. (piano), Jalen Francis (alto saxophone), Jason Wilson presenting standing-room only concerts in Czech Republic, (bass), Kevin ‘Stixx’ Marshall, (set percussion) Switzerland, Sardinia and Italy. Roderick Giles & Grace are passionate about singing and ministering in excellence to Stirring the Waters Across America Cast: Teriauna Duran, bring hope, love, joy, peace, and happiness to all who hear Kiana Eboné, Austin Farrow, Nikolai Granados, Monique them. www.gilesmusicgroupllc.com. Steele Griffiths, Christian Harware, Charles Miller, Taylor Milton, Aileen Mitchener, Tyesha Nance, Roy Patten, Jr. Roderick Giles & Grace: Crystal Brooks, April Webbs, Candace Potts, Daniel Smith, Darrick Speller, Kimberly Rhonda Nelson, Tahra Bonds, Antonio Covington, Thevenin Tevin Price ADAPTOR/DIRECTOR OF READINGS Under the direction of Daryl L.A. Hunt, the Washington Mary Hall Surface, artistic director, is a Helen Hayes National Cathedral Band leads music at the Cathedral’s 9 am Award–winning director, playwright and producer devoted Sunday service and supports the various worship needs of to intergenerational theatre, multidisciplinary collaborations the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. Inspired by jazz, blues, and innovative student and community arts engagement. gospel and world music, the ensemble seeks to embrace Mary Hall’s most recent productions include writing/directing and expand Anglican traditions, emphasizing God’s passion the Young People’s Concert (National Symphony Orchestra) for justice. and Color’s Garden (National Gallery of Art); directing The Skin of Our Teeth (Constellation Theatre Company) and Ella Washington National Cathedral Band: Daryl L. A. Hunt Enchanted (Adventure Theatre MTC) and adapting/directing (Music Director/piano), Marshall Keys (saxophone), The Second Shepherds’ Play for the Folger Consort. Mary Mark Prince (drums) Hall is the founding instructor of the National Gallery’s Writing Salon and a national teaching artist for the Kennedy Center and Harvard’s Project Zero. READERS AND WORSHIP LEADERS

Cantor Susan Bortnick was appointed Cantor at Washington The Rev. Canon Leonard L. Hamlin, Sr. began his tenure Hebrew Congregation in 2001. Her soaring soprano endows at Washington National Cathedral in April 2018. In his role the Congregation’s services and events with majesty, and as canon missioner, Dr. Hamlin oversees the Cathedral’s she is always eager to explore new enhancements to the outreach and social justice initiatives, including gun violence worship experience. Cantor Bortnick pursued cantorial studies prevention and racial justice and reconciliation. In particular after graduating from the University of Texas, Austin and is a Hamlin assists in the building of partnerships and the member of the American Conference of Cantors (Reform) and equipping of the Cathedral community and the congregation Cantors Assembly (Conservative). to serve as the hands and feet of Jesus Christ in the world.

The Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde serves as spiritual leader The Very Rev. Randolph “Randy” Marshall Hollerith was for 88 Episcopal congregations and 10 Episcopal schools named the 11th dean of Washington National Cathedral in in the District of Columbia and four Maryland counties. A 2016 after a quarter century of ministry to Episcopal parishes passionate believer in the Gospel of Jesus and the Episcopal in Virginia and Georgia. As dean, he serves as the head Church’s particular witness, Bishop Budde is committed to pastor and chief executive of the world’s sixth-largest Gothic the spiritual and numerical growth of congregations and Cathedral. In his tenure at the Cathedral, Dean Hollerith has developing new expressions of Christian community. She led the creation of a five-year strategic plan, launched the new believes that Jesus calls all who follow him to strive for justice Cathedral College of Faith & Culture, overseen budget growth and peace, and to respect the dignity of every human being. of 28 percent with three consecutive budget surpluses, and reoriented the institution toward radical welcome and Judith Browne Dianis is the executive director of hospitality, with a particular focus on racial reconciliation and Advancement Project’s national office, which celebrates its outreach to the nation’s veterans. 20th anniversary in 2019. She joined Advancement Project at its inception, building on an extensive background in civil Cheryl Jackson is a 27-year radio veteran, most popularly rights litigation and advocacy in voting, education, housing known as a Stellar Award-winning media professional bringing and employment. She is a pioneer in the movement to humor and life to Christian radio. She began her career at dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline; her efforts to protect 90.3FM WDIH in Salisbury, MD and then became a weekend voters of color span years of dedication and include victories host for two radio stations. Jackson garnered her first Stellar like the restoration of voting rights for Returning Citizens in Award as Program Director for WPGC-AM, Heaven 1580 in Florida in 2018 alongside grassroots partners. Dianis’ work Washington, DC. She can currently be heard on Radio One’s has been recognized by both Essence magazine and the WPRS-FM, Praise 104.1. In 2018, Jackson was honored as a Leadership & Sustainability Institute. “2018 Stellar Woman in Gospel.” Her bubbling personality along with her commitment to Christ makes a wonderful and The Rev. Canon Rosemarie Logan Duncan joined the edifying listening experience. Cathedral as its canon for worship in 2016, and oversees the Cathedral’s liturgical and worship life. Working with the clergy Walter Pierce Pearson IV, Washington Performing Arts’ and a dedicated team of volunteers, she directs the offering Children of the Gospel Choir, 8th grade of 1,500 worship services that serve more than 160,000 worshippers each year. Duncan, a native Washingtonian, Momolu Stewart is a former juvenile lifer who spent 23 years is known as a gifted liturgist and pastor, and specializes in prison for a crime he committed at the age of 16. During his in crafting liturgies to mark significant anniversaries and incarceration he used his mistakes as lessons and became moments in our national life. a mentor to younger incarcerated people. He was featured in the Emmy Award-winning documentary “Thug life In D.C.” Tiffany Edmundson recently returned home after nearly and the Sundance film award winning movie “Slam.” His life six years of incarceration. Her experience was deeply story will be featured in the upcoming documentary “Kim challenging, but she developed self-preservation skills and Kardashian West: The Justice Project.” became more self-aware. During some of her time, she was fortunate to become a student in a wonderful education Rayyan Syed, ADAMS BEAT Choir (All Dulles Area Muslim program. Now that she has released herself from the Society), 9th grade spiderweb of the criminal justice system, she is welcoming a life that can finally be of her own choosing. Jason Widney is a versatile performer. A frequent oratorio soloist, he performs regularly with the Washington Bach Sharli Fleming, Washington Performing Arts’ Children of the Consort and other regional organizations. In addition to his Gospel Choir, 8th grade participation in the Cathedral Choir, he sings regularly with a number of professional choral ensembles in the area including Cathedra, Chantry, District 8 and the Bridge Ensemble. READERS

The Rt. Rev. cheryl jackson Mariann Edgar Budde

judith browne dianis walter pierce pearson

tiffany edmundson rayyan syed

sharli fleming momolu stewart

TEXT MUSIC Unless otherwise noted, the spoken text is taken from The Lead me, guide me. Doris Akers. Copyright 1953, Doris Akers. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s essay “Letter from Birmingham All rights administered by Chappell & Co.—represented by Jail” written in 1963 as a response to a public statement by Hal Leonard Corporation. Reprinted under One License moderate clergymen in Birmingham. #A-709283. We’ll understand it better by and by. Charles A. Tindley. Public domain. Lift every voice and sing. James Weldon Johnson. Public domain. The Catherine B. Reynolds Foundation makes a meaningful difference in its creative approach to philanthropy. In addition to offering grants and awards, it believes in direct action and establishing incentives that will stir young people to strive for excellence and have a positive influence in the world. Principal Sponsor

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