Vancouver Avenue First Baptist To Host 16th Annual Drum Major Celebration Virtually

(Credit: https://vafbc.org/about}

On Sunday, January 16, Portland’s historic Vancouver Avenue First Baptist Church and its vibrant community will host their 16th annual Drum Major Celebration. Vancouver Avenue is one of Portland’s historic venues and the only church in Oregon where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. addressed the “Beloved Community” in November 1961 as part of his Civil Rights trip to the Pacific Northwest. It is also the only largely African American Church in Oregon to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

This is usually a two-day commemoration consisting of a Salute to Greatnessawards and scholarship luncheon. The Saturday event is normally full to capacity in the Fellowship Hall which is just over 300 people and the Sunday services, under normal conditions attracts over 600+ members of the community and a 100-voice choir. However, due to the Covid-19 spread and the more recent concern about the contagiousness of the Omicron variant the Church has decided against having a full open door to the public for fear of creating a “super spreader” event.

With regards to Covid-19 Omicron variant protocols, the church announced that this year’s celebration, as was last year’s celebration, will be broadcast on Facebook live at www.facebook.com/vafbc.

As in past years prominent public officials will give remarks and reflections as will prominent faith leaders, however all of the messages will be video-taped in advance. In place of a Choir, carefully selected YouTube  music will be selected and rather than a guest speaker this year participants will be blessed by airing the full length of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.

The public is encouraged to virtually attend the service which will stream on Facebook live beginning at 1:55 PM on Sunday, January 16. This is also a fund-raising event. Vancouver Avenue, since the inception of the Drum Major Scholarship Fund has supported activities and provided scholarships for over 300+ youth and young adults in the Portland area. One of the overwhelming aims of the fund is to support young people’s after-high-school pursuits leading to constructive life outcomes. They are: (1) Go to a four-year college or university; (2) Enroll in community college or vocational school; (3) Get a job; (4) Start a business; or (5) Enlist in foreign service.

All donations go to the Drum Major Scholarship Fund, which is its own separate 501C(3). For more information, contact the Church directly at 3138 N. Vancouver Avenue, Portland, OR 97227 Tuesday- Friday 10:00 AM-3:00 PM; by calling (503) 282-9496, make a donation at the “Give” tab on www.vafbc.org, or by email to: [email protected].

When asked about the meaning of the events against the current social and political backdrop, Pastor J.W. Matt Hennessee, Senior Servant of Vancouver Avenue First Baptist, who is also celebrating his 17th pastoral anniversary at the same time, said, “In times like these, it is imperative that we gather as community to work together, celebrate together, and collaborate together to ensure a vibrant, inclusive, and constructive future. The spirit and legacy of Dr. King, Mrs. King, Mrs. Parks, Ms. Yolanda D. King, President Mandela, Malcolm X and so many who came before us is what gives us encouragement and hope that we will overcome the difficulties, stresses, and strains of now and continue to build the ‘Beloved Community.’”