Ethnic Luncheon

St. John's Episcopal Anglican Church - Broad Creek

 

The Annual Ethnic Luncheon was held at St. John's Church- Broad Creek on March 25, 2007.  It had been originally scheduled for February 25, but due to an unexpected snow storm it was postponed. This was the fifth year for the Ethnic Luncheon which was the brainchild of Ms. Faith Chisholm who originally conceived of the idea and has arranged the event for the last five year.  

Mrs. Faith Chisholm said that this was originally intended as a Black History event, but that she felt the Church has such a diversity of cultures and backgrounds that we should celebrate our diversity and our individual ethnicity.

St. John's is proud of its multiracial heritage and of its tradition of bringing people together from all walks of life and all backgrounds and is proud to celebrate its ethnicity at this time of year.   Rev. Marc Britt, Rector of St. John's and recent recipient of the Friend of History Award has stated often that he is proud to be pastor of this parish where people of diverse backgrounds come together in love and faith. 


(David Turner, Chairman of the Historic Preservation Commission and Ms. Faith Chisholm at Ethnic Luncheon)

Mr. Charles Day presided over the Program for Ethnic Appreciation 2007 on "Recognition of Our History: Past, Present, Future" Enjoying our Diversity. 

 

 

Mr. Ruth Anne Cumberland, Senior Warden welcomed the participants to this year's program.

Mrs. Leslie Johnson, First Lady of Prince George's County (wife of County Executive Jack Johnson) spoke on Gorgeous Prince George's and the wonderful heritage and the many ethnic cultures and languages spoken in this County.  She said that she has recently formed a mentoring group for women to reach out and assist young women of the County and to look for a group for the men to follow shortly. 


(Mrs. Leslie Johnson, First Lady of Prince George's County speaking at Ethnic Luncheon)

The St. John's Choir sang a heartfelt and moving rendition of "Sometime" to which many attendees were humming along.   


(St John's Choir Sings "Sometime") 

Marge Stevens, Bea James, Gloria Simon and Dr. Omotayo Akintoba talked about their ethnic backgrounds and how their ethnicity affected their families and themselves growing up.  They each read a poem that best described their feelings about the multicultural diversity of St. John's Broad Creek.  


 

(Mrs. Bea James reading a poem on multi-cultural diversity.)                               



 

These vignettes were followed by Liturgical Dancers from Redemption Ministries performing Footsteps of Faith and the Triumphant Praise Dancers from Israel Baptist Church.

 

 


The pot luck ethnic luncheon representing the ethnic culture of the participants was enjoyed by all.  The many dishes, each representing a specific ethnicity, were thoroughly delightful.


(sampling ethnic dishes)


Alfonso Narvaez, Dave Turner and Mrs. Leslie Johnson (First Lady of Prince George's County)

The program closed with remarks by The Rev. Marc L. Britt, Rector, and a selection by the St. John's Choir called: "The Lord Bless You."