Rev. Carter explores topic at Jan. 20 program

On Saturday, Jan. 20 the Thermal Belt Friendship Council will present its annual free program in celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  The program, which is funded by a generous Free Community Event Grant from the Polk County Community Foundation, will be held at the Tryon Fine Arts Center, 34 Melrose Avenue, at 6 p.m.  A reception open to all will follow the program.

The keynote address for this program will be presented by Reverend Michael Carter, esteemed consulting minister to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the Thermal Belt, and minister to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Swannanoa Valley in Black Mountain.

Reverend Carter received his professional education at the New Seminary/Interfaith Temple and College of New Rochelle (New York Theological Seminary Campus), culminating in a Master of Divinity at the Union Theological Seminary.  He served as minister to a number of Unitarian congregations across the New York area, and was chaplain to several hospitals.  He has also conducted diversity training and spoken on various issues of spirituality.  In addition, he was a professional actor for twenty years.

“Long Live the King” is the theme Reverend Carter will pursue  in his presentation.  He notes, “At times it is easy to forget that MLK, Jr. was a human being just like you and me. Granted, we may never look upon his like again, but he was a human being. I would like to touch on his humanity, flaws and all, in this talk and to also emphasize what he would encourage us to do to bring about social change in our culture. We cannot wait for another leader like King to appear on the scene and that’s perfectly fine. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for, so speak your truth even if your voice shakes!”

The program will also include a brief presentation of a dramatized adaptation of the book Best of Enemies by Osha Gray Davidson, prepared by Robin Edgar, a musical selection by Polk County High School student Elijah Sutton, and recognition of students who participated in a creative contest around themes related to Dr. King.

– submitted by Donna Tatnall