Cincinnati's Martin Luther King Day celebration consisted of thousands marching downtown, beginning with an Interfaith Prayer Service at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and concluding with a program of speakers and song at Cincinnati Music Hall. United Methodists from the Ohio River Valley District had a strong showing – with presence of nearly one hundred United Methodists from more than twelve congregations braving the cold.

The “United Methodists Stand Against Racism” signs at the march made it into news coverage from three networks: Local 12, Fox 19, and WLWT 5.

United Methodists sang in the world renowned MLK Chorale a cross-cultural, interdenominational choir that assembles for the Martin Luther King Day celebration.

Additionally, the Ohio River Valley District was – along with the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and the Board of Rabbis - one of the few faith judicatories to sponsor the MLK Day event. The Ohio River Valley District's advertisement presented a unique perspective, recognizing the problem of silence, repenting of past silence on racial justice and vowing to stay silent no more.

Congregations present included: Church of the Saviour UMC, Chapters - Northside UMC, Clifton UMC, Epiphany UMC, Gaines UMC, Hyde Park Community UMC, Keys of the Kingdom UMC, Mainville UMC, Milford UMC, Mt. Healthy UMC, New Vision UMC and State Ave. UMC.

Used from "News and Notes" - the Ohio River Valley District Newsletter