50th Anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Speech “I have a dream”

Dear Friends,

I greet you in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ on this important day – August 28.

As we celebrate 50 years after the historic march on Washington DC, we give thanks to God for the seeds that were sown on that historic day, August 28, 1963 and the achievements since then.  We give thanks for the life of leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. whose dream lives on.  While some of the elements of the dream he articulated on that historic day have been fulfilled, we do have a long way to go to fulfil others in the United States of America, and in many parts of the world.  It is my prayer that this day will strengthen the resolve of our member churches to do everything possible to be part of God’s project of creating more just communities in the USA and in other parts of the world.

Martin Luther King articulated a dream that is an inspiration to the whole world.  The World Communion articulates the vision of living out the Communion of Reformed Churches, participating in God’s mission, that all may experience the fullness of life in Jesus Christ.

This is based on John 10.10:

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

In many ways, the actions of the thief that comes to steal and kill and destroy are so visible in our world today. Racism and economic injustice are just some signs of this.  Gender injustice and Climate injustice are others.  It is our prayer that the Lord Jesus Christ who came to contradict the “thief” and to bring life in fullness will renew us as we commemorate this very important historic day.

I give thanks to God for all in our USA member churches who have identified with the dream articulated by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and have been faithful in being part of the movement of dismantling injustice and fostering communities in which women and men of all races will live in peace, justice and harmony.  We urge those who have not seen this as a calling to see what God is already doing and join in.  It takes all of us to be faithful to God in the project of transformation to make a difference.

While I write this to our member churches in the USA, I echo it to all our member churches in the world.

On behalf of the President of the WCRC, Dr. Jerry Pillay, the Executive Committee and my colleagues here in Geneva, I greet you and congratulate you.  May God bless you this day.

Sincerely yours,

Setri Nyomi (Rev. Dr.)

General Secretary