“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”

These words from Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. were a point of reflection for those gathered at Spring Garden Missionary Baptist Church on Monday, as the Jeptha Chapter No. 1 Order of the Eastern Star hosted a celebration in King’s honor.

With Order of Eastern Star members tending to different portions of the program, guest speaker Rev. John K. Ponds, pastor of Oakley Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Trenton, delivered the morning’s message. He reflected on King’s work in life, the need to continue that work today and the ultimate sacrifice King made in his pursuit of justice for all people.

“Martin said, ‘We must learn to live together as brothers, or perish together as fools,’” Ponds said. “We now live in a climate where brotherhood is becoming less and less common every day.”

Pointing to the politically divisive atmosphere of the United States, Ponds urged unity and a focus on the humanity that binds.

“Dr. King said, ‘We may have all come on different ships, but we are all in the same boat now,’” Ponds said. “That’s one of my favorite quotes right there, because Dr. King was not just talking about the African-American ship, not just the slave ship, but the Hispanic ship, the Italian ship, the Irish ship, whatever ship you came in on to be in this great melting pot called the United States of America, we’re in the same boat now. We must realize that the greatest ship of all is fellowship.”

Following the service and a lunch at the church, a delegation marched from Spring Garden under police escort to lay a wreath at the corner of Gladden Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, just a few blocks away, singing “We Shall Not be Moved,” as they walked. After leading the group in “We Shall Overcome” and “Old-Time Religion,” Anthony Northern offered words of hope for those gathered.

“So many have given up their lives to have this day come and pass,” Northern said. “We had to fight so hard for the state of North Carolina and other states to recognize this as a national holiday. … We hope in later years, when we are gone back to the dust of the earth, some more young people will come and stand and recognize this moment in time that such a man gave his life for our freedom and the things we enjoy today, as we live in better homes and drive better cars and that we go where we want to go without having to go in the back door.”

This year’s program was chaired by Virgel Ross, with assistance from Joyce Moore, Annie Hooker, Carolyn Moore, Hagah Campbell, Delzora Albritton, John Rodgers, Queen Windley and Carrie Wilson.

The celebration at Spring Garden followed an event at Beaufort County Community College earlier that morning that featured Pastor Russell Wilkins, senior minister of St. John Church of Christ, and music from the St. John Church of Christ Ensemble.

According to a press release from BCCC, race-based disparities in education still exist in Beaufort County. Currently, 6% of African-American residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to 24% of white residents.

“In today’s world, equal opportunity is linked closely with access to higher education and workforce development,” the release states. “A post-secondary education, whether in the form of an industry-recognized credential, associate degree or bachelor’s degree, is key to entry into the middle class, as degree holders can expect to earn between 20-60% more than Beaufort County residents with only a high school diploma, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.”