Christian Steagall, operations coordinator at the Georgia Innocence Project, keynoted the Martin Luther King Day commemoration organized Monday by Cooperstown’s First Presbyterian Church.
By Rev. SERENA JONES • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com
Editor’s Note: Rev. Dr. Serene Jones, Union Theological Seminary president, was stricken with COVID-19 and missed speaking at the installation of the First Presbyterian Church’s new pastor, Faith Gay, on Nov. 29. Instead, she delivered her sermon Sunday, Jan. 10, when the mob attack on the U.S. Capitol was fresh in everyone’s minds. This is an excerpt.
No one watching the storming of the Capital could miss the “Jesus Saves” sign bobbing up and down as windows were smashed and police attacked.
I have also heard the reports that in the House Chamber, the people gathered for prayer to thank Jesus for supporting them in their actions. They were on their knees lifting up praise to God for what they had wrought, justifying it with Divine sanction.
The Christian whiplash of these two scenes next to one another was excruciating, painful, and so very, very American.
…Today, I want to wade into those murky waters, because they aren’t just headline topics, these tensions live within the heart and mind of everyone who claims the name “Christian” in this nation.
SUGARING OFF – 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. Enjoy full pancake breakfast in the morning then contemporary, historic demonstrations of maple sugar production. Admission, $10/adult. The Farmers’ Museum, Cooperstown. 607-547-1450 or visit www.farmersmuseum.org/stec_event/sugaring-off-sundays/0
FILM – 6:30 p.m. Visit exhibit ‘Duane Michals: The Portraitist’ then enjoy film, starting at 7, connected to exhibit with introduction. This week “Bram Stokers Dracula” with Francis Ford Coppola & Tom Waits (Rated R). Cost, $7/non-member. Fenimore Museum, Cooperstown. 607-547-1400 or visit www.fenimoreartmuseum.org
QUILT SHOW – 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Celebrate 25th year of the annual quilt show at Silver Jubilee. Features 300+ quilts from artists across the country with featured quilter Jim Bryden in Tudor style historic inn. Lunch available. Proceeds benefit roof project. Admission, $5/person. The Major’s Inn, 12 Marion Ave., Gilbertsville. 607-783-2780 or visit www.themajorsinn.com
SPRING FESTIVAL – 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Copes Corners Park Spring Fest offers family-fun events, fishing derby, zoomobile, ice cream social & more. FREE. RV & tent camping available Fri & Sat nights, $10 RV $5 tent. 620 NY-51, Gilbertsville. Info, 607-783-2203, copescornerspark.org
HEALTH EXPO – 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Lectures, panels and presentations on everything from Rabies and Lyme Disease awareness to substance abuse and mental health awareness. Foothills Performing Arts Center, Oneonta. 607-547-4230, www.LHEOtsego.com
CONTRADANCE – 7:15 p.m. Monthly contradance. Music by Traverse, Ed Bugel calls. First Presbyterian Church, Cooperstown. Suggested donation, $8 adults, $4 students/kids, $20 family. 607-965-8232, 607-547-8164.
CONTRADANCE – 7:30 p.m. Fun social dance featuring music by Erik House and Friends, Peter Blue calling. Arrive at 7:15 for introduction to steps. Admission, $8/adult. First Presbyterian Church, 25 Church St., Cooperstown. 607-547-8164 or visit www.otsegodancesociety.blogspot.com/
Historical markers commemorating New York State’s freeing the slaves in 1827 and Susan B. Anthony’s visit to Cooperstown in 1855 greeted attendees at this evening’s Special Worship Service marking Martin Luther King Jr. Day, now underway at this hour at First Presbyterian Church, Cooperstown. Inset, the Rev. LaDana Clark, Oneonta, sings out a rendering of “I’m Going To Praise My God All Over This Land.” Attendees, who read and listened to excerpts on the history of race relations in Otsego County, included Lee Fisher, NAACP/Oneonta chapter president. (Jim Kevlin /AllOTSEGO.com)
COOPERSTOWN – Ralph James Veenema, M.D., former chief of urologic oncology at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City, passed away Friday, Dec. 14, 2018, at Covenant Village, Cromwell, Conn. He was 97.
Dr. Veenema and his wife retired to Cooperstown in 1997.
Born Dec. 13, 1921, in Prospect Park, N.J., he was the son of Ralph and Sadie (Van Dyke) Veenema. He had three brothers and a sister.
HOLIDAY BAZAAR – 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. ‘Tip Toe Through The Holiday’ features items for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentines Day. Includes gifts, decorations, crafts, more. Lunch available. Elm Park United Methodist Church, 401 Chestnut St., Oneonta. 607-432-6552 or visit elmparkumconeonta.org
CONTRADANCE – 7:30 p.m. Fun social dance featuring music by Tailwind, caller Hilton Baxter. Arrive at 7:15 for introduction to steps. Admission, $8/adult. First Presbyterian Church, 25 Church St., Cooperstown. 607-547-8164 or visit otsegodancesociety.blogspot.com