The Christine King Farris Memorial Choir Inaugural Concert

CASSI DAVIS

DOTTIE PEOPLES

LYDIA PACE

MAESTRO DR. PATRICE E. TURNER KENNETH LOWE

JARVIS WILSON

TUWANNA WHATLEY

SUNDAY

SEPT

15TH 2024

AT 5:00 PM

AND CELEBRATING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CHRISTINE KING FARRIS

HANDBELL CHOIR DENISE WILLINGHAMHUEWITT, DIRECTOR

HISTORIC EBENEZER BAPTIST CHURCH HORIZON SANCTUARY · 101 JACKSON STREET, NE, ATLANTA, GA 30312 SPONSORED BY THE CHRISTINE KING FARRIS LEGACY FOUNDATION, INC. EBENEZER BAPTIST CHURCH, REV. DR. RAPHAEL G. WARNOCK, SENIOR PASTOR

The Christine King Farris Memorial Choir The founding of the Christine King Farris Memorial Choir was inspired by former members of the Ebenezer Baptist Church Martin Luther King Choir, an idea at the time of the homegoing celebrations for Dr. Christine King Farris.

Established in January 2024, the choir honors the memory of Dr. Christine King Farris, a long-time member of Ebenezer Baptist Church, co-builder of The King Center, Professor Emerita of Spelman College and daughter of Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Martin Luther King, Sr. The Choir is led by Artistic Director, Mr. Lanvester Jackson, and acknowledges Dr. Farris’ tireless leadership in the community. Today marks the inaugural concert of The Christine King Farris Memorial Choir, a fundraiser to support The Christine King Farris Legacy Foundation. The mission of

the Christine King Farris Legacy Foundation is to support college scholarships and to promote leadership development initiatives.

About Dr. Christine King Farris Willie Christine King was born to Reverend Martin Luther King, Sr. and Mrs. Alberta Williams King on September 11, 1927. Willie Christine King was the couple’s first child, named after her mother’s family name, Williams. She and her younger brothers, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Alfred Daniel (A.D.) King, were born in the family home (now “The Birth Home” of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site), originally owned by her grandparents, the Reverend and Mrs. Adam Daniel Williams.

Christine King Farris attended public and private schools in Atlanta, Young Street Elementary School, Atlanta University’s Oglethorpe Elementary, Laboratory High, and Booker T. Washington High School. She also attended Spelman College, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics in 1948. She earned a Master of Arts in the Social Foundations of Education (1950) and, a Master of Arts in Special Education (1958), both at Columbia University.

Dr. Farris devoted her life to her family, education, service, nonviolence, and her church. She worked for the Atlanta Public School System until she married the love of her life, Mr. Isaac Newton Farris, Sr. in 1960. She then began 56 years of service at Spelman College where she served as Associate Professor of Education and Director of the Learning Resources Center. She simultaneously served as the co-builder of the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, supporting the efforts of her sister-in-law, Coretta Scott King. Dr. Farris served as Vice Chair and Treasurer for The King Center for many, many years.

Christine King Farris was a life-long member and the longest serving, to date, of Ebenezer Baptist Church. Her work in Ebenezer included roles as producer for the Sunday morning televised worship service, wedding consultant and director, soloist in the choir, founder of the Christine King Farris Handbell Choir, and conduit for academic scholarships. She was also a member of Ebenezer’s Finance committee, Church Life and Program committee, September Club, and Trustee board.

Dr. Farris was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., The LINKS, Inc. and the National Alumnae Association of Spelman College. She was an author and the recipient of numerous awards for her significant contributions to society.

Dr. Christine King Farris was the mother of Isaac Newton Farris, Jr. and Angela Christine Farris Watkins and grandmother of Farris Christine Watkins. They are carrying on her distinguished legacy along with the countless other lives she touched in her own extraordinary way.

Order of Service Cassi Davis-Patton, Mistress of Ceremony Greetings Rev. Dr. Raphael G. Warnock ______________________________________________ Ebenezer Baptist Church Praise Team Dr. Patrice E. Turner, Director of Worship and the Arts Blessed Assurance Text: Fanny Jane Crosby Tune: ASSURANCE; Phoebe Palmer Knapp Every Praise Written by J. David Bratton and Hezekiah Walker ________________________________________________ The Christine King Farris Memorial Choir Lanvester Jackson, Artistic Director Praises Unto You – (Lanvester Jackson) Soloist: Tuwanna Whatley “I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works.”

Psalms 9: 1 (NKJV) He Made the Difference - (James Bignon) Trio: Marigny Young, Sharon Lee & Vivian Bradford “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV) He’s Not A Little Baby Anymore - (A. Jeffrey LaValley) Soloist: Jacqueline Martin “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 6:9 (NKJV) Marvelous – (Walter Hawkins) Soloist: Reverend Frank Brown Soprano: Cristel Camp & Angela Russell – Alto: Celita Hudson & Sharon Lee Contralto: Tamika Kelly & Carolyn Evans “…Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.” Psalms 139:14 (NKJV) ________________________________________________ Christine King Farris Handbell Choir Denise Willingham-Huewitt, Director Two Bell Tree Processionals by Louise Frier (Reenactment of 1995 Original Performance) Janice W. White, Bell Tree & Denise W. Huewitt, flute Mrs. Cynthia Terry, Director Emerita Blessed Assurance (With “Jesus, Joy of Man’s Desiring”) arr. By Cynthia Dobrinski Let There Be Peace on Earth arr. By Cynthia Dobrinsk Dr. Shalewa Thrash, Vocalist & Chelsi Lester, EBC Dance and Mime Ministry, Artistic Director Praise to the Lord Almighty arr. By Kevin McChesney

Special Presentation Rev. Dr. Raphael G. Warnock ________________________________________________________ Remarks Dr. Angela Farris Watkins – The Christine King Farris Legacy Foundation (daughter of Dr. Christine King Farris) The Offertory Appeal Reverend Timothy McDonald, Pastor First Iconium Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA Presentations

________________________________________________________ Dottie Peoples Gospel Recording Artist ____________________________________________________________ The Atlanta Chapter - Gospel Music Workshop of America (GWMA) Mass Choir Minister Reginal Jefferson, Director Please Be Patient With Me Arr. by James Cleveland I Know The Man Arr. by James Cleveland Minister Bradley Webb, Soloist ____________________________________________________________ The Christine King Farris Memorial Choir Lanvester Jackson, Artistic Director Show Me The Way – (John P. Kee) Soloist: Kenneth Lowe “I will instruct you and teach thee in the way which you should go; I will guide you with My eye.” Psalm 32:8 (NKJV)

Order My Steps – (Glenn Burleigh) Soloist: Jacqueline Lott Jackson “Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.”

Psalm 119:133 (KJV) Oh, How Precious – (Myrna Summers) Soloist: Lydia Pace “Oh Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy Name in all of the earth…” Psalm 8 (KJV) ________________________________________________ Piano Tribute to Alberta Williams King Jarvis Wilson _______________________________________________ Benediction ***Reception following the concert in the Roberts Fellowship Hall***

Members of the Christine King Farris Memorial Choir Lanvester Jackson, Artistic Director Phyllis Adams Rosalyn Barnes Jane Benjamin Bonner Sharaledon D. Brave Cristel Camp Tereon Cockfield Angela Dixon Carolyn Evans Joseph Gardner Cassandra Griffin Ada Lunceford Hamilton Gail Brown Hollin Gloria Jackson Anita Johnson Sherri Reed Jordan Tamika Kelly Sharon D. Lee Kenneth Lowe Jacqueline Martin Barbara N. Miller Alyson Morrissette Lydia Pace Judi Rodgers Kimberly Riley Smallwood Linda Smith Lydia Raglin Thomas Shalewa Thrash Tracey Victor Tuwanna Whatley Rita Wright Marigny L. Young

Dorothy L. Ashley Herschelle Adams Barrios Vivian Bradford Frank Brown Cynthia Carmichael Kelli Collins Brenda C. Evans Patrice K. Faison Juanita Gibbons-Delaney Cathy Griffin Patricia Hamock Celita Hudson Jacqueline Lott Jackson Susie Johnson Sandy Kangas Zina A. Knight Untra Lindsey Alice Henderson Malloy Camille McDonald Conrad Moore Angela V. Murphy Peggy Parker Angela V. Russell Gavert Smith Yvonne Smith William Thornton Donna Turner Timothy Wallace Laveda Williams Dana Wynn

Musicians William Hunter – Organ Carmel Brown – Piano Warren Lankford – Piano Kenneth Amos – Bass Guitar Lucretia Doyle – Drums

Members of the Christine King Farris Handbell Choir Denise Willingham-Huewitt, Director Katrina Farrow Mary Hughes Imani Mathis Amber Murray Candora Seay Leon Thompson Janice Willingham White

Carita Willingham Harvey Sherri Reed Jordan Alyson Morrissette Francene Riley Sabrina Simmons Lois Tunstall

Ebenezer Praise Team Dr. Patrice E. Turner, Director Chanel Austin Shawn Brooks Tasheera Dupree Patrice K. Faison Susie Johnson Alyson Morrissette Kennetta Renee Robertson

Michele Barnes Kelli Collins Carolyn Evans Joseph Gardner Camille McDonald Carol Osner Melva Williams

Musicians Kris Goodall, Piano Justice Michael, Drums Cori Stevenson, Hammond Organ Jeremy Thompson, Bass

Special Thanks Tameka Bell Lisa A. Brinson Barbara Brown Joseph Gardner Gail Hollin Deacon Jacqueline Lott Jackson Marsha Sampson Johnson Deaconess Connie Smith - Lindsey Rev. Timothy McDonald and First Iconium Church Cassi Davis-Patton Dottie Peoples Lydia Raglin Thomas Dr. Patrice E. Turner Rev. Dr. John H. Vaughn Rev. Dr. Raphael G. Warnock and Ebenezer Baptist Church Tamika Patton-Watkins The Atlanta Chapter of the Gospel Music Workshop of America The Ebenezer Ambassadors The Marie Hunter Usher Board The K Effect, Design & Printing

A FUNDRAISER BENEFITING SCHOLARSHIPS AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

DONATIONS ACCEPTED