20th annual MLK commemoration coming to South Whidbey

An annual South Whidbey celebration honoring Martin Luther King Jr. reaches a major milestone this year.

The “Blessed are the Peacemakers” MLK Day community event at St. Augustine’s in-the-Woods Episcopal Church in Freeland is celebrating its 20th year. The presentation begins at 1 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 19 at the church, with cookies and beverages provided before and after the event.

Last year, a record-breaking crowd of over 120 people attended the event, which happened to fall on the day of the second inauguration of President Donald Trump.

“I’m hoping we’ll have a similar interest this year and we’re really hoping that it strikes a chord with a younger audience,” Bill Skubi said. He is a parishioner of St. Augustine’s and a member of the Episcopal Peace Fellowship, which sponsors the event.

This year’s theme is “Nonviolent Resistance: From Martin Luther King to ‘No Kings’ and Beyond.” The annual gathering seeks to connect the 1960s Civil Rights Movement with current racial justice issues, and this year is no different. Interactive readings, music and TV visuals all come together to explain and celebrate nonviolent philosophy and actions. Included will be some footage from the “No Kings” rallies that have taken place on Whidbey and speakers who attended.

“It seems to have a great relevance in our time right now,” Skubi said of this year’s theme of nonviolent resistance.

At least five members from United Student Leaders, a coalition of students across Whidbey Island, plan to contribute to the presentation. They will be joined by individuals from Pamoja Place, a Whidbey organization dedicated to growing community and a sense of belonging for BIPOC – Black, Indigenous and People of Color. Music will be provided by local musician Barbara Dunne, who will be joined by Michael Laslett and some members of the St. Augustine’s choir.

“Music offers a special gift at this moment in time, it can help soothe weary spirits and give voice to upset over incredible injustice — as potent now as it was during the Civil Rights Movement,” Dunne said. “Expect to be inspired and uplifted by the music at this event!”

The featured speaker is Rev. Carla Robinson, the Diocese of Olympia’s Canon for Multicultural Ministry and Community Transformation. Skubi said Robinson is an inspiring speaker and has preached at St. Augustine’s before. Robinson is also the first openly transgender Black woman in her position with the church, according to past interviews she’s done on the subject.

LaChresha Jones-Mayes from Pamoja Place will present an interpretive dance. According to a press release about the event, Jones-Mayes described the dance as an “emotional expressive gospel story of triumphing and having confidence in God to overcome all that is set before you. The song alone feels like battle music but ultimately it’s about mentally conquering the things we cannot see and using our voices to speak our strength into existence.”

The event is open to all, regardless of religious background.

“We get a big influx of people who are from other churches and secular people as well, without church affiliation,” Skubi said.

St. Augustine’s-in-the-Woods Episcopal Church is located at 5217 Honeymoon Bay Road in Freeland.