Micah Ecumenical Ministries and its partner churches will gather at 5:45 p.m. on April 5 at Shiloh Old Site (801 Sophia St.) for a public memorial service commemorating the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination.
As part of the evening, Micah will present its annual Drum Major for Justice Awards, recognizing local individuals who exemplify Dr. King’s call to servant leadership, justice, and mercy in our community.
This year’s honorees are:
- Florence Ridderhof, recognized for her lifetime of service, founding many grassroots organizations in the region that address domestic violence, homelessness, mental health and other justice issues.
- Dr. Paula Royster, honored for her extensive African American genealogical research, including identification of the ten earliest black families in Fredericksburg.
In celebration of their contributions, Micah’s nine downtown churches will make financial gifts to the nonprofits chosen by each honoree: the Jeremiah Community and the Fredericksburg Education Foundation. Others who would like to support these causes in Dr. Royster and Ms. Ridderhof’s honor can do so.
“This annual service is not only a time of remembrance, but a call to action,” Micah Ministries Executive Servant-Leader Meghann Cotter said in a press release. “Florence and Paula embody the kind of justice-centered, community-rooted leadership that Dr. King envisioned. We are honored to walk alongside them and lift up their work.”
The community is warmly invited to attend. No RSVP is required.
