‘Gospel in the Cathedral’ is set for Sunday, Jan. 11

The Episcopal Cathedral of St. John is sponsoring a “Gospel in the Cathedral” concert to raise funds for the Martin Luther King, Jr., Family Outreach Center.

It will be held at 6 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 11, at the cathedral, 127 E. 12th Ave. 

In 2003, the last Gospel Concert at the cathedral had attracted a capacity crowd that filled standing room as well as seats, said organizer Rich Relyea.

“This year’s concert will be three times as entertaining and inspiring as the last Gospel Concert, because it features three gospel groups instead of one,” he said.

The groups are the Spokane Community Gospel Mass Choir, featuring Sharon Cowan; the Montana Trombone Chorale, and the Bethel B.A.S.I.C. Gospel Choir, featuring Elisha Mitchell.

Through directing the Spokane Community Gospel Mass Choir, Sharon seeks to share the message of God’s love.  She is also equity and community outreach services director at Community Colleges of Spokane, where she promotes unity and justice.  She seeks to educate, enlighten and empower people to speak up when they encounter prejudice, racism and cultural insensitivity.

Elisha, who is choir director at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Spokane, is also a composer, recording artist, inspirational speaker, teacher, volunteer and missionary.  She has produced several CDs of her music.

The Montana Trombone Chorale is an ensemble of six trombonists who have performed together for 16 years.  They perform music from Palestrina and Gabrieli to Bach and Haydn to 20th century composers, including American Spirituals, folk songs, jazz and swing.  They have toured Europe and in North America.

The Rev. Happy Watkins of New Hope Baptist Church will recite the “I Have a Dream” and “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speeches of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The concert benefits the Martin Luther King Jr. Family Outreach Center, which serves children, youth and families through educational, social, health, prevention and intervention programs. 

The center’s programs include: 1) Early Child Educational Assistance Program (ECEAP); 2) child care; 3) after-school programs; 4) summer programs for children, youth and teens to promote literacy, recreational activities and community service; 5) parent education and in home visitation, and 6) teen leadership programs.

For information, call 838-6131, 838-4277 or 325-SEAT.

Copyright © January 2009 - The Fig Tree