In a powerful demonstration of unity and remembrance, the Pastors of Suffolk County and the Ministerial Alliance of North Amityville and Vicinity are set to host a special celebration honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday on Sunday, December 19, 2025, at Amityville Memorial High School.

The two-hour evening celebration, scheduled from 6 PM to 8 PM, carries forward a cherished tradition first envisioned by the late Dr. Andy C. “Daddy” Lewter, a contemporary of Dr. King and beloved figure in the Amityville community. Dr. Lewter, who served as Pastor of the Hollywood Baptist Church for nearly half a century, recognized the importance of keeping Dr. King’s message alive for future generations.

“This celebration represents more than just remembrance – it’s about continuing the work of unity and justice that both Dr. King and my father dedicated their lives to,” says Bishop Andy C. Lewter, current pastor of the Hollywood Baptist Church and president of the Ministerial Alliance of North Amityville and Vicinity, who will deliver the keynote address at the event.

The celebration is being coordinated through the combined efforts of Bishop Walter Willie of the Prayer Tabernacle Church of God in Christ and Dr. Patricia Rickenbacker, pastor of the Living Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Massapequa. Their collaboration exemplifies the interfaith and community cooperation that Dr. King championed.

In an era marked by political polarization and social division, organizers see the celebration as particularly significant. “Dr. King’s message of unity, understanding, and peaceful dialogue is perhaps more relevant today than ever,” explains Dr. Rickenbacker. “This celebration serves as a reminder that we can bridge our differences through love and mutual respect.”

The timing of the celebration, coming amid national discussions about voting rights, racial justice, and economic equality, underscores the continued relevance of Dr. King’s vision. Bishop Willie emphasizes that the event aims to inspire actionable change: “We’re not just celebrating Dr. King’s birthday – we’re recommitting ourselves to his dream of creating a more just and equitable society for all Americans.”

The celebration will feature musical performances from local choirs, readings from Dr. King’s speeches, and testimonials from community members who witnessed the civil rights movement firsthand. Organizers expect the event to draw attendees from across Long Island, representing diverse faiths, backgrounds, and political beliefs.

For the Amityville community, the celebration holds special significance as it honors both Dr. King’s legacy and the local civil rights history embodied by Dr. “Daddy” Lewter’s decades of service. The elder Lewter’s friendship with Dr. King and his own civil rights work helped establish Amityville as a center for social justice activism on Long Island.

The celebration at Amityville Memorial High School on Merrick Road is open to the public, and organizers encourage families to bring children and young people to learn about this crucial chapter in American history and its continuing relevance to contemporary social justice movements.

As Bishop Lewter concludes, “In times of division, we must remember Dr. King’s words that ‘we are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.’ This celebration reminds us of our shared humanity and our collective responsibility to build a better future for all.”