Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Brunch at South Church on Sunday, January 21

Three-decade tradition of benefit brunch honors locals and raises funds for CLUSTER

The Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Brunch, benefitting CLUSTER Summer Day Camp for children from low-income or homeless families in southwest Yonkers, is Sunday, January 21, at 11 am, at South Presbyterian Church in Dobbs Ferry. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Reservations link here.

The brunch follows South Church’s worship service at 10:00 am which will honor Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy. All are welcome.

While 2024 marks the 33rd year South Church and CLUSTER have collaborated on the community brunch, this year’s gathering honors the memory of the two men who started the tradition: Ken Barton and Richard Lewis.

“The Martin Luther King Jr. Brunch was the creation of our Church in the World Committee, initiated by Ken Barton and Richard Lewis, South Church members who died this past year,” said Linda Jo Platt, a longtime member of South and Director of Community Nursery School.

For many of the benefit brunches over the past decades, Barton and Lewis could as easily be found checking in attendees at the door as serving pancakes.

Kenneth Barton, a long-time resident of Dobbs Ferry and for many years an administrator at Riverdale Country School, was keenly interested in issues regarding social justice and civil rights. He was an active member of South Church and served on the church’s Fair Housing committee. Barton was also Board Chairperson of CLUSTER in Yonkers. In addition, he served on the Dobbs Ferry Ethics Committee and the Friends of Wickers Creek.

Richard Lewis, who raised his family in Hastings, was passionate about education and knew how vitally important it was that students see him, a Black man, teaching math. In addition to teaching at Gorton High School, he taught part-time at the Educational Opportunity Center, a part of SUNY Westchester; taught inmates at the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility for Women and established an after-school program and a summer day camp at CLUSTER.

“Richard was so adept in getting things accomplished through his sheer belief in the goodness of others,” said Platt. “He never saw an obstacle that couldn’t be overcome when planning the Martin Luther King Jr. Sunday service and brunch.

She recalled that Lewis sourced the donations of food to be served, the talent to sing and preach at the service and the volunteers young and old to get it all done.

“The annual brunch at South Presbyterian Church has become a cherished tradition that brings the community together to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr,” said Freda Macon, Executive Director of CLUSTER. “The event promotes unity, justice and social progress, values that Ken Barton and Richard Lewis held dear. We are grateful for the generosity and support of the South Church community, which has consistently championed our cause.”

“We are honored to host this vision-casting for peace and justice,” said South Church’s Minister Margery Rossi.