Above: Reverend Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III, current
head of the Abyssinia Baptist Church in Harlem, led a delegation of
150 to Ethiopia in 2007 as part of the church’s bicentennial
celebration and in honor of the Ethiopian Millennium.
(At Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem on Sunday,
November 4, 2007. Tadias File).

PRNewswire

WASHINGTON, Nov 12, 2008 — The Abyssinian Baptist Church yesterday celebrated its 200th anniversary and its deep ties of friendship with Ethiopia. At a white-tie dinner gala at the uptown Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City, Ethiopia’s Ambassador to the United States Samuel Assefa was recognized as a special guest by Abyssinian Baptist Church Leader Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III.

“I was thrilled to join the Abyssinian Baptist Church to celebrate its 200th anniversary,” said Ethiopian Ambassador to the United States Samuel Assefa. “For two centuries the Abyssinian Baptist Church has played an integral role in helping strengthen Ethiopia’s relations with the United States and with the African-American community.”

The 200th Anniversary of the Abyssinian Baptist Church coincides with the celebration of the Ethiopian Millennium. The gala affair drew an impressive roster of political and civic leaders and celebrities. Former President Bill Clinton, Senator Hillary Clinton and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg joined Rev. Butts at the podium as speakers. President-Elect Barack Obama sent his greetings, which were delivered on his behalf by Sen. Clinton.

President Clinton spoke passionately about America’s strong relationship with Ethiopia, calling for the two countries to continue working closely together. He talked about Ethiopia’s rich history and described the glories of ancient and modern Ethiopia, pointing to the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela as a fitting example of Ethiopia’s timeless treasures and living monuments.

Honorary and event chairs and members of the benefit committee included actor/comedian Chris Rock, his philanthropist wife Malaak Compton-Rock, American Express CEO Ken Chenault and his philanthropist wife Kathryn Chenault, actors Latanya R. and Samuel L. Jackson and Vogue editor-at-large Andre Leon Talley. Emmy Award-winning and Academy Award-nominated actress Cicely Tyson and accomplished stage, television and film actor Avery Brooks served as the gala’s emcees.

The bicentennial celebration — Abyssinian 200: True to Our God, True to Our Native Land — marked the Abyssinian Baptist Church’s distinction as one of the oldest and most prominent African-American institutions in America. The 18-month bicentennial commemoration included a pilgrimage to Ethiopia to meet with senior Ethiopian officials.

SOURCE: Embassy of Ethiopia