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EMU Plans 'King Week' Celebration

Rev. Derrick Parson

"A Compassionate Faith: Courage to Move Forward" is the theme for Martin Luther King Jr. Week" observances at Eastern Mennonite University.

Activities will open 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 16 with a message and open discussion led by Rev. Derrick Parson, a campus minister in the United Methodist Church and Wesley Foundation at James Madison University. The forum will be held 10-11:30 a.m. in the Campus Center Greeting Hall.

Dr. Cheryl Sanders

Monday evening, the keynote speaker for the annual School for Leadership Training at Eastern Mennonite Seminary will bring a prophetic message on the continuing legacy of Dr. King.

Dr. Cheryl Sanders, senior pastor of Third Street Church of God in Washington, D.C., and professor of Christian ethics at Howard University School of Divinity, will speak on the theme, "Reconciliation and Repentance," based on II Cor. 5:17-21. (Read more on Dr. Sanders' speech.)

Sons of the Day, an a cappella group of EMU alumni and current students, will provide special music.

King Week observances continue with a "Dialog on Race: Steps of Hope," 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, in the Northlawn Great Lounge. EMU faculty, staff and students will share steps that can be taken to increase understanding of others despite cultural and ideological differences.

In university chapel 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, persons representing the diverse EMU community will reflect on values represented in Dr. King’s life and work and how they are attempting to live them out in their own lives. The EMU Gospel Choir will sing.

Activities will conclude with a worship service 9 p.m. Wednesday in the Suter Science Center Auditorium led by members of the Black Student Union and the EMU Gospel Choir with emphasis on the work of the African-American church during the Civil Rights Movement.

All activities of Martin Luther King Jr. Week at EMU are open to the public free of charge.

For more information, call the multicultural services office at 540-432-4458.

— article by: Jim Bishop; posted January 10, 2006