“The radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty.”
A Day Set Aside
We set aside this day in January to recognize the life and work of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.
In doing so, we recognize that there is still much work to be done in “carrying the gospel of freedom,” to our communities, as King wrote in his Letter from a Birmingham Jail (link). In closing that same letter, King writes of his hope that “the deep fog of misunderstanding will be lifted from our fear drenched communities, and in some not too distant tomorrow the radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty.”
As Christians, we are called to continue the reconciling work of Martin Luther King, Jr. Click links below resources, activities, and ways to honor Martin Luther King Jr. throughout the month of February.
Resources for Churches or Educators
Martin Luther King Day of Service
Projects, lesson plans, and ideas from the Corporation for National and Community Service
The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change
Main website for “The King Center” in Atlanta, Georgia
Feast Day of Martin Luther King, Jr.
A synopsis of King’s life and work, as well as Bible readings and prayers. From the Episcopal book “Holy Women, Holy Men.”
The “I Have a Dream” Speech
From the U.S. Constitution website
There are a number of worship resources at Text Week.
Teaching Tolerance offers several reflections, Dr. King’s speeches, poetry and music.
explorefaith.org has a number of great resources and reflections to listen to from regarding the spiritual legacy of Dr. King from preachers and teachers whose ministries reflect his faith and vision.
Prayer Excerpt from Walter Brueggemann
We do not doubt that through him and beyond him, you, holy God of the prophets, are still pledged to justice and peace and liberty for all.
We remember Martin in gratitude . . . and chagrin. And we pledge, amid our stressed ambiguities, to dream as he did, to walk the walk, and to talk the talk of your coming kingdom.
We pledge, so sure that your truth will not stop its march until your will is done on earth as it is in heaven.
– “Martin Luther King” by Walter Brueggemann
Prayers for a Privileged People (2008: Abingdon Press)
