Martin Luther King Day

We invite you to remember and celebrate the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr this weekend and on Monday, the national holiday. You can do so in several different ways:

1. Watch one or more of the services/speakers/events being livestreamed at famous Episcopal churches:
2. The King Center in Atlanta is hosting the Martin Luther King Jr. Beloved Community service with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry as the keynote speaker, Monday 10am-1pm EST. Live on the King Center YouTube, Facebook and website. 
3. All Saints Atlanta will have a Sunday morning of events including Black Preaching in the Episcopal Tradition, a special service with musicians form Ebenezer Baptist Church- Dr. King’s church and a discussion of his life and legacy. https://allsaintsatlanta.org/event/1950676-2021-01-17-martin-luther-king-jr-sunday/
4. Grace Cathedral in San Francisco is hosting a “Toward Justice” zoom event at 6pm Sunday EST with prayer and conversation to analyze and thoughtfully question assumptions about King and faith, community and society https://gracecathedral.org/calendar-events/king-and-faith/
5. Washington National Cathedral will have two events, a special MLK JR service on Sunday at 11:15am https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qc6gmVKevDg and a service with school children and a speech by Dr. King’s granddaughter, Yolanda Renee King on Tuesday at 9am https://cathedral.org/event/remaining-awake-a-service-in-observance-of-dr-martin-luther-king-jr-day/
6. Engage in an act of service on Monday as part of the National Day of Service. MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities. We had several group service projects planned, but agencies have had to cancel due to the covid surge. We will have two opportunities for small groups of people to engage in. We are assembling birthday in a bag kits for children in need in our community. Bring items like boxes of cake mix, tubs of frosting, candles, decorative plates, napkins, décor and party favors for children to church this weekend and place in the red buckets. At 10am on Monday a few people are needed to assemble the bags in the parish hall, coordinated by Cindy Brown. Please let Cindy or Sue know if you will be coming. Also, Jerry Davenport is coordinating a few people to work with CHR at some of their properties doing tree trimming outside, and a couple people are needed to tear up carpet in a home. If you have the physical ability to help, please contact Jerry Davenport 319-360-7155. Again, spaces are limited for these projects.
7. You can also engage in your own personal acts of service this weekend to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King. Here are some ideas:

• Prepare a meal, muffins or other treat for someone you know
• Write inspirational notes and drop off to your neighbors or place in the mail
• Bring someone coffee or tea in the morning
• Pick flowers and make a beautiful bouquet for someone
• Make a homemade blanket, scarf, or other item
• Do a chore for someone else that they might have trouble doing
• Introduce yourself to new neighbors and give them your contact information
• Beautify your neighborhood by collecting litter on walks and recycling it
• Come up with your own act of service

I am also pleased to inform you that we are moving ahead with our Neighborhood Conversation gatherings beginning next week. These are opportunities to gather to learn about our budget and our plans for the coming year. There is an article in this Friday Brief with details about dates, locations and how to RSVP to attend. Hope to see you at a Neighborhood Conversation gathering!

Be Safe and Well,

Bill+