Monday, Jan. 19, is the Federal commemoration of the birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Last Sunday, Jan. 11, at the Ecumenical Service at Zion Lutheran Church (video available here), I quoted extensively from Dr. King’s Letter from Birmingham City Jail (April 16, 1963). I recommend that you read it, as well as the letter from the eight white clergymen to whom he was responding.
Towards the end of his letter, Dr. King proclaimed, “We must come to see that human progress never rolls in on wheels of inevitability. [Human progress] comes through the tireless efforts and persistent work of [people] willing to be coworkers with God.” And I asked in my sermon, “Are we willing to be tireless, persistent coworkers with God? Are we willing to try new things, take new risks for the sake of the Kingdom?”
Now, of course, no one human being is truly tireless. We all require rest, refueling and inspiration to persevere as coworkers with God. There are many ways to be inspired by Dr. King’s life, ministry and witness on this Dr. King birthday weekend. In our worship on Sunday morning, Jan. 18, at St. Stephen’s at 10 a.m. (in-person and online) we will use a litany developed by the Rt. Rev. Jeffrey Rowthorn, a contemporary of Dr. King’s and a mentor of mine, that incorporates some of Dr. King’s words into the Prayers of the People. We will also sing some hymns from the African-American Spiritual Tradition and be joined by a percussionist – my own daughter Lucille Danieley. If you have maracas, tambourines or other shakers, bring them, too! We can make a joyful noise together!
There are many community gatherings and celebrations. The closest, geographically, to St. Stephen’s and the Vine are:
- The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Observance at UMSL on Monday, Jan. 19, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- the Ferguson MLK Unity Tour, which includes various stops throughout the day on Monday, Jan. 19, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- The Garden Studio Cafe at Darst and N. Florissant will also be open for special Monday hours on January 19, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., especially so that people may pray and reflect in their gallery space.
Almighty God, by the hand of Moses your servant you led your people out of slavery, and made them free at last: Grant that your church, following the example of your prophet Martin Luther King, may resist oppression in the name of your love, and may strive to secure for all your children the blessed liberty of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
– Collect for the Feast of Martin Luther King, Jr., Pastor and Martyr, 1968, April 4