"A Compassionate Faith: Courage to Move Forward" is the theme for " observances at 草莓社区.

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. ()

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

It almost sounded like Martin Luther King Jr. was at the podium, his gift of powerful oratory resounding across Lehman Auditorium at 草莓社区.

Derrick Parson, campus pastor with the Wesley Foundation at neighboring James Madison University, drew excerpts from several of the late minister and civil rights leader’s memorable speeches in a chapel program Monday, Jan. 17, to formally open King Week activities at EMU.

Speaking extemporaneously but with great feeling, Parsons reflected on King’s life and legacy and his view of reconciliation.

Derrick Parson reflects on the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., including giving excerpts from memory from the late civil rights worker’s memorable speeches.
Photo by Jim Bishop

Quoting the scripture, “to whom much is given, much will be required,” he said that King truly believed this and lived it out.

“Martin believed that unqualified love and forgiveness could change the world, turning enemies into friends,” Parsons said. “He prayed forgiveness on those who opposed him and his message.”

Noting that King wrote six books and scores of articles in his 13 years of public ministry after completing graduate school at age 26, Parsons encouraged his audience to read King’s writings “to see how he reflected the live and teachings of Christ’s reconciling love.”

Parsons closed by giving from memory the speech that King wrote for his own funeral in 1968, calling on his audience to “ask how you can make a difference in our world by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

The campus ministries department at EMU joined hands with the multicultural services office to plan a combined spring Spiritual Life/Martin Luther King Week. Activities on the program theme, “Worship and Walk Side by Side,” will continue through Friday, Jan. 21, and include a coffeehouse, panel discussions, an “agape” meal, film showing, a candlelight worship service and communion.

Activities on the program theme, "Worship and Walk Side by Side," will be held Jan. 14-21 on campus. All events are open to the community.

* The motion picture, "Ray," based on the life of blind musical genius Ray Charles and starring Jamie Fox, will be shown 10 p.m. Fri., Jan. 14 and 10 p.m. Jan. 15 in EMU’s Suter Science Center Auditorium. General admission to the film, rated, PG-13, is $2.50 at the door.

* A worship service in the African-American worship style will be held 10:30 a.m. Sun., Jan. 16 at Court Square Theater, downtown Harrisonburg. The service will celebrate "oneness in Christ" and honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Vans will leave campus at 10:15 a.m. from the main entrance to the University Commons (along Park Road).

* A fellowship meal sponsored by the multicultural services office will be held 1 p.m. Sun. in Martin Chapel of the seminary building. Persons should be a dish to share; all are welcome.

* "Thirstborne," a five-member contemporary Christian music band, will present a concert of worship and original music 7 p.m. Sun., Jan. 16 in EMU’s Lehman Auditorium. Group members met at Hesston (Kan.) College and are on a nationwide tour, sharing their testimonies in music and presenting Christian service opportunities. The concert is co-sponsored by Mennonite Mission Network and EMU campus ministries. Admission is free; donations are welcomed for the Campus Ministries Compassion Fund.

* Derrick Parson, campus pastor with the Wesley Foundation at James Madison University, will speak in university chapel 10 a.m. Mon., Jan. 17, in Lehman Auditorium on the theme, "What do Martin Luther King and Jesus Christ teach us about reconciliation?" A campus prayer walk at 9 a.m. will precede the chapel service. Participants should meet at the fountain on front campus.

* Persons will be invited to share stories, give readings and lead songs of faith, struggle and reconciliation at an "open mike coffeehouse" 8 p.m. Mon., Jan. 17, in the Common Grounds Coffeehouse on lower level of the University Commons.

* A panel comprised of local pastors, faculty, staff and students will respond to the question, "How did Christ handle differences," at 8 p.m. Tues., Jan. 18, in the Common Grounds Coffeehouse.

* Regina Shands Stoltzfus, co-founder of the Mennonite Church USA Damascus Road Team initiative, will tell stories in university chapel 10 a.m. Wed., Jan. 19, in Lehman Auditorium. from her ministry of dismantling racism and building relationships across races and cultures.

* A Taize worship service of scripture readings, contemplation, singing and prayer will be held 9 p.m. Wed. in the Discipleship Center at the south end of Hillcrest Drive adjacent to radio station WEMC-FM.

* An "Agape" (love) meal that includes communion will be held 5 p.m. Thur., Jan. 20 in the east dining room of the university cafeteria.

* A "coming together" worship service using a variety of styles will follow at 9 p.m. Jan. 20 in Martin Chapel of the seminary building.

* A candlelight service at 10 a.m. Fri., Jan. 21, in Lehman Auditorium will conclude the week’s activities. Students from a variety of backgrounds, clubs and perspectives will reflect on the week’s events and emphases on healing, reconciliation and spiritual renewal.

"Our hearts’ desire is to bring people of diverse cultural, theological and church/worship-style backgrounds together in the love and nurture of Christ," Brian Martin Burkholder, EMU campus pastor, said of the week’s activities. "We truly hope that students, faculty and staff and the larger community will heed the call to worship and walk side-by-side in this unique theme week and in the days following.

"Doing so, however, will mean getting out of comfort zones to eat, worship and dialogue amidst our differences," he added.

For more information check the Spiritual Life Week event schedule or contact the campus ministries office at 540-432-4196.