North Park Commemorates Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with Call to Action
Worship service and ‘teach-ins’ led by students, faculty, and staff
CHICAGO (January 21, 2015) — With recent events in Ferguson, Missouri, and New York City, North Park University’s annual commemoration of the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday focused on the opportunities presented in this particular moment in history
“We know there is work to be done because there is inequality in our nation,” said Rev. Velda Love, director of justice and intercultural learning at North Park University, in her welcome address to the audience in Anderson Chapel. “We know there is work to be done because there is police brutality in communities of color.”
Ramelia Williams, a student at North Park Theological Seminary, echoed the call to action. “If we paid attention we might see the miracle of this millennial moment, a moment that has raged righteous anger like a fire storm across this nation.”
Their voices were part of Monday’s event, “What is Civil—What is Right? A Millennial Response.” The day included a worship service with music from the North Park University Gospel Choir and guest musician Bryan Johnson from Trinity United Church of Christ, Chicago. An emotional rendition of Sweet Honey in the Rock’s “The Women Gather,” performed by North Park students and staff, opened the service.
Rev. Dr. Karen E. Mosby, pastor of pastoral care and administration at Second Baptist Church in Evanston, Ill. spoke on the importance of intergenerational leadership in building momentum within a new social movement.
“Out of the context of the perilous moments of 2014—which you have already heard here today—came a movement led by a new generation,” said Mosby. “I believe the legacy of Dr. King demands that we stop looking for another King and begin embracing the prophets that God has raised up in this millennial generation. To do so we must be willing to stop looking at the mountain tops long enough to gaze into the streets and classrooms where God is doing a new thing.”
Following the service, North Park students gathered in discussion groups guided by social justice leaders from organizations including the Chicago International Youth Peace Movement and Trinity United Church of Christ. Sessions included, “Civil Rights Movement: Then and Now,” “Millennial Activism is Here to Stay,” and “De-Spiritualizing Non-Violent Resistance.”
“This movement is not led by the voice of the majority race or minority race,” Ramelia Williams said. “Millennials move forward in persistence with a proactive voice that is louder and stronger than their individual voice.”
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