The UCM Alumni Memorial Chapel will fill with song and praise next week to remember Martin Luther King Jr.
The Warrensburg MLK Committee will host the church service at 6:30 p.m. Monday in the Chapel. The doors will open at 6 p.m.
Ed Wirthwein, chair of the MLK committee, said the service usually has 100 to 150 people attend. He said during the service, many community and student groups will perform musical acts to reflect on King’s past.
“It gives a chance to showcase their talents,” Wirthwein said. “It also gives a highlight to Dr. King’s work…Even though he’s been gone for a while now, it’s still important to remember the work he did to bring our nation together.”
Erica Collins, a member of the MLK Committee, said the service is free and open to the public.
“It is an evening where members of our community can come together and worship ecumenically,” Collins said.
Collins said pre-service music starts at 6 p.m. Once the service starts, there will be selections from worship teams from different churches around the community.
Pastor Patrick Edwards from First Baptist Church will host the service. There will be an inspirational message given by Arthur Kemp, UCM professor of psychological science.
Collins said there will also be a scholarship announcement of $500 hosted by the Warrensburg Ministerial Association, and the recipient of last year’s scholarship will speak about the scholarship.
Collins said it’s important for the community to gather and remember King’s message of acceptance. She said when she traveled to Jamaica for a mission trip, it reminded her of his message.
“It’s an encompassing environment where everybody is included and accepted,” she said. “And I think that most people walk away feeling very inspired…What I’ve learned by traveling all over is that no matter what color someone is, or their ethnic background or religion, we are all one in the same.”
The church service is one of many other events being put on by the Warrensburg MLK Committee for the Martin Luther King Jr. 2019 Celebration around the theme of “One Dream, One Nation: Moving Forward Together.”
