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Dear Cal Lutheran Community,
Next week, we commemorate and honor the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who served as a beacon of hope to African Americans, the nation's working class, and the oppressed around the world. As a religious leader, social activist, and civil rights luminary, he sought to achieve the Great American Experiment — freedom, justice, and equality for all — until his life was tragically ended with an assassination on April 4, 1968. Fifty-five year later, his legacy continues to inspire us today.
Dr. King believed in The Beloved Community. This is a community where human decency prevails and everyone is cared for. It is a place where racism, discrimination, poverty, hunger, and homelessness are not tolerated because a global standard of generosity takes hold. The characteristics of Dr. King’s Beloved Community align precisely with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) values we prioritize: grace, generosity, inclusion, and service to neighbor. Indeed, Dr. King’s notion that “everybody can be great because everybody can serve” reinforces the Lutheran concept of service to neighbor. This is the community we strive to be.
We will kick off our celebration of Dr. King’s life and legacy on January 17 with a reflection and commemoration worship service. This tribute service will include spoken word, music, ministry, and a special message of hope by our university pastor, Rev. Scott Hamilton Adams. A preview of Rev. Scott’s uplifting message is available here.
Two days later, on January 19 at 11:25 am, Campus Ministry invites us to a special service during our regularly scheduled Sabbath Hour of worship in Samuelson Chapel. This program has been designed to both reflect on the spiritual life of Dr. King and his legacy of social justice and to kick off Black History Month. Following the service, you are invited to a light lunch on the Chapel patio. Afterwards, please join the service project we have coordinated for that day. From 12:30 - 2:00 pm we will be assembling — right on the Chapel patio — lunches for those in the Conejo Valley who are experiencing homelessness.
As we move into February and celebrate Black History Month, we will honor the contributions and sacrifices of African Americans who have helped shape the nation. We will spotlight Black achievement, excellence and culture, which are an enduring part of our country's history. And we will learn even more about the ideals Dr. King supported so vigorously: justice, equality, freedom and democracy, and shared humanity.
This year’s programs — as outlined in the attached flyer — are being co-sponsored by the Office of Talent, Culture, and Diversity (TCD), and the Center for Cultural Engagement and Inclusion (CCEI), in partnership with Mission and Identity, Pearson Library, Sodexo, student groups and various departments across campus.
I look forward to seeing you at these activities.
In community,
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