Dear Cal Lutheran Community,
This coming Monday marks the annual commemoration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a leader who dedicated his life to non-violent resistance and equality for African Americans and other oppressed peoples. As a minister, social activist, and civil rights luminary, he gave voice to the voiceless and shined a light on pressing issues we continue to address today.
Dr. King’s Beloved Community was a place where individuals are honored, loved and celebrated not in spite of their differences, but because of them. He envisioned this community to be one where all are afforded dignity, respect and the opportunity to realize their full potential. This vision aligns precisely with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) values that we prioritize here at Cal Lutheran: grace, generosity, inclusion, curiosity, and service to neighbor.
Along with his other defining passions, Dr. King was deeply committed to education. In an op-ed he authored as a student at Morehouse College in 1947, he stated that "The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically… [education] gives one not only the power of concentration, but worthy objectives upon which to concentrate.”
We are a university that values diversity and pays homage to those who have dedicated their lives to improving the lives of their neighbor. As such, we invite you to join us in celebrating with the African Descent Lutheran Association of Los Angeles the legacy of Dr. King’s life. This Association is holding their 44th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Worship Service right here on our beautiful campus! The service will begin at 3 pm on Sunday, January 14th in the Samuelson Chapel. Light refreshments will be served afterwards.
The Association is inviting a number of middle and high school students to join in Sunday’s worship service. Knowing these guests will be on our campus, Cal Lutheran has volunteered to host them at a short "College Connection” program before the services start. If you would like to attend this informal program and introduce yourself to some of our local youth, please register, don your name tag, and stop by Ullman 100 from 2:00-2:45 on that same day. Dean of Admissions, Falone Serna, will be engaging the youth in a conversation about “getting ready for and going to college.”
Later in the week, on Jan. 18 at 11:25 am, Campus Ministry invites you to a special service during our regularly scheduled Sabbath Hour. This program, again in the Samuelson Chapel, will give us an opportunity to reflect on the spiritual life of Dr. King and his legacy of social justice. Following this service, you are invited for refreshments on the Chapel patio.
We look forward to seeing you at these activities.
In Community,
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