Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. charged our world to lives of service when he stated, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?” To commemorate Dr. King’s vision for peace and justice, Stetson University’s Center for Community Engagement and Cross Cultural Center are partnering with local organizations to host a series of events to coincide with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day in mid-January.

SATURDAY, JAN. 16

MLK Gospel Choir

7:00-8:30 p.m., The Sanctuary Church in DeLand, 401 E. Taylor Road

Sponsored by a collective of local religious organizations, this concert will feature a full community Gospel Choir who will sing religious songs focusing on social justice and community empowerment, echoing the integration of religion and the civil rights movement during the 1960s under the leadership of Dr. King.

SUNDAY, JAN. 17

DeLand Community Worship Service

3:00-4:30 p.m., St. Peter’s Catholic Church in DeLand, 359 W. New York Ave.

Sponsored by a collective of local religious organizations, this nondenominational service will focus on themes related to social justice and community empowerment, echoing the integration of religion and the civil rights movement during the 1960s under the leadership of Dr. King.

MONDAY, JAN. 18

MLK Annual Breakfast

7:00-9:30 a.m., Hollis Center/Rinker Fieldhouse

A tradition at Stetson University and in DeLand for decades, the MLK Annual Breakfast is the signature event of the week for the entire Stetson and Volusia County communities, drawing over 600 guests. The Breakfast features powerful performances and speakers from local churches, non-profit organizations and civic groups who share their views on Dr. King’s legacy and the future of our community. Tickets are required to attend, but Stetson students can obtain tickets for free by contacting Dr. Patrick Coggins (Education, [email protected]), Dr. Luis F. Paredes (Cross Cultural Center, [email protected]) or Kevin Winchell (Center for Community Engagement, [email protected]) by Friday Jan. 15. A full breakfast will be served. Cultural Credit event.

Note: Following the Breakfast, attendees will be able to participate in the annual MLK Civil Rights March down Woodland Blvd., from Stetson University, south to Earl Brown Park.

Community Expo

10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Earl Brown Park in DeLand, 750 S. Alabama Ave.

Get free resources from local businesses and non-profits, find volunteer and internship opportunities and enjoy family-friendly entertainment with other members of the DeLand community.

Community Service Projects

9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (various times/shifts)

While MLK Day is an official federal holiday and the university will be closed Monday, Jan. 18, at Stetson, MLK Day is considered “a day ON, not off.” You are invited to join other students to make a difference in our local community on this Day of Service. Coordinated by the Center for Community Engagement, service projects will include:

• Setting up booths and running activities and games for youth at the Community Expo at Earl Brown Park
• Assisting with programs and operations at Bishop’s Glen retirement community.

Students interested in volunteering can sign-up at www2.stetson.edu/hattersync where all the opportunities, available shifts, and carpooling/transportation options are shown. Additional questions can be sent to Veronica Hernandez at [email protected].

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 20

Film Screening and Discussion – “Selma”

5:30-8:00 p.m., Library 25L (theatre in basement)

Join others to watch “Selma,” the Academy Award-winning chronicle of Dr. King’s campaign to secure equal voting rights via an epic march from Selma to Montgomery, Ala., in 1965. Following the movie, light refreshments will be served while participants discuss current issues in civil rights and political engagement. Cultural Credit event.

FRIDAY, JAN. 22

Big Questions Dialogue Series – “When do you take a stand?”

12:00-1:00 p.m., Allen Hall

Join others in discussion of the topic “When do you take a stand?” This topic will focus on how people respond to injustice using civil movements and other forms of activism, while helping participants explore motivations and methods for being activists themselves. Food and drinks will be provided. Cultural Credit event.