Planning has begun for a January 21, 2013 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration event at St. Paul's UMC.

Our first planning meeting for our 2013 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration was held last Tuesday night at. St. Paul's UMC, as Jerry Matchett, our chair, and other members of the planning committee meet.

We want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving this week.

Remember to mark down in your calendars this year's Dr. MLK Jr. Celebration event.  It will be held Monday, January 21, 2013 at 7 p.m. at St. Paul's UMC.  The public is invited to this event.

Our next planning meeting will be Tuesday, November 27th at St. Paul's UMC.

Celebrating the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday at St. Paul's UMC at 7 p.m. on Monday, January 16, 2012

The public is welcome at the 2012 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration at St. Paul's UMC at 7 p.m. The 13Th annual Dr. Percy and Lileah Harris “Who Is My Neighbor?” award will be presented at the service. Everyone is urged to come to this celebration of the ideals of peace, justice and relationships with our neighbors.

Earlier on Monday, the MLK holiday in Cedar Rapids, a joint meeting of the United Way of East Central Iowa and the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids celebrated the MLK holiday with the 26Th annual Remembering Martin Luncheon.

Washington High School's 'Slice of Jazz' provided the musical program, while the Honorable Romonda D. Belcher, District Associate Judge and first African-American female judge in the State of Iowa provided the keynote address. Also, 22 local high school and ninth graders were honored with student awards and a leadership conference in the afternoon.

Other news in the Cedar Rapids community on this MLK Holiday. As reported: "At the Wellington Heights Neighborhood Association, volunteers were also out using the day to serve others by caulking cracks in an effort to weatherize their building." - KGAN CBS2.

Monday, January 16Th Remembering Martin Luncheon, then the 13th annual "Who Is My Neighbor" Award at the MLK Day Celebration at St. Paul's UMC at 7 PM

This Monday, January 16Th, our Nation and community will celebrate the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday.

In Cedar Rapids, there are two popular events that have become a tradition in our community. The 26Th Annual Remembering Martin Luncheon at the Hotel at Kirkwood at 11:30 a.m., as well as the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration on Monday evening at St. Paul's UMC at 7 p.m.

The St. Paul's UMC event is open to the public and there is no charge to attend, though a free will offering is taken.

Next Monday's Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Service

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - JANUARY 10, 2011

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church Hosts Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Service
Honoring the Legacy of Dr. King through a Humanitarian Award and the Voices, Talents, and Dreams of Children

Monday, January 17, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
1340 Third Avenue SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa


Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. dreamed that we would live in a world where his children would “not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” At the Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Service, we will Remember Dr. King’s words, Celebrate our dreams for the future, and Act to make these dreams a reality.

This year, a special message for children is included in this uplifting service as well as the formal recognition of members of the newly established “Civil Rights Youth Advisory Panel.”

Keynote Speaker, Karl Werner will share innovative approaches he uses in Cedar Rapids Schools to help students understand the importance of diversity in learning. His programs have garnered many accolades and awards around the country.

The Martin Luther King Planning Committing is proud to recognize this year’s Percy and Lileah Harris “Who Is My Neighbor” award recipient. This award is “In recognition of a lifelong faith commitment to living in harmony with others and to promoting equality and social justice in the community.”

Magnificent music has always been a component of this celebration service and this year is no different. Come enjoy the musical talents of The Chorale Midwest, Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church Men’s Choir, and the Gospel Choir from Johnson Elementary School of the Arts.

We invite you to Remember, Celebrate, and Act on the words and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Contact:
Jerry Matchett matchett.jerry@gmail.com
or Stefanie Robinson S.Robinson@cedar-rapids.org
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
1340 Third Avenue SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
319-363-2058
http://stpaulsumc.org/

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It's the final weekend in August: Where did our Summer go?

Most students are back to school or college. It's been a busy Summer for many. We have celebrated two years, since the Flood of 2008 in our community. Some neighbors are still on that road to recovery or simply still struggling.

Prep Football begins this weekend. Autumn will soon be upon us, as we celebrate Labor Day next weekend.

As we move towards the changing of another season, we will be one step closer to our 2011 Dr. Martin Luther King Day Celebration Event at St. Paul's UMC.

Have a safe and enjoyable weekend everyone!

Who Is My Neighbor

It's been two months, since our 2010 Percy and Lileah Harris 'Who Is My Neighbor' award was presented to Leslee Sandberg

Spring has arrived here in Cedar Rapids and Eastern Iowa ...

A couple of months back we celebrated the 2010 The Percy and Lileah Harris Who is My Neighbor award at our Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration Event ...




Award winner a model for helping others - The Gazette
Jan 19, 2010 ... Breaking news and headlines for eastern Iowa, Cedar Rapids and Iowa City including ... Leslee Sandberg, Who Is My Neighbor award winner ...

Who is my neighbor!

Congratulations to our Award Winner, Leslee Sandberg and Thank You to all for our 2010 event at St. Paul's UMC

In the Iowa Today section of The Gazette print edition, the headline said "Honoree a model for helping others."

Here's the link to the story online ...

Award winner a model for helping others - The Gazette
Someone like Leslee Sandberg is just who the Percy and Lileah Harris Who is My Neighbor Award was meant for.“It’s just about helping one another, and being there when there is a person at need,” said Jerry Matchett, a lay leader at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in southeast Cedar Rapids.Matchett presented the 10th Harris [...]

Leslee Sandberg

Congratulation to our 2010 Dr. Percy and Lileah Harris "Who Is My Neighbor" Award winner: Leslee Sandberg. It was an enjoyable program on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday this year. Thank you to all who participated in this year's program and we hope you will remember 2011 and our next Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Event.

Who Is My Neighbor

Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration Event at St. Paul’s UMC at 7 p.m. with tonight's program

The Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at St. Paul's' promises to be another inspiring program filled with music, the teachings of Jesus, Words of Dr. King and we will feature three local speakers from our local community, and the presentation of the Percy and Lileah Harris "Who is My Neighbor” Award. The 11Th annual award will be presented during the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at St. Paul’s UMC on January 18, 2009 at 7:00 pm.

Instead of one keynote speaker at this year’s event, we decided to highlight Who Is My Neighbor through the stories of Tom Darden of Bethel AME Church, Courtney Ball and Clint Twedt-Ball of Matthew 25 Ministries and Tom Moore of the African American Museum of Iowa. All these people and/or organizations have been impacted or involved in flood recovery from the historic Flood of 2008.

Plan to attend this year's celebration - to be inspired by this year’s message from our community; to hear the music of the Gospel Choir of Johnson School of the Arts and of Mt. Zion's Men's Choir and of St. Paul's Music Ministry; to celebrate the new honoree of the "Who is My Neighbor Award" - and all to be done as a reminder of the enduring contributions of Dr. King.

Who's My Neighbor Award

In the January, 2000, the first Percy and Lileah Harris "Who is My Neighbor" Award was presented to Dr. and Mrs. Harris and all future awards will carry their name. The award plaque reads "In recognition of a lifelong faith commitment to living in harmony with others and to promoting equality and social justice in the community.” This year’s award will be the tenth award presented at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at St. Paul’s.

"Who is My Neighbor" is based on the story of the Good Samaritan Jesus told in response to the question, "Who is my neighbor?" Dr. King also used the story of the Good Samaritan in his final speech in Memphis just before he was assassinated in 1968.

The recipient of the award needs to meet these criteria:

1. Acts out of a religious faith base
2. Is caring and compassionate.
3. Is community oriented.
4. Is a good neighbor to all.
5. Lives within Linn County.

You are cordially invited to attend the public celebration on January 18, 2010 at 7 pm. This year’s program promises to continue our great tradition, the music and a dramatic reading of Martin Luther King Jr.’s words. St. Paul’s United Methodist Church is located at 1340 Third Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids,Iowa.

http://www.cedarrapidswhoismyneighbor.blogspot.com/

One week away from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day ...

Monday, January 11, 2010 ...

One week from today, two celebration events in our community:

The "Remembering Martin Luther King Luncheon" is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids and the United Way of East Central Iowa. This event will honor 20 area students at the annual Remembering Martin Luther King Luncheon. This event is at 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m on Monday, January 18, 2010.

Our Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration Event will be at 7 p.m. on Monday, January 18, 2010 at St. Paul's UMC at 1340 Third Avenue SE in Cedar Rapids, IA 52403. We invite everyone to attend this community event of music, our keynote speakers from our community, the teachings of Jesus and the words of Dr. King.

Who is my Neighbor?

peace