Resources for Worship and Education for Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend – Sunday, January 16, 2022

January 11, 2022 By in Uncategorized Leave a comment

Greetings! On January 8, the Racial Justice Team of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America hosted a virtual networking event. We had a group of 11 folks who gathered to meet each other, and to share helpful educational and worship resources. I decided to capture everything here in my blog. I hope these might be helpful to you!

Video Resources for Martin Luther King Jr.’s Work on Socio-Economic Justice

While MLK is best-known for his work toward racial equality and fighting against discrimination, he started to realize that one of the biggest underlying causes of racism is socio-economic injustice. Here are some videos to help you become more familiar with MLK’s thought, and to learn more about the Poor People’s Campaign, which he helped to found. These may also be useful in an adult class or Sunday school meeting:

Video Resources for Martin Luther King Jr.’s Protest against the Vietnam War

Another important issue about which MLK spoke out, was in opposition to the Vietnam War. Here are some videos to help you better understand his viewpoint, and why this was so important to him. These may also be useful in an adult class or Sunday school meeting:

Lift Every Voice and Sing

Known as the “Black National Anthem”, and featured in some hymnals, Lift Every Voice and Sing is a powerful testament to generations of struggle for equality, and a prayer for God to continue to sustain us in our ongoing work for racial justice. Here is some background information about the hymn and text, and some links to videos with lyrics, so that you can hear and sing along to it:

Worship and Liturgical Resources

Here are a collection of resources from various Christian denominations, for liturgies and other parts of worship around the commemoration of MLK. Feel free to use any of this material, or perhaps it might serve as inspiration to your planning in your own congregational context:

Ideas for Celebrating and Honoring Black History Month – February, 2022 – Worship and Education

  • A children’s message each Sunday could focus on black leaders and innovators, activists and athletes, and the role they black in history. Examples – Fannie Lou Hamer (activism), Bessie Coleman (aviation), Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler (1831-1895).
  • Consider incorporating Negro Spirituals into your worship service, including the history of the hymn and as “royalties” you could donate money to an organization that supports young black musicians – our future.
  • For a Sunday School or other educational program, consider watching and discussing this PBS series that explores the history and culture of the Black Church https://www.pbs.org/show/black-church/ (2 Episodes – 1hr and 50 min)
  • On Sundays after church, consider hosting a matinee movie or documentary about black history. (see Racial Justice Team resources https://iksynod.org/2020/06/23/anti-racism-resources/).
  • Consider coordinating a Saturday night Black history movie night, with popcorn, drinks and discussion. Here are some great movie suggestions – https://www.imdb.com/list/ls076372388/)
  • Consider hosting a family movie lunch and learn – https://www.nymetroparents.com/article/black-history-movies-for-kids
  • Organize a book discussion on black history with a small group at church, or with a group of friends (https://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-Books-Black-African-American-History/zgbs/books/4867)
  • Invite a black historian to come in and talk to your congregation, or perhaps, one of the authors of the above book list. Or, consider reaching out to your local universities and colleges (make sure to compensate speakers for their time and knowledge).
  • Consider taking members of your congregation with you to participate in local black history month celebrations in your community, such as gospel choir concerts, movies, plays, action events., or other experiences which you might seek out.

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