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King's dream lived out through week of service

Kim Chaudoin | 

Service will be the focus of a week long Lipscomb community observance of the life of civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr.

MLK Day 2013
MLK Day 2013
MLK Day 2013

King was best known for his role in the advancement of civil rights using nonviolent civil disobedience and service.

“Unless we live out his dream, they are just words. What does it look like to live out his dream? Serving others. By serving others, we are making his dream a reality,” said Tenielle Buchanan, assistant dean of students for intercultural development. “Through this week of service we want to show students that they can start where they are and give what they can. This is how his dream comes to fruition. This is how we can honor what he fought for.

A special chapel service on Thursday, Jan. 17 launches the observance. Students will have the opportunity to reflect on the life and legacy of King through student testimonies and spoken word. Following chapel, students will have the opportunity to sign up for service projects.

Other activities include:

Friday, Jan. 18

School supplies drive for Youth Encouragement/Youth Life Learning Center

Students and employees are asked to bring new school supply items such as folders, paper, highlighters, pencils, erasers, crayons, glue sticks and coloring books to collection bins located throughout campus.

Saturday, Jan. 19

MLK Service Day

A day of service is planned that brings together students from Lipscomb, Belmont University, Tennessee State University and the Mt. Zion College Ministry to serve the Nashville community. Students will volunteer at a variety of nonprofit organizations throughout Nashville.

Students should meet at Mt. Zion Baptist Church (1112 Jefferson St., Nashville, 37208) by 11:30 a.m. for the kick-off event. At 12:45 p.m. transportation will be provided to students who need it from Mt. Zion to the service sites including Second Harvest Food Bank, Feed the Children and The Red Cross. Students will serve onsite from 1-3 p.m.

Buses will transport students back to Mt. Zion where they will take part in reflection activities and a door prize give-away until 4:30 p.m.

SALT and chapel credit are available to students who participate and stay until 4:30 p.m.

Sign up to participate in Allen Arena after the special MLK chapel at 10:55 a.m. on Thursday or click here.

Monday, Jan. 21

National Freedom March

10 a.m.

Students will be able to participate in the city-wide MLK commemorative march that starts on Jefferson Street in Nashville. Participants should meet on the corner of 28th Avenue and Jefferson Street.

MLK Celebration and 2013 Inauguration watch party. Main level of Bennett Campus Center in the student lounge area. During the event students will package the school supplies that were donated for Youth Encouragement Services and Youth Life Learning.

Tuesday, Jan. 22

Cultural Conversation – Why We Celebrate

7 p.m., Hall of Fame Room, Allen Arena

A campus-wide discussion about the importance of observing MLK day and why it is celebrated.

Wednesday, Jan. 23

An Afternoon of service at Thriftsmart

3 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 24

MLK Life and Legacy, Reflection and Discussion

5 p.m. • Ezell 363

Join a conversation about six steps to nonviolent social change, reflect on the week’s activities and more.

For more information about these activities, contact Elizabeth Hayes at hayesem@lipscomb.edu.