Dr. King Community Engagement Day
 |
Take a day and serve!
Classes are cancelled to celebrate the amazing life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. On that day students, faculty and staff are given an opportunity to serve together as an expression of our common commitment to service at Messiah College. Put your faith into action! |
What did MLK Day 2010 at Messiah look like?
2010 Theme: "Exploring Dr. King's Vision of Equality & Justice for Persons with Disabilities "
Tour of Harrisburg:
Learn about the historical, social, political, and cultural aspects of Harrisburg and how Messiah has been rooted here through an interactive driving tour. You are encouraged to think about questions throughout the tour and bring them to lunch for discussion.
Panel Discussion & Luncheon:
A panel of local leaders will share about their work with persons with disabilities and how it connects to MLK's vision for justice and equality. Our guests speakers will be:
- Chris Book, Executive Director of Paxton Ministries, a home for persons with disabilities that provides a supportive and caring Christian environment. Mr. Book, an alumnus of Messiah College, will speak about his work and the long-lasting partnership between Paxton and Messiah College.
- Brian Funk, Area Director for Joni & Friends (Eastern PA), will share about his work in educating faith communities in our area to support and advocate for persons with disabilities in their communities.
- Edward Butler, Executive Director of the Governor's Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities, will speak to the government's role in his work to advocate for persons with disabilities at the policy level across the state.
- Kay Straw, Director of Area M Special Olympics, will discuss the work of the Special Olympics and the partnership with Messiah on Service Day every year.
Service Sites
After lunch, groups will travel to service sites around the city. This year's partners include the following:
- Paxton Ministries
- Bethesda Mission - Women's Shelter
- Allison Hill Community Center
- Catholic Worker House
- Silence of Mary Home
- "What a Difference a Day Makes" w/ the National MS Society
Debrief Dinner
The day concludes with a debrief dinner on Messiah College's campus where all teams gather to ask questions and share with each other about their service experiences.
"An individual has not started living
until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns
to the broader concerns of all humanity."
Martin Luther King, Jr.
"and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?"
Micah 6:8, NRSV