EVERETT — The Rev. Alvin Moore is still working out his speech for Everett’s 27th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration this Sunday.
His theme is big — “Beyond the Dream — Are you making your mark?” The goal, he said, is to inspire people to build on the past and make real King’s vision of “unity, harmony and equality among all people.”
The event, the longest running in the county, is hosted by the Snohomish County Black Heritage Committee, Greater Trinity Church and Jubilee Church of Christ in God.
Moore, of Everett, is Jubilee’s pastor and a veteran Air Force master sergeant who teaches the ROTC program at Arlington High School. He’s enlisting students in the school’s Respect Team to help with some community volunteer projects on Monday as a way for them to connect with King’s message.
Keeping the dream alive “starts individually,” said DanVo”nique Reed, chairwoman for the event. “It has to be important enough to keep the flame burning.”
As MLK Day slowly begins to include store sales events, King’s message of “love, peace, equality and respect” can be kept at the forefront by people who’ve adopted his core values, Reed said.
“As a parent, it’s more about what our children see than about what we say,” she said. “It’s about caring enough in spite of how busy you are… and caring enough to honor him and his legacy.”
On Sunday, the Snohomish County Black Heritage Committee pays tribute to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. at 3 p.m. at Spirit of Grace Methodist Church, 3530 Colby Ave., Everett. The event features speaker the Rev. Alvin Moore and the Martin Luther King community choir performing contemporary and gospel songs.
Other area events honoring Martin Luther King Jr. include:
The eighth annual Martin Luther King “Blessed Are the Peace Makers” event is set for 1 p.m. Monday at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, 5217 Honeymoon Bay Road, in Freeland, Whidbey Island.
Sponsored by St. Augustine’s Peace Fellowship, the event is preceded at noon by a salad luncheon.
In addition to music and scripture, the service centers on the topic of racial discrimination in America.
Dennis Yule, a retired Benton-Franklin Superior Court judge, plans to speak. Karl Olsen, former member of the Brothers Four singing group, plans to lead the singing of civil rights anthems and spirituals. Childcare is provided. Families are encouraged to attend.
Also Monday, about 200 high school students from throughout Snohomish County are expected to participate in the national Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. In its fourth year in Snohomish County, the day involves students and adult mentors who volunteer to help seniors and people with disabilities.
The volunteer work day is sponsored by United Way of Snohomish County. For more information, go to www.uwsc.org/mlkday.php or contact Amy Franklin at youthunited@uwsc.org or 425.374.5526.
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