2008 Woodie Awards
Chapel Service Honors Civil Rights Leader
Phillip Brooks
Issue date: 1/27/06 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
On Wednesday, Jan. 18, students, faculty, staff, and neighborhood families came together to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the days following his birthday holiday. The service, held on campus in Greene Chapel, distributed bulletins with one of King's more memorable quotes.
"Everybody can be great because everybody can serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love." King said.
"We need to remember that it was Dr. King's faith that gave him the strength to do his work and gave him the hope for his dream," Rev. J.J. Derden, Hendrix Lilly Vocation program coordinator, said.
The service began with a prayer from Derden, followed by sophomore Ryan Williams reading the opening scripture.
After an introduction by senior and Students for Black Culture Chair Morgan Ealy, invited speaker Rev. E.C. Maltbia, pastor of True Holiness Saints Center, began his sermon with a reading from Psalms 133:1. "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity," he read.
Maltbia spoke of the continued need among Christians to work toward Dr. King's dream. "We still have much work to do," he often repeated throughout his sermon. He reminded the group of attentive listeners that Dr. King was not simply calling for racial equality, but was asking America to live up to its obligations of equal opportunity for all. To reach this goal, he said, Americans must confront prejudice in all forms including socio-economic tensions and even religious differences.
Following the sermon, Dr. Joyce Hardin, Vice President for Student Affairs, made some closing remarks.
"I am pleased to see faculty, staff, students, and community members come together to reflect on the message of Dr. King," she said. "The message is that we must look beyond the surface of people in order to get to know them and understand their culture. In my opinion, knowledge brings understanding, and understanding brings friendship, and friendship brings together a community that can focus on service."
Hendrix Chaplain Rev. Wayne Clark led the closing prayer after which the attendants all joined in singing I Need You to Survive. A special reception was help immediately following the service.
"I enjoyed the service. I love the sense of community. I believe Dr. King would have enjoyed it too," Williams said.
"Some may wonder how they can celebrate Dr. King's life everyday of their lives when they may question parts of his philosophy. I am thankful that we live in a country where we are able to engage in critical thinking," Hardin said. "However, although I may have questions about parts of King's philosophy, I find it harder for me to argue with the results that it had on a community. It is my hope that we can all look at ourselves to see how we can positively affect our community through service."
"Everybody can be great because everybody can serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love." King said.
"We need to remember that it was Dr. King's faith that gave him the strength to do his work and gave him the hope for his dream," Rev. J.J. Derden, Hendrix Lilly Vocation program coordinator, said.
The service began with a prayer from Derden, followed by sophomore Ryan Williams reading the opening scripture.
After an introduction by senior and Students for Black Culture Chair Morgan Ealy, invited speaker Rev. E.C. Maltbia, pastor of True Holiness Saints Center, began his sermon with a reading from Psalms 133:1. "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity," he read.
Maltbia spoke of the continued need among Christians to work toward Dr. King's dream. "We still have much work to do," he often repeated throughout his sermon. He reminded the group of attentive listeners that Dr. King was not simply calling for racial equality, but was asking America to live up to its obligations of equal opportunity for all. To reach this goal, he said, Americans must confront prejudice in all forms including socio-economic tensions and even religious differences.
Following the sermon, Dr. Joyce Hardin, Vice President for Student Affairs, made some closing remarks.
"I am pleased to see faculty, staff, students, and community members come together to reflect on the message of Dr. King," she said. "The message is that we must look beyond the surface of people in order to get to know them and understand their culture. In my opinion, knowledge brings understanding, and understanding brings friendship, and friendship brings together a community that can focus on service."
Hendrix Chaplain Rev. Wayne Clark led the closing prayer after which the attendants all joined in singing I Need You to Survive. A special reception was help immediately following the service.
"I enjoyed the service. I love the sense of community. I believe Dr. King would have enjoyed it too," Williams said.
"Some may wonder how they can celebrate Dr. King's life everyday of their lives when they may question parts of his philosophy. I am thankful that we live in a country where we are able to engage in critical thinking," Hardin said. "However, although I may have questions about parts of King's philosophy, I find it harder for me to argue with the results that it had on a community. It is my hope that we can all look at ourselves to see how we can positively affect our community through service."