Yale Celebrates Legacy Of Reverend King

NEW HAVEN, CT  – Yale University will honor the memory and dreams of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during six days of events and services across campus.
 
Events are free and open to the public, unless otherwise indicated.
 
Life Stories Panel Discussion Wednesday, January 12 – 5:30 p.m. International Center, 421 Temple Street
Life Stories, a program run by Pathways for Mutual Respect, www.pfmr.org, brings together individuals from diverse cultures, faiths and backgrounds to share the stories of their lives thereby creating opportunities for deeper understanding. This evening will showcase a diverse panel from the Yale community who talk candidly about their life journey through the lens of ethnicity and culture. Reception to follow. For more information, visit: www.yale.edu/oiss/programs.
 
“Achieving the Dream: Excellence in Academia” Thursday, January 13 – 6 p.m. Hall of Graduate Studies Rm. 119A, MacDougal Center, 320 York Street
A roundtable discussion with panelists. Dinner will be served.
 
Interfaith Service
Friday, January 14 – 1:30 p.m. Interfaith Cooperative Ministries, 311 Temple Street

Prism’s Second Annual AIDS Benefit Dinner Friday, January 14 – 7:30 p.m.
Afro-American Cultural Center, 211 Park Street The “dress code” will be black and red, when members of the community gather to enjoy food, music to raise funds for Leeway Inc., an organization that gives shelter and information to people with HIV/AIDS. The goal this year is to raise $1000.

Martin Luther King’s Birthday Saturday, January 15 – 10 p.m. Global Grounds Coffee Shop, Dwight Hall Common Room, 67 High Street
Note: Student, faculty or staff identification required for access to Old Campus.
 
Worship Service
Sunday, January 16 – 10:30 a.m. University Church at Yale, Battell Chapel at Elm and College Streets
University Church in Yale and the Black Church at Yale will offer a joint MLK weekend worship service with Professor Willis Jenkins preaching. Jenkins, the Margaret Farley Assistant Professor of Social Ethics at Yale Divinity School, focuses his research on environmental ethics, sustainable communities, global ethics and theological ethics. He is co-editor of the 2010 volume “Bonhoeffer and King: Their Legacies and Import for Christian Social Thought.” Following worship at about noon, members of the community will be assembling toiletry kits for the homeless. For more information, contact Reverend Ian Oliver, University Church 203-432-1128.
 
Two-Day Festival Celebrating Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Legacy of Environmental and Social Justice
Sunday, January 16 – noon, and Monday, January 17 – 10 a.m. Peabody Museum of Natural History, 170 Whitney Avenue
As it has done for the past 15 years, the museum will present a family festival celebrating connections among environment, history and culture, with dance, storytelling, music, poetry and educational activities for all ages.
 
On Sunday, activities will include storytelling and teen diversity workshops focusing on Dr. King’s message.
 
On Monday, the Peabody will host its Zannette Lewis Environmental and Social Justice Community Open Mic, giving participants the opportunity to honor the spoken word and King’s legacy by sharing original poetry or rap, or by speaking on issues of environmental and social justice. Pre-registration is required.
 
Admission to the museum is free both days.
 

 
Film and Lunch Discussion Sunday, January 16 – 12:25 p.m. University Church at Yale, Battell Chapel at Elm and College Streets
Following the joint worship and service project (above) there will be a showing of the landmark 1966 documentary “A Time for Burning” (58 minutes) and a brief discussion led by Bri Hopper, Sam Slie Fellow at the University Church. The film looks at the Civil Rights Movement through the lens of church life, focusing on a divided community of black and white Christians as they struggle to talk to each other about race and justice during the tumultuous mid-1960s. A light lunch will be served during the film. For more information, contact Reverend Ian Oliver, University Church, 203-432-1128.
 
“MLK Day of Service: A Day On, Not a Day Off!”
Monday, January 17 Dwight Hall, 67 High Street 10:15 – 11 a.m. Breakfast and Introduction to the Day of Service 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Service projects in various community locations
Yale students, faculty and staff will collaborate on projects including voter registration, feeding the homeless and care-package assembly. Sign-ups for service projects and a continental breakfast begin promptly at 10 a.m. in Dwight Hall. Transportation will be provided to service sites.

Master’s Tea with J.J. Piett of Urbane Development
Monday, January 17 – 4 p.m. Pierson College Master’s House, 261 Park Street
Co-sponsored by the Yale Sustainable Food Project and Pierson College.
 
Martin Luther King, Jr., Commemorative Dinner Monday, January 17 – 5:30 p.m. All Yale College Dining Halls and in the Hall of Graduate Studies Dining Hall Note: Free with Yale Meal Card
 
Pan-Christian Celebration of MLK.
“Let Us Break Bread Together: Food, Music, the Arts, and Faith”
Monday January 17 –7:30 p.m. Saint Thomas More Golden Center, 268 Park Street
Pan-Christian celebration of the life and mission of Martin Luther King, Jr. The event features food, performances, and fellowship. Donations are requested to support a local charity.