Where were you on April 4, 1968? Perhaps, you were living in another part of the country. Perhaps, you were not yet born. Perhaps, you were deployed to Vietnam.  Perhaps, you were in college. Perhaps, you were working on your family farm. Perhaps, you were starting a new job. Perhaps, like me, you were an elementary school student. 

Where were you on April 4, 1968 when The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee? Where have the years gone? I ask that a lot these days. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the death of this Christian prophet of justice. A Baptist pastor of churches in Alabama and Georgia, his faith compelled and propelled him to advocate for non-violent action for racial equality. He was arrested and jailed while protesting segregation in Birmingham, Alabama. He preached non-violence and demanded that love be returned for hate. In 1964, Dr. King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

His commemoration date on the church calendar is January 15. So, this coming Monday, I invite you to offer a prayer of thanksgiving for the faithful witness and service of this 20th Century renewer of society and martyr. I encourage you to advocate for and/or carry out an act of compassion on behalf of those who still cry out for justice, equality and dignity today. As baptized sons and daughters of God, we are called to "strive for justice and peace in all the earth." May God bless our mission and ministry to do just that every day of our life. One small act can make all the difference in the world.

With hope and thanksgiving,

Pastor Linda