BRATTLEBORO — On Sunday, Jan. 17, at 4 p.m., there will be a celebration in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Centre Congregational Church, 193 Main St.
King's “I Have a Dream” speech will be shown, jazz pianist Franz Robert will play, an intergenerational community choir led by Andy Davis will sing, and Julie Cunningham, executive director of Families First, will be the featured speaker.
New to this year's event is a tribute to the “Hidden Heroes and Heroines” of the Civil Rights Movement, profiling individuals from different faith traditions who were instrumental in the success of the movement and of King's work.
The service will conclude with the traditional lighting of a candle by everyone in attendance. Singers of all ages and abilities are encouraged to come to the church at 3 p.m. to rehearse songs for the service.
This event is sponsored by the Brattleboro Area Interfaith Clergy Association as an opportunity for people of all ages, faiths, races, and ethnicities to come together to remember, to learn, and to celebrate all that unites us. Admission is free, but a good-will donation will be taken with proceeds shared between the Vermont Partnership for Fairness and Diversity and the Root Social Justice Center.
Following the service, a spaghetti dinner will be served in the lower level of the church, a fundraiser for interfaith youth service trips to South Dakota and Kenya. Vegetarian and gluten-free options will be available. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12 years old.
For more information about these events, contact Guilford Community Church, U.C.C. at 802-257-2776.