DuPage County's longest-running King celebration continues
As we prepare to witness a history-making presidency, hundreds will come together Monday in Wheaton to honor the man who first introduced our country to a dream.
"The election of Barack Obama is one of the ways the people of the nation have come together," said the Rev. Tracy S. Malone, senior pastor at Gary United Methodist Church in Wheaton. "I don't think that day would have even been possible if it wasn't for people like Martin Luther King paving the way."
DuPage County's Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration will begin at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Wheaton College's Edman Chapel. The 19th annual event is the oldest public celebration of the fallen reverend's life in DuPage.
"On a national scale, he (King) made an impact in a peaceful, nonviolent, Christian way," said the Rev. James Miller, chairman of committee that organizes the event. "That is an accomplishment worthy of recognition and needs to be celebrated every year."
Miller, who heads Lisle-based DuPage AME Church, helped found the celebration in 1991. About 275 people attended the event that first year at Second Baptist Church in Wheaton.
Nearly 2,000 people are expected to attend Monday.
"We should have a really broad spectrum of people there," Miller said. "It will be a little bit of everyone."
Malone will be the keynote speaker.
She said she plans to talk about King's stand for justice and peace.
"I, too, am a big advocate for justice and have been on the front lines for justice and peace for most of my life," she said. "It's a very important part of my ministry. So to be able to speak to this, I feel very honored to have been chosen to do that."
One highlight of the event will be the presentation of $500 scholarships to a group of high school students from throughout the county.
Music is scheduled to be performed by choirs from Wheaton College and Gary United Methodist Church.
Malone said the event continues to grow in size and scope from year to year, in part, because King's message still resonates.
"Although he was an African-American man, he didn't just fight for the rights of people of his kind," she said. "He was concerned about justice for all people."
Miller said this year's celebration has greater significance because it coincides with the Obama's inauguration.
Still, he said, the focus Monday will remain on King.
"I am sure there will be some mention of the fact that President-elect Obama represents, to some extent, a fulfillment of the dream," Miller said. "But that would be a cursory reference, because we do want to focus on the whole ministry of Dr. King. It's more comprehensive than any individual."
If you go
What: DuPage County's annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration
When: 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19
Where: Wheaton College's Edman Chapel, 401 E. Franklin St., Wheaton
Cost: Free
Info: (630) 969-9800
<p class="News"><b><b>If you go</b></b></p> <p class="News"><b>What:</b> DuPage County's annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration</p> <p class="News"><b>When:</b> 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19</p> <p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Wheaton College's Edman Chapel, 401 E. Franklin St., Wheaton</p> <p class="News"><b>Cost:</b> Free</p> <p class="News"><b>Info:</b> (630) 969-9800 </p> <div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=265271">Volunteers to spread King's spirit in Lake County</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=264626">DuPage County's longest-running King celebration continues </a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=264619">Filmmaker visits North Central for King events</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=264616">Lisle minister speaks at MLK breakfast</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=265285">Elgin MLK breakfast honors his dream</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>