One of The United Methodist Church’s six Special Sundays, the offering on Human Relations Day, the closest to the observance of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, will focus

this year on the rehabilitation of youth offenders. The United Methodist Book of Discipline describes Human Relations Day as a call "to recognize the right of all God's children in realizing their potential as human beings in relationship with each other."

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New England churches mark Dr. King’s birthday

Wesley UMC will host Springfield’s 33rd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Breakfast from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015 at the Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Hotel (1 Monarch Place, Springfield, Mass. 01144). This year’s speaker is the Rev. Dr. Valerie Bridgeman, Class of 2010 Martin Luther King, Jr. Collegium of Scholars & Preachers (Morehouse College).  Tickets are $30 for adults and $20 for children through Jan. 12 ; $5 more at the door.  Online tickets are available at http://bitly.com/33rdmlkbreakfast.  All proceeds fund scholarships and community programs.  

Union UMC is a co-presenter of the 45th Annual MLK Memorial Breakfast, which will begin at 8 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 19, 2015, at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. The Breakfast is the region's premier and the nation's longest-running celebration of King's vision of the beloved community. Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar will offer the opening prayer. The 2015 keynote address will be delivered by Cleveland Sellers, a pioneer of the 1960s civil rights movement.  Learn more at mlkbreakfastboston.org. 

First UMC in Stoughton, MA, will hold a special worship service Sunday, Jan. 18, 2015, which will include the life and words of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In addition, Pastor Rebecca Cho reports the church will host a community-wide food drive in as part of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, a national initiative that encourages people to do service projects on their day off from work. Food items can be dropped off at the church from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 19.

Let us know ...

Is your church doing something special to celebrate the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.? Let us know about it. Send information and photos to communicate@neumc.org.