Today at the Lipscomb University virtual gathering Dr. Orpheus Heyward spoke. The university used the chapel to honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King and the importance of his work.
This year, 3 students offered up three of Dr. Martin Luther King’s prayers.
Amara Ukazim read ”Help us rise up out of our egotism.”
Dorie Harrison read a prayer for uncertain times, “Love even our enemy neighbors.”
Donovan Ross read, “We are made for the high places.”
“In a climate like today, we need a balanced voice like Martin Luther King Jr,” said Dr. Orpheus Heyward.
Dr. Heyward discussed how the world is facing much social injustice today and how the “heart of a racist can only be addressed for the perspective of God.”
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. did a sermon out of luke chapter 10, verse 25, and following on the good samaritan. This was the parable that Dr. Heyward taught out of the chapel.
“Jesus moved the conversation from who is my neighbor to what is a neighbor in the bible.”
In the parable, God used a Samaritan as the hero of the story. Dr. Heyward related the samaritan to how we should act as well.
Dr. Heyward answers the question of who should be treated as a neighbor by stating,“Anyone who’s in crisis” is who needs help from a neighbor.
“We need people to behave as neighbors,” said Dr. Heyward,” Love as God loves.”
Colleges such as Belmont, Fisk, Lipscomb, Meharry, Nashville State, Tennessee State University, Trevecca and Vanderbilt, as well as other area colleges and universities are honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by taking some time to volunteer virtually on MLK Day.
From 1:00 – 1:30 p.m, there will be a welcome video featuring College and University leaders, a brief keynote featuring Dr. James Hildreth, President of Meharry Medical College, and a member of FDA COVID-19 Advisory Task Force.
1:30 – 2:30 p.m, there will be 4 sessions — including a letter-writing project with the Greater Nashville Regional Council, creative ideas project with Turnip Green Creative Reuse, a social media post with Project Transformation session, cards of encouragement for Churchwell Magnet Students.
2:30 – 3:00 p.m, there is a reflection activity.
Those not able to join on MLK Day but would still like to volunteer, are advised to check out these additional virtual volunteering options: