Sherman Avenue United Methodist Church on Madison’s North Side is best known for its position as a true home for diverse communities to come worship together, especially in its inclusion and appreciation for the LGBTQ+ members of their congregation. The mission to focus on love and standing beside and in power with the marginalized and oppressed is also what makes the life and times of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. a legacy that continues on today, and in celebration of his upcoming birthday, Sherman Church hopes to highlight those aspects.
With the 5th annual MLK: Jesus’ Dream worship experience to be held on Sunday, Jan. 14 at 9:30 a.m. and followed by a community brunch, Sherman Church Rev. David Hart is looking forward to another year of bringing this meaningful discussion to the community.
“We looked around the landscape of the city, and there are really good, quality programs that honor the life and times of Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement,” Rev. Hart told Madison365. “Taking a look at where we have been in the past, where we are now, and where we’re going as it relates to civil rights, we didn’t want to put anything into the landscape unless we could add value to the things that are already being done. We didn’t see many things going on on the North Side as it related to the celebration of the Civil Rights Movement and Dr. King’s birthday, and secondly, a more religious and spiritually centered service, a Christian-based service.”
While Dr. King is most remembered for his impact on the fight for civil rights as a whole, his faith and how it guided that work is often an afterthought. Similarly to how Sherman Church approaches faith as a means of bringing people together regardless of identity, Dr. King’s faith often drove him to spread love and peace instead of using faith to divide or shame.
The service and event are free and open to all in that same vein, and will certainly highlight using faith as a resolution in the effort to bring about better conditions for everyone.
“We’re certainly not saying that we’re Dr. King, but we certainly model our worship and service in the spirit of Dr. King,” said Rev. Hart. “Dr. King was someone who certainly believed in equality and equity for all … for women, marginalized people, the oppressed, and that’s certainly how we model our service. That’s how we model the work that we do here. We certainly want to be agents of change and we want to be folks who don’t sit on the sidelines, because when any of us are struggling, when any of us are feeling oppression, and when any of us are on the margins of community, that means that we all are. There’s really no true freedom or true justice unless we’re all liberated.”
Rev. Hart was certain that there will be something for everyone as they blend together classic and contemporary worship styles in an environment made to be welcoming and comfortable for all. He hopes the service will be inspiring and encouraging as there will be music, art, readings, and discussions along with words from Dr. Marcus Allen Sr.
Rev. Hart hopes to see many there and wants people to know that simply bringing themselves however they show up is enough saying, “Just be ready to be inspired, and be ready to go forth and 2024 doing the work. That’s all.”
More information and the event page can be found on Facebook here.
