Happy New Year everyone!

We wish you a safe New Year's Eve as we welcome in the New Year in Cedar Rapids and throughout the world we make home.

We encourage you to learn more about "Who Is My Neighbor" in 2010!

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Merry Christmas and Season's Greetings to all

We want to wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Merry Christmas and Holiday Season ...

Our event for 2010 will be Monday, January 18, 2010 at St. Paul's UMC beginning at 7 p.m. We invite the public to attend this special community event celebrating the life and message of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as well as present the 11Th annual Percy & Lileah Harris "Who Is My Neighbor" Award. Last year's award was presented to Washington High School administrator Rick Williams.

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We want to remind you to check your calendar for Monday evening, January 18, 2010

We begin planning for the 2010 event today. Our first planning meeting for the 2010 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration will be on Wednesday, December 16, 2009 at St. Paul's UMC.

We want to remind you to save the evening of

Monday, January 18, 2010

for this year's

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration

at St. Paul's UMC in Cedar Rapids, Iowa USA

If you have any questions or suggestion about this year's event, please don't hesitate to contact Carol Sundberg at St. Paul's UMC or Robin Tucker.

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St. Paul's UMC has an updated web site and We Encourage you to take a Cruise Online

St. Paul's UMC's mission hasn't changed, but the web site that serves the Church has been updated. You can visit St. Paul's United Methodist Church at http://www.stpaulsumc.org/.

• About Us: Welcome to St. Paul's United Methodist Church
• Worship at St. Paul's
• Ministries at St. Paul's UMC
• Volunteer Opportunities at St. Paul's UMC
• Calender
• Learning: Christian Education and Spiritual Formation at St. Paul's UMC
• Ministry of Music at St. Paul's
• Serving: Ministry of Serving at St. Paul's UMC
• Caring: Ministry of Caring at St. Paul's UMC

Two events that may interest you this weekend at St. Paul's UMC:

• First Light at Celebration Worship Dec 5
  Followed by potluck more
• Special Music December 6
  With guest orchestra in worship more

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Today is December 1: What is about this day in history?

Can you believe it is already December? Where did the year go?

On this date in: 1824
The House of Representatives convened to decide the
presidential election because no candidate had received a majority in the
Electoral College. John Quincy Adams was eventually chosen the winner over
Andrew Jackson and Henry Clay.

On This Day - New York Times

http://www.brainyhistory.com/days/december_1.html - BrainyHistory

In January 2010, look for another "Who Is My Neighbor" event at St. Paul's UMC associated with the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday.

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Celebrating the Fall of the Berlin Wall: September 9, 1989

European leaders mark 20 years since fall of Berlin Wall‎ - The Sun Daily
Berlin (Nov 10, 2009) - With a walk through Berlin's iconic Brandenburg Gate, ... France and Italy marked on Monday the sudden opening of the Berlin Wall 20 ...

MTV Europe Awards to celebrate fall of Berlin Wall‎ - The Associated Press

Berlin Commemorates Fall of Berlin Wall, 20 Years Later - CafeSentido.com

The Berlin Wall separated East and West Berlin, ensuring that capitalist ad democratic West Berlin remained surrounded on all sides by the Communist German ...

Visit the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights on Facebook: Cedar Rapids Civil Rights

"Twenty years go today, on November 9, 1989, was The Fall of the Berlin Wall. The East German government announced that visits in West Germany and West Berlin will be permitted. Thousands of East Berliners passed into West Berlin as border guards stand by. People begin tearing down the wall." - Cedar Rapids Civil Rights on Facebook

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Election Day in Cedar Rapids and the State of Iowa is Tuesday, November 3rd

Make sure that on Tuesday, November 3, you find time to cast your vote. Voting day information, including candidate profiles can be found on the Linn County Auditors web site.

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Happy All Saints' Day today for many throughout the World

NOVEMBER 2009

A beautiful Autumn day today here in Cedar Rapids, Iowa!

Today, All Saints' Day

Other Interfaith dates for the month of November 2009.

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October 12, 2009 is Columbus Day, Thankgiving Day in Canada ...

On October 12, 2009, many will celebrate:

• Columbus Day in the USA
• Thanksgiving Day in Canada
• Day of the Race in Mexico

Spotlight on Church and Society in the United Methodist Church:

Economic and Environmental Justice The General Board of Church ... - UMC
United Methodist Church -- General Board of Church and Society ... the program helps United Methodists understand the positions of the church on the full ...

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A discussion of Social Justice in Cedar Rapids

CLARENCE DARROW’S SEARCH FOR JUSTICE

Price: Tickets: $10 in advance; $12 at the door
Date: Sunday, September 20, 2009
Time: 2:30pm - 5:30pm
Location: St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
Street: 1340 3rd Ave. SE

Gary Anderson, a nationally-renowned Darrow portrayer, will showcase “the most hated and celebrated lawyer in America.”“Darrow as a legal warrior, returning to engage our government and justice system in a presentation that trembles with inescapable timeliness.” He fought Creationism in public schools, racism, the death penalty, conspiracy laws, and attacks on civil liberties. “Anderson’s Darrow is in the same league as Holbrook’s Mark Twain.”At the end of the show, Civil Rights Commission Director Karl Cassell will present statistics on racial and economic issues in Cedar Rapids. Discussion to follow.

Sponsored by the:

• Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission
• St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
• The Peoples’ Church Unitarian Universalist Congregation.

This date in History: September 9

from Facebook: Cedar Rapids Civil Rights

Today in 1957: President Eisenhower signed into law the first civil rights bill
to pass Congress since Reconstruction. (Historical period of 1865 -1877) "The
act established the Commission on Civil Rights, a 6-member bipartisan commission
with the power to "investigate allegations .. that certain citizens are being
deprived of their right to vote" as well as to study other denials of equal
protection of the laws."

Civil Rights Act of 1957

"In 1957, President Eisenhower sent Congress a proposal for civil rights legislation. The result was the Civil Rights Act of 1957, the first civil rights legislation since Reconstruction. The new act established the Civil Rights Section of the Justice Department and empowered federal prosecutors to obtain court injunctions against interference with the right to vote. It also established a federal Civil Rights Commission with authority to investigate discriminatory conditions and recommend corrective measures. The final act was weakened by Congress due to lack of support among the Democrats." - Eisenhower Library

Have a safe and enjoyable Labor Day Weekend 2009!

Wishing everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend here in Cedar Rapids, Iowa USA or wherever you may be.

The 46Th anniversary of ML King Jr.'s 'The I Have a Dream' speech on Washington D.C.

On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. presented his "The I Have a Dream' speech on Washington D.C.

The I Have a Dream Speech - U.S. Constitution Online

U.S. Constitution Online reported ...

"Thrust into the national spotlight in Birmingham, where he was
arrested and jailed, King helped organize a massive march on Washington, DC, on
August 28, 1963. His partners in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom
included other religious leaders, labor leaders, and black organizers. The
assembled masses marched down the Washington Mall from the Washington Monument
to the Lincoln Memorial, heard songs from Bob Dylan and Joan Baez, and heard
speeches by actor Charlton Heston, NAACP president Roy Wilkins, and future U.S.
Representative from Georgia John Lewis."

Today in History - Aug. 28 -The Associated Press
... 200000 people participated in a peaceful civil rights rally in Washington, DC, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech in ...

Diversity Focus: The Corridor's Diversity Climate

Hazel Pegues, Director of Diversity Focus in Cedar Rapids, spoke on Monday, July 13, 2009 to the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids on the The Corridor’s Diversity Climate.

We are highlighting Hazel Pegues' presentation from Ripples from the Rapids, the weekly newsletter of the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids.

Hazel Pegues joined Diversity Focus as Director in June 2008. On
Monday, she reported to Rotary the results of a Survey on Diversity based on
information gathered from September 15 to October 6, 2008 by Vernon Research
Group. The phone and Internet survey was conducted in Linn and Johnson
County. The study consisted of 600 respondents, aged 18-85 and with an
over-sampling of non-Caucasian subgroups. The margin of sampling error was
plus or minus 3.27%. The purpose of the study was to establish a baseline
measure of the community’s perception of diversity and inclusion and to
highlight issues that Diversity Focus needs to partner with the community to
improve. The intention is to survey again in three years for comparison to
the 2008 baseline.

In many of the questions, respondents were asked to rank factors on
a scale of 1-5. A mean rating of 3.5 or higher is considered minimally
acceptable. Overall diversity ratings (rating your community in terms of
embracing diversity) resulted in 54% of respondents ranking their community
“good” or “very good” with a mean diversity ranking of 3.5. Rankings in
Johnson County (3.79) were slightly higher than in Linn County (3.36).
Ratings were highest for Caucasian respondents and lowest for African-American
respondents. Non-Caucasians cited a large difference between the
importance of certain attributes and the community’s performance on these
attributes. Caucasians considered the “GAP” to be much smaller.

For example African-Americans considered the premise that diverse
populations are welcome and accepted to be the most important attribute of
community performance (4.85) compared to Caucasians (3.79). But
performance measurement on this particular attribute, perceived by
African-Americans, was only 3.36 compared to 3.79 by Caucasians. The
African-American GAP was 1.49 compared to a GAP of only 0.74 for Caucasians, a rather substantial perception difference of 0.75.

On the basic question of “What does diversity mean to you,”
73.5% of respondents said race or ethnicity and 23% said religion.
Socio-economic class was cited by 12%, age (10%), gender (9%), sexual
orientation (9%) and disability (2%).The majority of respondents said they were
either “very comfortable” or “comfortable” with people of diverse
populations. However, respondents were least comfortable in social
situations with people with disabilities, people of a different socio-economic
class or people of different sexual orientations, all classes that did not
register highly in response to the question of what diversity means. In
fact disability is not often seen as a dimension of diversity.The percentage of
survey respondents who have themselves felt discriminated against based on
intolerance of diversity ranged from 19% (law enforcement and child related) to
21% (employment) to 22% (at a store). An especially alarming rate was
discrimination involving law enforcement which was 46% in Linn County and 69% in Johnson County for African Americans surveyed.People of diverse backgrounds are reluctant to move to the Corridor and are less likely to remain in the area
long-term. A welcoming and accepting climate is an economic
imperative. We must foster diversity to develop a 21st-century workforce
and compete effectively in the global marketplace.

For more information on Diversity Focus and The Corridor's Diversity Climate, you are invited to visit their web site and download a PDF on the Executive Summary. If your group or company is interested in having someone speak on this subject, please contact Diversity Focus.

Happy Birthday America!

We wish you a Happy Independence Day and a safe and enjoyable holiday.

July 2009 is here!

We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable July 2009!

The July 2009 Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Newsletter is out. Highlights include:

• Recap of June 25, 2009 Fair Housing Conference
• New Commissioners: Dr. Ruth White and Anthony Arrington
• RESULTS OF THE CORRIDOR’S DIVERSITY CLIMATE STUDY
• The Persistence of Racial and Ethnic Profiling in the United States
• Facts on: HATE CRIMES, PREJUDICE, AND STEREOTYPES ...
• What Do You Know?
• more facts and information on the Civil Rights Commission

JULY CIVIL RIGHTS EVENTS IN OUR HISTORY

• July, 1839 -
  Iowa was among the earliest states to enact prohibitions against race discrimination, especially in education. In the very first decision of the newly founded Iowa Supreme Court, In Re the Matter of Ralph, the Court rejected slavery in a decision that found that a slave named Ralph became free when he stepped on Iowa soil, 26 years before the end of the Civil War.
• July 26, 1948 -
  President Truman signs Executive Order 9981, which states, "It is hereby declared to
  be the policy of the President that there shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion, or national origin." The order also creates the President's Committee on Equality of Treatment and opportunity in the Armed Services.
• July 2, 1964 -
  President Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The most sweeping civil Rights legislation since Reconstruction, the Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination of all kinds based on race, color, religion, or national origin. The law also provides the federal government with the powers to enforce desegregation.

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Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission holding Fair Housing Conference on June 25, 2009

Date: Thursday, June 25, 2009
Time: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Location: Crowne Plaza
Street: 350 First Avenue NE
City/Town: in Cedar Rapids, IA

8:00 am Registration, breakfast

8:30 am Welcome, opening remarks

9:00 am Housing, Foreclosures, and Predatory Lending

11:00 am Landlord and Tenant Rights and Responsibilities

12:00 pm Lunch/showing of “Brooklyn Matters” Documentary

1-5 pm Housing Laws: Realtor /Landlord Track

OR

1 pm Voluntary Property Acquisition for Flood Impacted Properties

2 pm Student Loans: Stella Adams

OR Iowa Finance Authority Programs for Home Buyers

3 pm Accessibility, Americans with Disability Act

4 pm Home Buyer Education

Contact the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission for more information!

Phone: 319.286.5036

E-mail: civilrights@cedar-rapids.org

Registration fee: $25

Registration is open through day of conference.

PLEASE register in advance: we are required to give counts to the facility for food.

Thank you and hope to see you there!

Iowa Senator Tom Harkin, Senate Apologize for Slavery

A KCRG-TV news story comments on Senate Resolution 26 introduced July 18, 2009 ...

For the first time in history, the entire US Congress is apologizing for
slavery. On July 18, 2009, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution officially
acknowledging and apologizing for what it called the "fundamental injustice,
cruelty, brutality and inhumanity of slavery."

Resolution 26 of the United States Senate is available on-line with a You Tube video and story from The Gazette's web site. This is a bi-partisan resolution lead by Iowa Senator Tom Harkin and others.

The beginning of the story was reflected in a blog post dated February 28, 2008 titled Harkin: It’s time for U.S. to apologize for slavery – Looking in at Iowa Blog by Cedar Rapids Gazette Librarian John McGlothlen.

“We’ve seen states step forward on this,” Citing resolutions of Virginia,
Maryland, North Carolina, Alabama and New Jersey. “I’m really shocked, just
shocked” that the federal government hasn’t apologized. “It’s time to do
so.” - Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa

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The Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival is in Full Swing through July 4Th

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY... June 21, 2009

• You can join the tradition of getting a button in Cedar Rapids
• The schedule of events for the 2009 Freedom Festival
• Check out the latest news on the Freedom Festival
• The 26Th annual Freedom Festival ... look at the event

The Freedom Festival kicked off on June 18, 2009 this year in Cedar Rapids. This community festival will run for 17 days through Independence Day - July 4, 2009!

Many events are free to the public. Specials often apply with purchase of an official Freedom Festival button. Other events do require an admission fee.

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Iowa and Cedar Rapids Juneteenth Observances ...

2009 Theme:

Iowa Families: Guardians of Freedom, Liberty & Citizenship

From Iowa's official Juneteenth web site:

Nationally, there are 29 states (and the District of Columbia) that have
made Juneteenth an official holiday or observance. There is a national campaign
to make Juneteenth official in all 50 states.
Juneteenth is authentic
American history and the Iowa Juneteenth Observance is authentic Iowa history!
Appreciate your history and participate in Juneteenth activities across
Iowa! - Iowa Juneteenth site

In Cedar Rapids, Juneteenth events are planned June 19 and 20, 2009 for this year's observance. On June 19, 2009, a dinner and dance is scheduled at the Celebration Hall African American Museum of Iowa. On June 20, 2009, a free Celebration Day event is scheduled at Viola Gibson Park at 12Th Ave. and 10Th St. SE from 9:00 am-5:00 pm.

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This date in History: June 18 ...

On Facebook, the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission pointed out:

"On June 18, 1873 Suffragist Susan B. Anthony was fined $100 for attempting to
vote in the 1872 presidential election."

A Famous Speech by Susan B. Anthony proceeded her Being Convicted Of Voting In The 1872 Presidential Election.

This date in history June 18, 1873

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Healing the Heartland Neighborhood BBQ tonight from 6 pm to 9 pm in Cedar Rapids

Healing the Heartland Festival is a Three Day Event

Marking the Anniversary of the Great Flood of 2008

June 12, 13, 14, 2009

Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- A message of faith and hope for the heartland -
Music • Food • Fun • Inspiration • Community Care
Today's Event from 6 pm to 9 pm - Free neighborhood BBQ

Serve The City is a coalition of over 40 area congregations and ministries hosting the Healing the Heartland Festival. Most of the events and entertainment are FREE to the community!

Follow us on Twitter

Neighborhood "Walk for the Community - May 21, 2009"

The Mound View and Wellington Heights Neighborhood Associations and the
Cedar Rapids Police Department, along with First Avenue Uptown College
District merchants and area agencies and faith communities are planning a
neighborhood walk for Thursday, May 21st in Cedar Rapids. Everyone
is invited to participate! The walk is set to begin from the 2Nd
Avenue Parking Lot of St. Paul's UMC (map) and will be about
1.75 miles in length. A cookout will begin at 5:30 pm, with the walk to
start at 6:30 and finish back at St. Paul's by 8:00 pm Come and walk for the
"Heart of the City!"

Walk for the Community - May 21, 2009

Sponsored by Concerned Citizens

All our neighbors throughout Cedar Rapids

are welcome and encouraged to join us!

St. Paul's Methodist Church

2Nd Avenue Parking Lot

BBQ 5:30 - 6:30 PM

Food (beef hamburgers, beef hot dogs,

pork bratwurst, chips, apples and drinks)

will be supplied courtesy of Hy-Vee, Frito Lay, Pepsi,

Sara Lee and the First Avenue Uptown College District

Walk begins at 6:30 PM

Join us for a 20 block walk of support through the

Heart of the City on the East Side

What to Bring

• Umbrella or raincoat
• Water bottle
• A Friend
• Smile

We'll Supply

• Food
• Drink
• Friendly faces
• Signs of support

The purpose of this walk is to bring the community together, raise awareness, and to show those who commit crime that WE ARE local Concerned Citizens. We want a healthy and safe community everywhere--and on every block--for our children and us to live, work, learn and play.

This is the first of many community events.

Join us and be a part of the solution,

be part of the community!

Sponsored by Concerned Citizens

Civil Rights in our Community

"So who is our neighbor?"

Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he said, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

He said to him, "What is written in the law? What do you read there?"

He answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself."

And he said to him, "You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live."

But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead.

"Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.

"But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him."

"The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, 'Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever you spend.'

Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"

He said, "The one who showed him mercy."

Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

Luke 10: 25-37 NRSV

Part of today's message at the worship service at St. Paul's UMC

It was on the back of the handout for "Walk for the Community - May 21, 2009"

Happy cinco de mayo

We wish all those of Mexican heritage a happy cingo de mayo this May 5, 2009. A little history on Mexican-Americans.

Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for "fifth of May")

We hope everyone is enjoying this special day!

Community comes together for Town Meeting and Panel Discussion

St. Paul's UMC hosted on Tuesday night a Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission sponsored event titled "Community Connections: Taking Ownership For Where We Live."

The Gazette article in the April 15, 2009 edition of the paper was titled About 250 gather to talk about race, police, violence. Link The Gazette story includes link to video replay of event.

The Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission web site provided the following highlights:

Over 250 people gathered to discuss social issues on April 14 at St. Paul's
United Methodist Church. The discussion included concerns about parenting,
absent landlords, and issues concerning the police and the people they serve.
Every person in Cedar Rapids needs to be responsible and help work
together to be able to solve these problems. Panelist, Lloyd, Smith summed this
up by stating "the solution is out there," indicating the audience. "Not up
here. It has to be worked out there."

Panelists included:

• Terry Bilsland, President of Wellington Heights, Neighborhood Association
• Dedric Doolin, Iowa/Nebraska NAACP State Conference Secretary
• Pastor Harlan Gillespie, Senior Pastor of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
• Greg Graham, Cedar Rapids Police Chief
• Dr. Dave Markward, Cedar Rapids Community School District Superintendent
• Lloyd Smith, Retired Juvenile Officer
• Dr. Ruth White, Executive Director of The Academy for Scholastic and Personal Success
  

Event moderated by:

• Beth Malicki, News anchor/reporter for KCRG TV Channel 9
• Dean Borg, Senior Correspondent for Iowa Public Radio and public affairs anchor for Iowa Public Television

Cedar Rapids Crime Stoppers

Other articles related to this story - various sources, Alleged attack on police spurs Cedar Rapids forum on race from DesMoinesRegister.com and Assault on Cedar Rapids officer raises fears from KPTM-TV (AP).

4/14/2008 Community Connections: "Taking Ownership For Where We Live"

Karl Cassell, Executive Director of the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission spoke to a group at Noon today. He informed the group in attendance of the following upcoming event.

Upcoming Event: Community Connections: "Taking Ownership For Where We Live" Tue. April 14 at 6pm at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church 1340 3rd Ave SE sponsored by CR Civil Rights Commission - in part this is a response to the violence that has directly impacted lives of a Cedar Rapids Police Officer, children, and adult neighbors in our city's core neighborhoods.

This event is open the general public. If time permits in your schedule next week, you are encouraged to attend.

What is the "Who Is My Neighbor" Award?

Tonight at 7 p.m. at St. Paul's UMC in Cedar Rapids

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at St. Paul’s UMC

The Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at St. Paul's' promises to be another inspiring program filled with music, an outstanding speaker from the local community, and the presentation of the Percy and Lileah Harris "Who is My Neighbor Award". The 10Th annual award will be presented during the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at St. Paul’s UMC on January 19, 2009 at 7:00 pm.

Our speaker this year is Jerry Matchett, General Manager of Staples Office Supply Store, here in Cedar Rapids. He as served on many boards and has been involved with many community activities. Mr. Matchett was born Tuskegee, Alabama, but shortly moved to South Dakota. As a young teenager, he moved to Ames, Iowa. Mr. Matchett has a Bachelor of Liberal Studies-Management, Psychology and Commutation from the University of Northern Iowa.

Plan to attend this year's celebration - to be inspired by Mr. Matchett; to hear the music of the Gospel Choir of Johnson School of the Arts and of Mt. Zion's Men's Choir and of St. Paul's Music Ministry; to celebrate the new honoree of the "Who is My Neighbor Award" - and all to be done as a reminder of the enduring contributions of Dr. King.

Who's My Neighbor Award

In the January, 2000, the first Percy and Lileah Harris "Who is My Neighbor" Award was presented to Dr. and Mrs. Harris and all future awards will carry their name. The award plaque reads "In recognition of a lifelong faith commitment to living in harmony with others and to promoting equality and social justice in the community.” This year’s award will be the tenth award presented at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at St. Paul’s.

"Who is My Neighbor" is based on the story of the Good Samaritan Jesus told in response to the question, "Who is my neighbor?" Dr. King also used the story of the Good Samaritan in his final speech in Memphis just before he was assassinated in 1968.

The recipient of the award needs to meet these criteria:
1. Acts out of a religious faith base
2. Is caring and compassionate.
3. Is community oriented.
4. Is a good neighbor to all.
5. Lives within Linn County.

If you have further questions on this year's event, please contact Robin Tucker, Publicity Chair at tuckerusa@aol.com. You are cordially invited to attend the public celebration on January 19, 2009 at 7 pm. This year’s program promises to continue our great tradition, the music and a dramatic reading of Martin Luther King Jr.’s words. St. Paul’s United Methodist Church is located at 1340 Third Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

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January 19, 2009 - Our Event is tonight at 7 p.m.

Happy Dr. Martin Luther King Holiday everyone! Please join us today!

We hope you will join us tonight at 7 p.m. at St. Paul's UMC to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. and be on for the presentation of the 10Th annual Percy and Lileah Harris "Who is My Neighbor" Award.

You are cordially invited to attend the public celebration on January 19, 2009 at 7 pm. This year’s program promises to continue our great tradition, the music and a dramatic reading of Martin Luther King Jr.’s words. St. Paul’s United Methodist Church is located at 1340 Third Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

A Local Employer's attitudes toward diversity

Last year, our keynote speaker was Rod Dooley, Senior Director of Talent Acquisition & Learning & Organizational Development of Cedar Rapids based Rockwell Collins.

We noticed the following link on twitter from local employer, Rockwell Collins, and comments from Clay Jones, President and CEO, on the subject of diversity.

RockwellCollins Jones shares his thoughts on the importance of diversity and inclusion to Rockwell Collins in new video www.rockwellcollins.com/div...

*** ***

Event information on this year's keynote speaker and program. You are cordially invited to attend the public celebration on January 19, 2009 at 7 p.m. This year’s program promises to continue our great tradition, the music and a dramatic reading of Martin Luther King Jr.’s words. St. Paul’s United Methodist Church is located at 1340 Third Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52403.

Press Release for this year's Martin Luther King Dr. Day Celebration

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Robin Tucker

Tel.: 319-366-7791 x 103
Email: tuckerusa@aol.com
Web: http://cedarrapidswhoismyneighbor.blogspot.com

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at St. Paul’s UMC

The Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at St. Paul's' promises to be another inspiring program filled with music, an outstanding speaker from the local community, and the presentation of the Percy and Lileah Harris "Who is My Neighbor Award". The 10Th annual award will be presented during the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at St. Paul’s UMC on January 19, 2009 at 7:00 pm.

Our speaker this year is Jerry Matchett, General Manager of Staples Office Supply Store, here in Cedar Rapids. He as served on many boards and has been involved with many community activities. Mr. Matchett was born Tuskegee, Alabama, but shortly moved to South Dakota. As a young teenager, he moved to Ames, Iowa. Mr. Matchett has a Bachelor of Liberal Studies-Management, Psychology and Commutation from the University of Northern Iowa.

Plan to attend this year's celebration - to be inspired by Mr. Matchett; to hear the music of the Gospel Choir of Johnson School of the Arts and of Mt. Zion's Men's Choir and of St. Paul's Music Ministry; to celebrate the new honoree of the "Who is My Neighbor Award" - and all to be done as a reminder of the enduring contributions of Dr. King.

Who's My Neighbor Award

In the January, 2000, the first Percy and Lileah Harris "Who is My Neighbor" Award was presented to Dr. and Mrs. Harris and all future awards will carry their name. The award plaque reads "In recognition of a lifelong faith commitment to living in harmony with others and to promoting equality and social justice in the community.” This year’s award will be the tenth award presented at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at St. Paul’s.

"Who is My Neighbor" is based on the story of the Good Samaritan Jesus told in response to the question, "Who is my neighbor?" Dr. King also used the story of the Good Samaritan in his final speech in Memphis just before he was assassinated in 1968.

The recipient of the award needs to meet these criteria:
1. Acts out of a religious faith base
2. Is caring and compassionate.
3. Is community oriented.
4. Is a good neighbor to all.
5. Lives within Linn County.

If you have further questions, please contact Robin Tucker, Publicity Chair at tuckerusa@aol.com. You are cordially invited to attend the public celebration on January 19, 2009 at 7 pm. This year’s program promises to continue our great tradition, the music and a dramatic reading of Martin Luther King Jr.’s words. St. Paul’s United Methodist Church is located at 1340 Third Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

www.cedarrapidswhoismyneighbor.blogspot.com .

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United Way Event: 1/19/09 Remembering Martin Luther King Luncheon

Received the following from the United Way of East Central Iowa today...

Remembering Martin Luther King Luncheon

United Way of East Central Iowa and the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids, will honor 19 area students at the annual Remembering Martin Luncheon on Monday, January 19, from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm at the Crowne Plaza Five Seasons Hotel, 350 First Avenue NE, in Cedar Rapids. The keynote speaker for the event is Akwi Nji-Dawson, Language Arts Instructor and Director of The Academy for Scholastic and Personal Success.The luncheon is open to the community. Cost is $9 per person and reservations must be made by Wednesday, January 14. If you would like to attend, please RSVP at 398-5372, ext. 36 or jsweeney@uweci.org.

The luncheon commemorates the life and vision of Dr. King by recognizing student leaders who demonstrate his honorable characteristics through their volunteer work, school attendance and positive behavior. One student from each middle school and high school in the Cedar Rapids area is selected for this award by their school administration. Click here to view the MLK Luncheon poster.

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Don't forget the two events on Monday, January 19, 2009, the United Way luncheon and our evening event at St. Paul's UMC at 7 p.m. We cordially invite you to attend the:

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at St. Paul’s UMC

The presentation of the Percy and Lileah Harris 10Th annual "Who is My Neighbor Award."

In the January, 2000, the first Percy and Lileah Harris "Who is My Neighbor" Award was presented to Dr. and Mrs. Harris and all future awards will carry their name. The award plaque reads "In recognition of a lifelong faith commitment to living in harmony with others and to promoting equality and social justice in the community. This year’s award will be the tenth award presented at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at St. Paul’s.

"Who is My Neighbor" is based on the story of the Good Samaritan Jesus told in response to the question, "Who is my neighbor?" Dr. King also used the story of the Good Samaritan in his final speech in Memphis just before he was assassinated in 1968.

The recipient of the award needs to meet these criteria:

1. Acts out of a religious faith base
2. Is caring and compassionate.
3. Is community oriented.
4. Is a good neighbor to all.
5. Lives within Linn County.

The St. Paul's UMC event is not a Luncheon and no reservations are requested.

Celebrate the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday and day of service.

Robin Tucker

What is the "Who Is My Neighbor" Award

The "Who Is My Neighbor" Award is based on the following criteria:

“Who is My Neighbor” is based on the story of the Good Samaritan Jesus told in response to the question, “Who is my neighbor?” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. also used the story of the Good Samaritan in his final speech in Memphis just before he was assassinated in 1968. The recipient of the 10Th annual award needs to meet these criteria:

1. Acts out of a religious faith base.
2. Is caring and compassionate.
3. Is community oriented.
4. Is a good neighbor to all.
5. Lives within Linn County.

We are meeting today to look at this year's nominees. We encourage you to attend this year's Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration held on January 19, 2009 at 7 p.m. at St. Paul's UMC. All are welcome.

peace

January, 1, 2009: Happy New Year

We hope you will consider attending our up coming event on January 19, 2009 at St. Paul's UMC. This year's Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration will be at 7 p.m. Please consider making it part of your New Year's Resolutions for 2009.

All are welcome. Please join us, as we present the 10Th anniversary of the "Who Is My Neighbor" award.

peace