First Christian Church will host the 2nd annual MLK Concert for Love & Justice on Sunday, Jan. 17, at 3 p.m.

The concert will feature the Bridges 2 Harmony Gospel Choir from Roosevelt High School under award-winning director, Mr. James McNear. Mr. Ray Lewis of the Evelyn K. Davis Center will lead a discussion with members of the choir connecting Dr. King’s work with current civil rights issues and local experiences. Also appearing will be the First Christian Chancel Choir led by Ben Allaway and readers and performers from the DMACC-led English as a Second Language program. There will be opportunities for attendees to stay for further discussion, sign up to volunteer with various organizations working on issues, and register to vote.

Dr. King spoke at First Christian (then University Christian) in 1959, part of a long legacy of social advocacy at the church in partnership with many organizations, including NAACP, AMOS, Drake University, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa, The WHYLD GIRLS, The Interfaith Alliance of Iowa, and many more. Other luminaries appearing at First Christian have included Eleanor Roosevelt, Paul Robeson, Madam Chiang Kai-Shek, Chief Justice Harry Blackman, Jesse Jackson, Jane Fonda, Sister Helen Prejean, Buffy Ste.-Marie, Richie Havens, and Odetta.

For more information please call Ben Allaway, director of worship & fine arts, 515-720-1038, ballaway@fccdm.org, or www.fccdm.org.

—Submitted by Renee Sedlacek, Interim Director, Community Engagement and Service-Learning