Order of Service & Teach-in, MLK Day, Jan 19, 2008

Order of Service & Teach-in, MLK Day, Jan 19, 2008

By Rabbi Arthur Waskow | 11/26/2008

• Earth

• Global Scorching

• Justice and Gender

• Justice and Race

• Seasons of American Sacred Time

• Spirituality of Justice

• War, Peace, & the Jewish Community

• World Empire

• Peace

LITURGICAL SCENARIO FOR MLK BIRTHDAY OBSERVANCE,
EVE OF INAUGURATION DAY, 2009

(From Rabia Harris, Muslim Peace Fellowship, and Rabbi Arthur Waskow, The Shalom Center)

: Remember we awant people to stay interested, be moved, get motivated, have fun, and draw closer together. We are assuming that programs, including the text of the pledge, will be distributed at the door.)

Introduction Coming Together Summoning of the People According to the Traditions Blowing of the Shofar Ringing of Church Bells Muslim Call to Prayer Buddhist bells, etc.

Welcoming from the Traditions Our speakers speak (briefly) on what we’re there for, each preceded by a reprise or extract from the Summoning of the relevant tradition

Act I. The Three Evils: Racism

Our veterans of the Civil Rights Movement read from the works of Dr. King, comment, and reminisce. The focus is on the experience and wisdom of the past.

Address (15 mins?) by a leading speaker on this danger
Litany of Ashes, Stones, & Flowers [See on separate document at http://www.shalomctr.org/node/1465.]

Intermission Music or comedy. Bread and Puppets? Sweet Honey? Native Deen? The Benedictine clowns?

Act II. The Three Evils: Militarism
Activists of the peace movement read from the works of Dr. King, comment, and reminisce. The focus is on the experience and wisdom of the past.
Address (15 mins?) by a leading speaker on this danger

Litany of Ashes, Stones, & Flowers [ http://www.shalomctr.org/node/1464]

Intermission More music/drama/ etc relief, as above.

Act III. The Three Evils: Materialism

This will be the environmental piece, looking at the disastrousness of consumption as an identity, and the possibility of freedom from this slavery, as well as the grim consequences of continuing in heedlessness. The focus is on anticipatory grief for the terrible dangers of the future. Do we need a speaker, or maybe a chorus? Big visuals?

Our veterans of the Civil Rights Movement read from the works of Dr. King, comment, and reminisce. The focus is on the experience and wisdom of the past.

Address (15 mins?) by a leading speaker on this danger; perhaps one on environment, one on poverty

Litany of Ashes, Stones, & Flowers [See full litany at http://www.shalomctr.org/node/1465.]

Then turning from darkness to light…

Rededication

Reclaiming the sacred vision of the Beloved Community that was inspired in Dr. King.

Key speaker declares our renewed dedication to work on a world worth living in for all. Tomorrow the new President will make a pledge, and we must make a pledge too.

Common recitation & signing of the Pledge.

After that, Recessional and Processional. Summoning of the People again; distributions of candles and giving of instructions; candlelight march to a public park, meeting people from oither houses of qworship.. There either silence, or the pledge again, or?? Depending.

REBIRTHING KING, RE-INAUGURATING AMERICA:
A COVENANTAL PLEDGE ON JANUARY 19-20, 2009

On this rebirthing day , January 19, 2009, Martin Luther King’s Birthday, on the eve of there coming into office a new government to represent the American people, I join in covenant with other Americans: —

I commit myself to give a new birth in America and in the world to the vision of Dr. Martin Luther King, to call ourselves and every nation now to develop an overriding loyalty to humankind as a whole, in order to preserve the best in our individual societies;

I commit myself to work toward a world-wide fellowship that lifts neighborly concern beyond any tribe, race, class, or nation; to call for an all-embracing and unconditional love for all humanity and for the web of life upon our planet;

I commit myself to fuse power with compassion, might with morality, and strength with sight; to choose nonviolent coexistence rather than violent co-annihilation; to speak for peace and justice throughout the world — within and beyond our doors and shores.

I commit myself to take the following specific actions:

[For example: “I will work for a peaceful settlement of the Iraq war and an end to US military presence there”; “I will use less gasoline”; I will read one of Martin Luther King’s speeches that I have not read”; “I will write my Senators about subsidizing railroads and solar/ wind energy instead of autos, coal, and oil”; “I will work for the hospitality-for-the-homeless program in my church, synagogue, or mosque.” Fill in as follows:] ________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I do this in the knowledge that tomorrow is today, that we are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. Now let us begin. Now let us rededicate ourselves to the long, hard, and beautiful struggle for a new world.

(Signed) _________________________________
Name) _________________________________
Address ________________________________
Phone/s ____________________ Email _______________________________
Breaking of bread, meeting our neighbors: ideally a huge potluck, with people instructed beforehand to bring food to share (no meat).

Recessional and Processionnal. Summoning of the People again; distributions of candles and giving of instructions; candlelight march to the White House. There either silence, or the pledge again, or?? Depending.

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