The good people at NETWORK called my attention to an interfaith prayer service, January 16, 2012, from 3-5 p.m. at historic Shiloh Baptist Church here in Washington. The service is sponsored by "Faith Advocates for Jobs" and will focus on Dr. King's deep and abiding commitment to workers and workers' rights, a commitment that led him to Memphis to help plead for better working conditions for that city's sanitation workers and where he was assassinated.
In our own day, those sanitation workers would be dismissed by some as "government employees" and some politicians would deny their right to collectively bargain for better wages and better working conditions. But, Dr. King knew better. This will be a great moment to remind the nation that Dr. King's legacy extended beyond the cause of civil rights: He understood that justice is a multi-facted jewel in the crown of a civilized people.
The sermon will be preached by the Rev. Dr. James Forbes, senior pastor emeritus at Riverside Church and the famed Shiloh Baptist choir will sing. For more information, contact Faith Advocates for Jobs at 202.525.3055.
