"Imagine the Power to Change the World"

Todd Pittenger - Sun 07:37 PM 01/20/2013

The choir holds up signs after singing John Lennon's "Imagine".

The chapel at Grand Avenue United Methodist Church was filled nearly to capacity as Salinans gathered Sunday afternoon to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

A diverse group participated in the event, which was titled “Imagine: You Have the Power to Change the World”.

The event included words, song, and even dance.

Salina Central student Damion Cooper performed a solo interpretive dance, and St. John’s Military School student Darius Bridgeman spoke. Lakewood Middle School student Alex Botz was recognized for his work in diversity.

A combined community choir sang Mercy Me’s “I Can Only Imagine” and John Lennon’s “Imagine”. The congregation joined the choir in singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing”.

Bridgeman spoke about things we can and should all do in our lives to make a difference. He said that small things, like speaking out for someone who is being laughed at, or offering friendship to someone who does not have many friends “can make a big difference”.

The featured speaker was former Abilene Mayor Nesha Bailey-Mason. She said that we all have the ability to do what Dr. King did, create change. “We all have the power to create change, one encounter at a time,” she said. “Meaningful change takes patience, perseverance, and faith. Change takes time,” she said.

The event ended with everyone standing, holding hands, and singing “We Shall Overcome”.

The celebration was the highlight of several days’ worth of events in Salina celebrating the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

On Monday, the actual Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday, a celebration service will be held at noon at St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church at 215 S. Chicago.

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