Service aims to unify

In 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. dreamed of the day that "all of God's children… will be able to join hands and sing..." \nAt 9 a.m. Monday in the Indiana Memorial Union's Whittenberger Auditorium, members of the Bloomington religious community will try to play their part in making that dream a reality with an interfaith prayer service.\nThe organization of the event was spearheaded by the director of the Center for University Ministry, Rev. Rebecca Jiménez. Jiménez and other religious leaders across campus felt that a service of unity would be one of the most appropriate ways to honor King's memory and legacy.\n"He was about non-violence, reconciliation, justice, and passion," Jiménez said. "When people of different faiths could come together to build a beloved community, we're absolutely following the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr."\nThe service will begin with a liturgical dance, which will be followed by a reading of excerpts from King's 1967 "The Birth of a New Nation." Prayers and hymns from the faiths of Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Baha'i will follow the speech. The reading of a Buddhist benediction will also be included.\n"My one regret is that there was not a larger representation (of faiths)," said Jiménez, who is optimistic that this year's event could be successful enough to draw a more diverse lineup in the future.\nAnother key coordinator in the event is Rabbi Sue Shifron, director of the Helen G. Simon Hillel Center. Shifron was pleased to get involved with the project from the start and feels it is vital for groups to perpetuate King's message of unity and diversity.\n"It's important for us to have interfaith dialogue and activities," Shifron said. "It allows us to celebrate differences in tradition."\nEvent organizers are not the only people who believe the event will be successful in relaying its message. Freshman Ben Grubert thinks the service will be a valuable lesson in spirituality for all involved.\n"No matter how strong your faith in your own religion is, it's always important to keep an open mind about others," Grubert said. "It's one of the best ways you can grow spiritually"