King Day Letter to Beloved Network Groups January 5, 2012

The Greensboro Beloved Network

417 Arlington Street, Greensboro, NC 27406
January 5, 2012

Keep the Movement Moving

Dear Friend, We extend warm greetings and best wishes for a very productive New Year. We know that your time is valuable so we will get right to the point. We want to make use of the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday to build and strengthen the movement for social and economic justice. Last year on August 6th, as a result of the excellent work of 10 interns that worked in low-income neighborhoods in Southeastern Greensboro, the Beloved Network was formed as a project of the Beloved Community Center. Enclosed is a brochure about the purpose, principles and objectives of the Beloved Network. Now back to King Day. We want to formally invite you to participate in three closely connected activities on January 16th, the official day for celebrating the King Holiday. All of these activities are designed to build the movement and to keep the movement moving. 1. Participate in the King Day Parade: The Beloved Network will have an official place in the march with a large Beloved Network Banner. We want to invite you to come and participate in the King Day March. It will begin at 11:00am at the Benbow Professional Center, 2021 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive. The march is typically full of energy and provides an excellent occasion for the various organization and groups to help grow and exhibit the unity of the movement. If you have a banner (or can make one) feel free to bring it. Maybe you can make several placards with the name of your organization. The idea is to have as many movement groups and organizations as possible marching together, showing unity and supporting each other. Look for the Beloved Network Banner when you arrive at the assembly place. 2. Participate in a Movement Building Meeting: The march will end at Arlington Street and Martin Luther King Boulevard, just before the railroad underpass that leads to downtown. Faith Community Church and the Beloved Community Center office are located at the corner of Martin Luther King Boulevard and Arlington Street. The Beloved Network will be holding a meeting for about an hour to share the experience of the march and to have a brief discussion about how to strengthen the movement in Greensboro and to Keep the Movement Moving. There will be hot coffee, apple cider, water, and donuts available to give you energy boost as we talk.

3. Participate in the Pulpit Forums Worship Service at 6:00 PM. The culminating event for King Day will be the worship service at Trinity AME Zion Church, 631 East Florida Street. We have an extraordinary speaker scheduled, Reverend Dr. Madeline McClenny-Sadler (see enclosed flyer). Also, all the groups will be recognized and asked to stand. Get all the members of your group who can to attend. In addition, there will be inspiring music and special excerpts from Dr. Kings most powerful speeches. The theme of the entire service is Keep the Movement Movingone of Dr. Kings inspiring sayings. You dont want to miss it! Last year over 1,000 people attended. Come early to obtain a good seat. Although times are difficult, it is exciting to be alive in 2012. As we grow our knowledge and unity we can do so much. Brother Louis Beveridge, Rev. Joseph Frierson, and Brother Wesley Morris, along with me and others, have been working hard to make this King Day a special occasion of which Dr. King himself would be proud. As soon as you read this letter, would you please call Brother Beveridge or Frierson or Morris at 336-230-0001 and let them know you will be participating. We need your proactive help. Please be in touch.

Yours in the Spirit of Faith, Love and Work,

Rev. Nelson N. Johnson Beloved Community Center and Greensboro Beloved Network and
Faith Community Church