Reflecting on Our First MLK Day Service: UU Lansing, 1986
By Ed Busch
This week, as we honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day, let’s look back at its first observance as a federal holiday on January 20, 1986. Signed into law by President Ronald Reagan on November 2, 1983, this historic day came after years of advocacy following Dr. King’s assassination in 1968. Observed on the third Monday of January, it wasn’t without controversy—several states resisted its celebration or combined it with other holidays. It wasn’t until 2000 that MLK Day was universally recognized across the U.S.
The Lansing State Journal highlighted events across the nation marking this milestone:
A march at a former slave market site in St. Augustine, FL.
A tree planting at Hawaii’s State Capitol.
A 10K Freedom Run in San Diego.
The unveiling of a bust of Dr. King in the U.S. Capitol rotunda.
Wreath laying at King’s tomb by President Reagan and Vice President Bush
UU Lansing’s Celebration
Locally, our congregation played its part in honoring Dr. King’s legacy. In January 1986, Rev. Maryell Cleary, our interim minister, led a service that not only celebrated Dr. King but highlighted the work of other Black leaders.
UU Lansing Staff January 1985: Henry DuBois (caretaker), Renee Swanson (R.E. Director), interim minister Rev. Maryell Cleary. Marion Walsh was our church president at this time. (Note that this photograph is 1 year prior to the MLK service.) (2008.0155)
The January 13, 1986 Liberal Express newsletter shared this week’s events:
January 16: Women’s Bag Lunch at Barbara Ataman’s home.
January 19:
Sunday Service – “Transformers.”
R.E. Family Sledding Party.
Playreaders gathering at the Mellens’ house.
January 22: Women’s Bookreading Group.
January 23: Choir practice.
At the January 19 service, the program included:
A retelling of the Rosa Parks story by the 3rd-5th grade class.
Music, readings, and reflections, including “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child” and excerpts from Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
A reading from Dr. King’s essay “Pilgrimage to Non-Violence”.
A reminiscence by Beth Bogue about marching in Montgomery, AL.
Poetry from the 1965 Freedom School Poetry publication. (The complete text of this publication is viewable at https://www.crmvet.org/poetry/64_fskool_poems-r.pdf .)
The choir performed the anthem “Precious Lord, Take My Hand”.
Cover from the January 19, 1986 Order of Service. (The complete Order of Service can be viewed.
Following the singing of “Precious Lord, Take My Hand”, Rev. Cleary’s sermon, “Transformers,” explored the impact of Civil Rights leaders. The service concluded with the choir and congregation singing the hymn “We Shall Overcome”.
The Celebrations Committee included this in the order of service at the end:
The joy of discovering Martin Luther King, Jr. in a new way and with new depth was one of the best parts of this service. Special thank-you's go to all the people who have contributed their special understanding to this program. Thank you specifically to Paul Landen, Beth Bogue, Joan Fairey, Betty Honey, Terry Dennis, Renee Swanson, Peter Signell, Randy Scott, Rod McComber, Gail Oranchak, and the 3rd through 5th-grade classes, Bill Wells, Marie Bohnhorst, and the choir.
Call for Memories
Were you part of or in attendance at this memorable service? Share your reflections and stories by emailing uucgl.archives@gmail.com. Let’s continue to honor Dr. King’s legacy and our congregation’s role in celebrating his vision of equality and justice.
Have ideas for future blog topics, questions, corrections, or stories to share? Email me at uucgl.archives@gmail.com. If you have photographs to contribute to the archives, please let me know—we’d love to preserve those memories!
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About the Author
For those wondering who’s behind these blog posts: I’m Ed Busch, and I’m excited to share the history of UU Lansing with you. I retired in 2023 after 15 years as an Electronic Records Archivist at Michigan State University’s Archives & Historical Collections. My background is in archival administration and information science, with an undergraduate degree in Fisheries and coursework in Computer Science. Prior to a career shift, I also worked in fisheries, aerospace, and Information Technology. My wife, Leigh White, and I began attending UU Lansing in the early 2000s and became members in 2006. I’ve been involved with the church archives since 2007, and both of our daughters went through UU Lansing’s RE program.