In honor of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and his vision of beloved community, here are resources to celebrate his legacy and prepare for Human Relations Sunday on January 18.
Human Relations Sunday, set for Sunday, January 18, calls The United Methodist Church to recognize the sacred worth of every person and to challenge the systems that deny dignity and opportunity. It asks us to look honestly at how power operates, who benefits, who is excluded, and who is harmed. Download resources to help your local church honor this day.
This day is not about charity alone. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whose birthday we celebrate on Monday, January 19, spoke often of love — but not a sentimental love. He spoke of agape, a love that seeks to preserve and create community, even when it is costly. He reminded us that the beloved community is not a distant dream.
It is about repairing relationships, addressing structural injustice, and recommitting ourselves to communities where all can flourish. When the church engages this work faithfully, it becomes a clearer witness to God’s justice in the world.
Here are a few resources to honor King’s legacy and his vision of beloved community:
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- Building Beloved Community — The Council of Bishops has published a new book for local church study in response to the global threat of authoritarianism. The book proposes a roadmap of healing by building beloved community.
- 31 Days of Human Rights Leaders — This ready-to-use campaign with downloadable social media assets celebrates individuals whose lives and legacies have shaped the ongoing fight for justice, equity, and dignity for all people.
- 25 Traits of The Beloved Community — What would The United Methodist Church look like, feel like, and be like if the beloved community became real for us?
- Covenant Service for Racial Justice — Written by Rev. Mary C. Johnson, this worship liturgy is in response to the passing of Article V: Racial Justice in The United Methodist Church and is freely available for use in worship services.
This article was adapted from a resource published by the General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR).
Last Updated on January 21, 2026