AUBURN -- Jan. 15 would have marked the Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s 79th birthday.

Today, many will stop to remember the man and his contributions to peace and understanding between all people and his extraordinary work for civil rights in this country.

Thirty-three years ago, the African-American churches in the community came together to establish a day to remember King, his birthday and achievements.

On Sunday, the halls of the First United Methodist Church hosted the annual celebration that brought together representatives from numerous congregations and organizations in the community.

The gathering is one that focuses on not only King's accomplishments, but also how his message has lived on what can be done to keep that alive and in the minds of people for all time.

Money collected during the service goes toward a scholarship fund established to help achieve that goal.

"We are here not only to remember the past, said Elder Willie Murray of Apostolic Church of The Lord Jesus Christ. "We are here to look at the future. All the money received today will go towards a scholarship. As we grow we hope that this will too."

The service was highlighted with musical performances by the Auburn Community Choir that got many up moving and clapping their hands with songs such as "God's Got A Blessing" and "I Believe."

The celebration also welcomed various community figures such as Mayor Michael Quill, Eli Hernandez, president of the NAACP and Imam Abdur-Rahim Muhammad of Community Wide Dialogue, all of whom spoke on what their thoughts and feelings about King.

For more, read Monday's Citizen