On a warm summer day in 1963, a Baptist minister hailing from the state of Georgia traveled to the nation’s capital, to share his vision of a nation no longer divided by racial lines.

Over 50 years later, his dream of a united world is needed more than ever, with debate raging across the country about race and the motivations behind police violence.

On Sunday, the Dowagiac community will again come together to celebrate the life and message of the nation’s more prominent civil rights activist, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As in previous years, the ceremonies will begin at 2 p.m. at Dowagiac City Hall, where local church and government officials will lead the march from downtown the chapel of Second Baptist Church, located on Paul Street.

The celebration comes a day before the federally recognized Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and is once again organized by members of the ACTION ministry network. Among the churches participating in this year’s program are Second Baptist, Conner Mayo AME, Silver Creek United Methodist, First Christian and Victory Tabernacle, said ACTION board member and Second Baptist member Eunice Murray.

“It’s a community celebration,” Murray said. “It’s why so many churches participate in the program every year.”

During the initial assembly at city hall, some introductory remarks will be delivered by Mayor Pro-Tem Leon Laylin and Chad Benkert, ACTION president and pastor of Federated Covenant.

The ceremony will continue with a program held inside Second Baptist, which will begin around 2:30 p.m. In addition to a sermon conducted by Pastor Eugene Staples, a reading of bible passages related to the Dr. King’s message will be delivered during the ceremony as well.

“The reading will be done by pastors with three different churches,” Murray said. “It will be a good representation of the Dowagiac community.”

Following the program, a reception will be held in the fellowship hall of the church, with refreshments provided to visitors.

For those that don’t wish to participate in the march, a slideshow will be played inside the Second Baptist chapel beginning at 1:30 p.m., playing until the beginning of the program an hour later, Murray said.