A Community of One, the City of Evanston, several not-for-profit organizations and faith based organizations will be hosting the 2011 Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Peace Pledge Day on Jan. 17. This community wide event is a day of celebration recognizing the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and a day to make a personal pledge for peace in the Evanston community.

The day’s events will begin with a Community Coffee and Service Fair from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at First United Methodist Church of Evanston, 516 Church Street. At the Community Coffee and Service Fair, Evanston based non-profits that serve the Evanston community will be in attendance and Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl will discuss the Volunteer Evanston service-based website which will launch in February.

Following the fair, a Peace March will begin at First United Methodist Church of Evanston to the Music Institute of Chicago, 1490 Chicago Avenue. At the Music Institute, the group will join Y.O.U. Inc. in their 5th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration “Diverse Evanston Walks United” and proceed on to Second Baptist Church of Evanston, 1717 Benson Avenue where the Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Interfaith Convocation to be held at 12:00 (noon). Rabbi Andrea London of Beth Emet the Free Synagogue will be the keynote speaker at the Convocation.

After the Convocation, there will be a panel discussion on “Religion, Diversity and Keys to Community Building” which is scheduled from 2:30-4:00 p.m. at Second Baptist Church. The day’s events will draw to a close with a Candlelight Vigil at 4:30 p.m. at Second Baptist Church of Evanston.

Event organizers are asking residents to bring one or more non-perishable items with them to any of the events. Collection bins to support Connections for the Homeless-Evanston will be available at all event locations.

The various bodies of faith are calling upon each individual to make a personal pledge of peace through service for 2011. The community is invited to be part of some or all of the day’s activities.

Sponsoring organizations include: A Community of One; the City of Evanston; Volunteer Evanston; Youth Organizations Umbrella, Inc.; Beth Emet the Free Synagogue; First Congregational Church of Evanston; First United Methodist Church of Evanston; Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary; Lake Street Church of Evanston; and Second Baptist Church of Evanston.

For further information, e-mail to communityofone.evanston@gmail.com.