This celebration is supported in part by the Reimer/Boese Worship and Arts Endowment
Community,
Commemoration,
Celebration
A weekend of remembrance, music, prayer and community, in partnership with Hesston College, Newton Community for Racial Justice, and the Newton Public Library
Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2026
Join Bethel College, Hesston College and partners across Harvey County as we remember Dr. King’s life and legacy and lean into his call to beloved community through music, story, prayer and shared experience.
Dear Friends,
Thank you so much for your interest in this evening’s program. We are grateful for the care and attention so many have shown toward this historic moment.
To those of you who are attending tonight, we look forward to your arrival on campus. Again, to reiterate, the doors to Memorial Hall will open at 5:30 pm. A light meal will be served.
We want to share an important detail: due to the terms of our agreement with the King Estate, tonight’s listening experience of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1960 speech will not be livestreamed. However, the concert portion of the evening will be recorded. Once that recording is available, we will gladly share the link so that you may view it at a later time.
Thank you for your understanding and for honoring the significance of this moment with us. We truly appreciate your interest and support.
Warmly,
Sheryl
Sheryl R. Wilson, MLS
Vice President of Culture and Belonging
Weekend Schedule at a Glance
Come for one event or journey through the full weekend together. All events are free and open to the public.
Sunday
January 18, 2026
3 p.m.
Melodies From Heaven
A choral concert event lifting up music, memory and the spirit of Dr. King’s call to beloved community. This collaborative concert with the Central Kansas Master Chorale, the Bethel College Concert Choir and the Hesston College Bel Canto Singers will feature Bethel College alumna Roz McCommon and her band. The performance explores the cultural influence of music genres and includes African, spiritual, bluegrass, blues, jazz, soul and gospel music.
Monday
January 19, 2026
8-9 a.m.
Prayer Breakfast
Hesston College hosts a breakfast featuring prayers from local clergy. Come share a meal, connect with neighbors and pray for our community.
10 a.m.-3 p.m.
MLK History-Themed Escape Room
Families, students and community members are invited to test their teamwork and problem-solving skills in an MLK-inspired escape room experience hosted at the Newton Public Library by Newton Community for Racial Justice.
6 p.m.
Historic Listening Experience
Join us in Memorial Hall to hear Dr. King’s January 1960 address delivered here at Bethel College. This rare opportunity invites our community to sit with the power of his words in the very space where they were first spoken.
A note about dinner:
We recognize that this gathering takes place during the dinner hour, and we want to honor the time and care it takes to come together. A light meal will be available just prior to the program, offered as a gesture of hospitality and community. While it is not a full dinner service, we hope it provides enough nourishment to allow you to attend without needing to worry about an evening meal. Non-meat and gluten-free options will be available. We look forward to sharing both food and reflection together. As a result, we will open the doors at 5:30 pm so that we may begin promptly at 6pm.
7 p.m.
FeaturedBethel’s MLK Celebration Event
Our culminating program will feature alumna Roz McCommon, who will lead A Better World: The Journey of MLK, as part of an evening chronicling Dr. King’s life and continuing impact. This theatrical music performance will include the Bethel College choirs and orchestra, the Hesston College Bel Canto Singers, and local artists.
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”
Volunteers Needed
Volunteer to serve at the MLK -themed Escape Room event at the Newton Public library by clicking here
Volunteer to serve at Memorial Hall as a greeter, usher, setup help, and breakdown help by clicking here
Hesston Mennonite Church: 309 S Main St, Hesston, KS 6706
Hesston College: 301 S Main St, Hesston, KS 67062
Newton Public Library: 223 E 7th St, Newton, KS 67114
Bethel College: 300 E 27th St, North Newton, KS 67117
Community Partners
MLK weekend 2026 is a collaboration rooted in shared commitment to justice, equity and beloved community.
- Bethel College
- Hesston College
- Newton Community for Racial Justice
- Newton Public Library
Together, we seek to honor Dr. King’s legacy by nurturing spaces of remembrance, honest conversation, joy and collective action across Harvey County.
More Details
Please contact Sheryl R. Wilson, Bethel College Vice President of Culture and Belonging, with any questions.
Email: swilson@bethelks.edu
Phone: 316-283-2500