As part of the continuing observance and celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a community interfaith service was held Sunday at the Ames City Auditorium.

The program, “Why the Dream Today? The Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for the 21st Century,” featured speakers, musicians and guests from various religious, cultural and social facets.

“As we were planning [for the program], we wanted to make sure we had people representing different places,” said Rev. Heather Withers, committee chairwoman for the program. “I thought that each person spoke from their heart about what was meaningful to them, and hopefully, it brings us together in our faith as a total community.”

Some of the participants representing groups including the Ames Jewish community, the Baptist faith, the NAACP, the Hindu community, the Buddhist and Daoist traditions and Ames High School.

Ames City Councilwoman Judie Hoffman spoke on the improving interracial relations in the Ames community and challenged residents to continue to work hard to fulfill King’s dream.

“Ames is dedicated to equality and equal opportunity in conducting its affairs. Affirmative action plays an important role,” Hoffman said. “Our staff and human-relations commission work hard to combat hate, but our work is never over. As residents, we must constantly strive to bring about a community free of violence.”

Vic Moss, director of the Ames Emergency Residency Project, helped to put King’s ideas into a more local perspective.

“What would Martin Luther King say about the 2,700 households in Story County that are living below the federal poverty level?” Moss asked. “I believe that he would point out that what is repeatedly called our economic miracle is not a miracle at all because it has not brought everyone to the table.”

Many of the representatives not only illustrated the importance of King’s actions as a civil-rights leader, but also used his visions to challenge the inequality that still exists in today’s society.

“Our main purpose was not only to remember Dr. King, but especially his ideals and his legacy, and that each person could ask themselves, ‘What can I do to continue the dream?'” Withers said.

“So hopefully people went away with something that is personal to them that they can do.”

ISU President Martin Jischke spoke of the challenges that lie before society at the brink of the new millennium.

“Tonight and in the days, weeks and months that follow, we have a great opportunity to determine how this era will begin, how it will continue and how we will be remembered,” Jischke said.