WELD – Churches of the United Church of Christ in Franklin County will hold a “Mountain Top” Civil Rights Observance in honor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and in support of the current Maine Human Rights Law that includes sexual orientation as having civil rights protection.

Hikers will gather at the Mt. Blue trailhead at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, to climb the peak. At the summit there will be a celebration in song and prayer and the reading of Dr. King’s “Mountain Top” speech.

For those who are not in a position to hike that day, at noon there will be a gathering at the Center Hill picnic area in Mt. Blue State Park for a similar celebration.

Throughout Maine, churches of the United Church of Christ will hold observances on many of Maine’s prominent peaks, including Mount Katahdin and Cadillac Mountain.

Events will be held rain or shine. The public is invited. Those wishing to participate should dress for the weather and bring lunch. For more information, call 778-9915 or 645-2535.