Sunday, January 18, 2009 at 7:30 PM – St. Augustine Cathedral in Tucson. In The Spirit performed at the 23rd Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Interfaith Commemorative Service presented by the MLK Jr. Planning Committee.

Producer/Director, Michael Parker conducted: “Blessed is the Spot” with Lystra Lloyd, soloist, Sarah Taraz on piano, and Rick Heyman on guitar. Terry Hurst, Barbara Parker, Ania Rzeszutko, and Winona Smith provided backup vocals.

Pegam Talarizadeh from the Oro Valley Bahá’í community chanted a prayer in Persian. The group was well received by the audience.

In The Spirit performed for an enthusiastic audience at a celebration honoring the life and work of The Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. presented by The Interfaith Council of Santa Cruz, on Monday, January 19, 2009, at the Good Shepherd United Church of Christ in Sahuarita.

The featured speaker was Mr. Leroy W. Parker of Sun Lakes, Arizona, a retired Division Engineering Manager for Kraft Foods. Mr. Parker spoke on several topics including Dr. King’s background and the unfolding of the Civil Rights movement; Dr. King’s impact on his own life; and his personal perspective of a dream realized. The program also included brief remembrances of Dr. King and that era offered by Harold R. Frey Jr. of the Good Shepherd United Church of Christ.

Music was provided by the Good Shepherd United Church of Christ choir. “In The Spirit,” a Bahá’í ensemble from Tucson appeared as special guests. This diverse group conducted by Producer/Director, Michael Parker, offered three selections combining both choral and instrumental music including African drums, flute, ocarina, guitar, and piano.

“Blessed is the Spot” – soloist - Lystra Lloyd, Sarah Taraz on piano, and Rick Heyman on Guitar and the ITS singers.

“Amame (Love Me)” – soloist - Sarah Taraz, Hashme Lloyd on ocarina, Holly Heyman on flute, Michael Parker and Tony Wegener on drums, Rick Heyman on guitar, and the ITS singers.

“Light of Unity” – soloists - Terry Hurst and Lystra Lloyd, Rick Heyman on guitar and the ITS singers.

ITS singers: Holly Heyman, Larry Honig, Terry Hurst, Lystra Lloyd, Hashme Lloyd, Barbara Parker, Ania Rzeszutko, Winona Smith, Sarah Taraz, and Tony Wegener.

The closing musical offering included In The Spirit and the Good Shepherd choir in singing "We Shall Overcome," the anthem of the Civil Rights movement. There wasn't a dry eye in the house.

Pam and Dan Wegener, Baha’is of Pima County South hosted a luncheon for the members of ITS and honored guests of the Interfaith Council of Santa Cruz Valley.