Writings of MLK • In honor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, Christ Church Cathedral in downtown St. Louis will host its third annual Let Freedom Ring — a daylong reading of his writings and speeches today. The nave of the cathedral, 13th and Olive streets, will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the reading, which will be accompanied by a visual display of pictures from the life of the slain civil rights leader. The public is invited both to come and listen and also to take part in the event. Participants may sign up for half-hour reading shifts, but anyone in attendance also will be invited to be part of the reading by coming to the lectern and indicating his or her wish to take over for a time. 314-348-6453

MLK march • The public is invited to the Old Courthouse in downtown St. Louis at 10 a.m. today for a ceremony and to hear speeches from local leaders. At 11 a.m., participants will march from the Old Courthouse to Powell Symphony Hall. The celebration will conclude with an interfaith service and concert at Powell Hall.

King Day of Service • With many government offices, banks and schools closed in observance of Martin Luther King Day today, the city of O'Fallon, Mo., is seeking volunteers to help with service projects from 9 a.m. to noon. The projects will be suitable for all ages. www.ofallon.mo.us/volunteer , 636-379-5408, volunteer@ofallon.mo.us

Cleanup project • Volunteers are asked to meet at Vashon High School, 3035 Cass Avenue, at noon today for a two-hour project to pick up litter from Martin Luther King Drive in St. Louis. This is the third year this annual activity has been scheduled on King Day, and organizers hope to repeat the success of previous years. Trash will picked up in a path from Vandeventer Avenue to 14th Street. Trash bags will be provided. Hot chocolate, coffee, water and bagels will also be provided. 314-809-5083, martcasas@gmail.com

MLK Day observance • Lindenwood University's Black Student Union will present "The Life and Legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr." at 3 p.m. today in the Emerson Black Box Theater of the school's J. Scheidegger Center for the Arts, 2300 West Clay Street, St. Charles. The speaker will be Tyrone Flowers, a motivational speaker and founder of Higher M-Pact, an organization dedicated to high-risk urban youth. Free. www.lindenwood.edu

Wentzville MLK celebration • Area residents are invited to honor the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at 7 p.m. today at Wentzville Holt High School, 600 Campus Drive in Wentzville. This communitywide celebration will feature brief speeches, music and a performance by the Rhema Dance Ministry. Free. 636-327-5101 or 314-591-8468