Sunday Services - First Unitarian Church of Chicago

We begin the celebration of Black History Month with an exploration of some rich African American history. Why do we care about history? Whose histories are important to us? What is "our" history? We appreciate some powerful contributors to this history through time. We welcome new members in an Ingathering Ceremony.

We continue discussing the Alternatives for the War on Drugs, a Unitarian Universalist Study/Action Issue. The subject of drugs often has more opinions than facts. This First Forum will concentrate on presenting factual information about the War on Drugs.

February 11, 2001

What Did St. Valentine Learn?

Worship Leader: Rev. Nina D. Grey

There is a relationship between the words freedom and friendship. There is a connection between the experiences too. Let's think on these things this morning, three days before Valentine's day.

11:45: First Forum: To be announced

America and the rest of the European world bases its philosophy, worldview, and policy on its classical foundation (Greece, Rome, etc.). If Africans ever hope to reclaim our historical legacy, we must begin with a reassessment of our classical roots. This sermon focuses on the cultural achievements of early Africans that have had wide impact.

Roosevelt H. Roberts is Associate Director and Professor of Medew Netcher (Egyptian Hieroglyphs) at the Kemetic Institute of Chicago. Professor Roberts has lectured nationally and internationally on many topics, including crime and punishment in the ghetto, comparative educational and cultural systems, multiculturalism, selected topics in African American history, and Nile Valley history, culture, and languages.

Mr. Roberts, a much sought-after lecturer on education and school reform, has also worked extensively on Chicago Board of Education schools teacher in-service programs through the Kemetic Institute's African Foundations program. Professor Roberts has taught at Northeastern Illinois University Center for Inner City Studies, Olive-Harvey City College, Kennedy-King City College, and Roosevelt University. He has written several books (Medjet Ren Kemet--The Egyptian Name Book, The Excellent Follower, and Debunking the Myth) and many scholarly articles on the education, history, and culture of Africans in the Diaspora as well as on the African continent.

Interfaith Open Communities is a relatively new organization, backed by major Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, and Muslim organizations in the Chicago area. Its goal is to increase the supply of affordable housing throughout the six-county Chicago metro area. It is working through five interfaith area councils, using education for faith communities, interfaith advocacy at the area, metro, and state levels, and direct service projects. Joe Pettit will provide an excellent educational presentation and tell how you can get involved.

If worship and/or religious education are important to you, this forum is one you won't want to miss. The Committee on Sundays, Etc., has been learning what members of the congregation think about our Sunday schedule of worship and religious education, about interest in worship and religious education (especially adult RE) on other days of the week, and about the character of our worship services (including music). Join in the discussion as the committee shares preliminary recommendations and seeks feedback.