January 1

Kwanzaa Service

This year we will gather in Hull Chapel on New Year's Day, the last day of Kwanzaa, to celebrate this important eight-day African American cultural holiday, often celebrated in families and extended families. Individuals and families of our congregation will carry the Kinara, candles, fruits and other artifacts that are traditional on this day, and place them on our altar. We will light the candles of the Kinara, and ponder the meanings of the seven principles of Kwanzaa for individuals, families and community.

January 8

A New Year Reflection: Resolve and Courage

Sermon: Rev. Nina D. Grey
Worship Leader: Danielle Gerrior

In New Year cartoons and other images, we see an old one departing, and a new baby entering, but we do bring our old selves into the new year, and our world brings many of its same old challenges, as well as some new ones. This service includes a child dedication ceremony of Eleanor Gyuk, as well as a ceremony of letting go of the old to make room for the new. We’ll reflect on resolutions for the future, and what it might take to make a personal or communal vision into a reality.

January 15

Reflections on Dr. King

Speaker: Archene Turner

Archene Turner, seminarian from Meadville/Lombard will offer her reflections on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and current anti-racism work needed today.

Archene Turner is a fifth year seminarian at Meadville/Lombard. She is currently an intern at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, Virginia. She is in Chicago this weekend also participating in continuing work on anti-racism with the Meadville/Lombard community.

January 22

Trees in the Living Room

Speaker: Rev. Lee Barker

Too often the obvious goes unstated. Rev. Barker will discuss the religious dangers of keeping quiet and the promise of giving notice.

Rev. Lee Barker is the President of the Meadville Lombard Theological School and, with his wife Kris and daughter Ava, a member of First Church. Rev. Barker last preached at First Church on May 1. Before coming to Meadville Lombard, he was the minister of Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church in Pasadena, California.

January 29

Winter in Poetry, Prose and Song

Homily: Rev. Nina D. Grey

Nearing the midpoint between the winter solstice and spring equinox, and probably tired enough of the cold and likely ice, we celebrate that which we endure, with words and music. Join us for this warming (we hope) experience. If you have favorite winter poetry or readings, or would like to participate in planning and offering this service, please contact Rev. Grey.

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