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January 6
Rev. Dr. Nina D. Grey
Signs of the Times
In the western Christian calendar, January 6 is epiphany, the end of the
twelve days of Christmas, and the time of the visit of the three kings
to the baby Jesus and the early revelation to them of the baby's royal
identity. In modern usage, an epiphany is a distinct revelation of a deeper
truth, sometimes through apparently trivial events. What small and large
truths might we recognize today if we have "ears to hear and eyes
to see?"
In this New Year's service, we are invited to join in our annual ritual
of "Letting Go" to make way for the new.
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January 13
Rev. Dr. Nina D. Grey
What We Eat and What It Means
Our young people participate in our Empty Bowls project during the month
of January, leading to our Empty Bowls luncheon on the first Sunday in
February. The adults in the congregation will have an opportunity to help
them decorate bowls on January 20 after church. The proceeds from the
Empty Bowls luncheon and sale of the beautiful bowls
supports the Hyde Park Hunger Programs, the Food Pantry and Open Kitchen.
This morning we reflect on the impact of our own and our nation's eating
habits on our bodies, minds and spirits and on the larger environment.
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January 20
Rev. James A. Hobart
Wanted: Justice-Servers and Peace-Makers
Martin Luther King, Jr. Sunday
In America, our domestic policy leads to increased oppression, injustice
and poverty. Abroad, our U.S. foreign policy promotes violence and serves
war. Our choices? We can follow Martin Luther King, Jr., seeking to be
justice-servers and peace-makers ourselves. Or, we can celebrate his accomplishments
in the 1950s and 1960s from afar, and make him into an American icon.
Rev. James A. Hobart is an Affiliate Minister and member of First
Unitarian Church. He is currently the Coordinator of Field Education at
Meadville Lombard Theological School. Jim has been a Unitarian Universalist
minister since his graduation from Meadville Lombard in 1964. During his
ministerial career, he has also served Unitarian Universalist congregations
in Massachusetts, Ohio, Illinois, Colorado and Pennsylvania. He participated
in the peace movement, civil liberties and anti-oppression activity. During
the 1960s and 1970s he was active in the Civil Rights movement in Massachusetts,
Alabama, Ohio and Illinois. He has been involved in efforts for affordable
housing, a livable income, and integrated quality education. He has served
on the boards of the ACLU in Pittsburgh and Colorado.
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January 27
Dr. Khlur Mukhim
"To Nang Roi"
Unitarians in the Khasi Hills of India
Dr. Khlur Mukhim, a Unitarian leader of the Khasi Hills of India, will
share stories of how Unitarians came to be in India, and what their faith
is like. Their motto: "To Nang Roi" means "Keep on Progressing."
What does it mean in light of our Unitarian connections?
Dr. Khlur Mukhim is a young and dynamic lay leader of the Unitarians
in the Khasi Hills of India. The Khasi Unitarians do not have an ordained
clergy. Rather they designate outstanding men and women as "Church
Visitors" whose task it is to visit and preach at various congregations
every Sunday and to offer them other sorts of guidance. With his doctorate
in biology Dr. Mukhim teaches at a local university. He is considered
by many in the Khasi Hills to be one of their best preachers. He is also
a co-founder of the Sponsor-a-Student Program.
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