Voices of ICUU - 1

Hello friends,

I regret not being able to post more live during the conference, but things were a bit hectic for awhile.  One project we undertook was to create some video clips of participants.  Here are a couple of reflections to give you a small sense of why people traveled so far to be part of the Council Meeting and Conference.  Speakers are Kat Kowalski, a Starr King ministry student from the USA, Derek Pariat, President of the Unitarian Union of Northeast India and ICUU Past President Gordon Oliver from South Africa.

On the first full day of meetings, ICUU delegates had the pleasure of welcoming a new full member group and a new emerging group.  From the Netherlands comes our newest full member, the Vrijzinnige Geloofsgemeenschap NPB... more easily known as the NPB.  And after more than four years of contact and work, we were pleased to welcome the Kenyan Unitarian Universalist Council as our newest Emerging Group.  Meet our newest members featuring Wies Houweling from the NPB and Ben Machaira and Josphat Gesimba Mainye from Kenya. On the first full day of meetings, ICUU delegates had the pleasure of welcoming a new full member group and a new emerging group.  From the Netherlands comes our newest full member, the

Inspired by the Children of Manila

OK, now that was different for a Canadian minister!  

On Sunday, February 5^th I had the opportunity to join with about 20 other ICUU types in attending a service with the Unitarian Universalists of Western Bicutan…their name is larger than the open air garage into which they cram a community of about 30 children, 30 adults and us. 

This Bicutan community is located in a poor neighbourhood of Metro Manila and was begun as an outreach project of a congregation in Quezon City.

It was simply one of the most joyous and vibrant services I have ever attended – a sentiment echoed by all of the ‘visitors’.  The quality of warmth and welcome was unlike any I have ever experienced – there was no holding back, no reserve, no shyness.  We were inspired most of all by the participation of the children.    We must have had our hands shook a hundred times each, and the children carefully prepared valentine heart messages for us complete with translations of common words from Tagalog.  

Our wonderfully competent service leader for the day was a 12 year old girl named Irish, and the music came courtesy of Bob Guerrero and his guitar.

“Coffee Hour” came in the form of packets of cookies passed hand to hand.

To the gracious people of Bicutan, we say Salamat! Thank you!