Speaker: Rev. Kenneth Torquil MacLean

What is the difference between IARF, WCRP, ICUU, and PCC? (And the challenge question: is the CUC a member of the UUA?)

Ken MacLean, UUA Special Assistant for Interfaith and International Relations, introduced the talk on International Connections by explaining the alphabet soup.

The International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF) is the oldest organization; founded in 1900, it fosters interfaith dialog and friendship among diverse religions. The largest organization is the World Conference of Religions and Peace (WCRP); this organization was instrumental in bringing together the four major religions in Bosnia. The International Council of Unitarians and Universalists (ICUU) fosters dialog among Unitarians and Universalists from 20 member groups in six continents. While the Partner Church Council (PCC) sponsors 170 partnerships between UUA and Transylvanian congregations. And finally, though the individual Canadian Unitarian congregations are UUA members, the Canadian Unitarian Council is a member of the ICUU.

Following Ken MacLean's introduction, Rev. John Rex described the similarities and differences of the Indian Unitarians, both the Khasi Unitarian Union and the Unitarian Christian Church of Chennai. The Khasi Hills Unitarians now receive email, thanks to Hotmail.com.

Rev. Fred Muir described the Universalist of the Negros Oriental island in the Philippines. In 1950, their leader received a gift, wrapped in a newspaper. By chance, this paper included an advertisement for a Universalist Church in the USA. This led to an association with the UUA, which continues today. Fred Muir suggested that a sermon by Universalist founder John Murray would be well received by the Universalists in the Philippines.

Though in some ways these international groups are diverse in individual beliefs and theologies, they are united by a belief in liberty of conscience and individual thought in matters of faith, and by affirming their belief in the inherent worth and dignity of every person.

Finally, there was the CC, the Council of Cynics, but they disbanded because they thought they could achieve nothing.

Report submitted by Mike and Kok Heong McNaughton, formatted for the web by Margy Levine Young

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