Reverend Derrick Pariat - President of the Unitarian Union of North East India - arrived in Bellevue, Washington yesterday (May 12th) to begin a six week visit with UU congregations throughout the USA.

Rev. Pariat started church work in 1996 serving as Secretary of the Unitarian Church of Nongthymmai, Shillong (India). He was called to Ministry in 1999 and served first as a Church Visitor, and was later ordained (with former UUA President Rev. William Sinkford's participation) in February 2002. Rev. Pariat served the Board of the UUNEI in different Capacities ( R.E. Director, Chairman of the Finance Committee and Vice President) for a number of years. He was first elected President of the UUNEI in 2008 and then was re-elected to that position in April, 2011. Rev. Pariat's "day job" is with The Broadcasting Corporation of India as a News & Current Affairs and Music Producer. He trained in Mass Communication and Journalism at the Film and Television Institute of India, in Pune. He also studied in St. Edmund's School and College and completed a BSc (Life Science) and BEd ( Bachelors in Education) from North Eastern Hill University. Rev. Pariat is accompanied on his visit by his wife Danibha Pyrbot (Dani) who is currently serving the Government of Meghalaya as Senior Lecturer in History at the Directorate of Educational Research and Training. She is currently researching the relationship between Unitarianism and Indigenous Religious movements in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills as part of her PhD program. The Pariats' itinerary includes visits with East Shore Unitarian Church (Bellevue, WA), the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara (Santa Barbara, CA), All Souls Unitarian Church (New York, NY), Clearwater UUs (Clearwater, FL), UU Congregation of the Upper Valley (Norwich, VT), and a variety of churches in the Washington DC area, including All Souls Unitarian Church, River Road UU Church, UU Congregation of Fairfax, Mt Vernon Unitarian Church, and Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church. From June 21 - 26, the Pariat's will attend the UUA General Assembly in Charlotte, N C. If you would like more information about Rev. Pariat's visit, including his preaching schedule, please contact the UUA's International Office. Welcome Derrick and Dani! Its a great joy to extend hospitality to you. Have a wonderful visit, and please feel at home.