General Assembly (GA) 2016 Event 265

Program Description

The Ministries and Faith Development Staff Group invites you to join us at this service where we honor those who have died, recognize those who have completed active service, and welcome those who have received fellowship, credentialed or certified status in the past year. The sermon will be delivered by the Rev. Dr. Bill Sinkford, Senior Minister to First Unitarian Church of Portland, Oregon.

Love Calls Us On: Our national narrative and our faith’s story present us as both innocent and wise. The facts on the ground tell a more complicated story. What does faithfulness require when the wisdom of the past seems to be failing? What is love calling us to do in these divisive times when innocence is no longer an option?

Bill served as President of the Unitarian Universalist Association from 2001 to 2009. His tenure was marked by strong public witness for social justice and support for marginalized communities. Bill was the first African American to lead any traditionally white denomination, and was named one of the ten most influential Black religious leaders in the US in both 2005 and 2006. He and his wife Maria have four adult children, and two grandsons.

Our Music Director is Jennifer Hayman. Jen is the Director of Music and Arts at All Souls Church Unitarian in Washington, DC. Since arriving in DC in 2013, Jen has grown the All Souls music program to include more than 200 participants, ages 5 to 80, in seven different performing ensembles. In June 2014, Jen led a successful flash mob for voting rights on the steps of the Supreme Court, resulting in a viral video that was featured on the Huffington Post, Upworthy. com, and the Rachel Maddow Show. Equally passionate about both classical and popular music, Jen has collaborated with various rock and pop musicians and been featured on numerous recordings as a pianist and background vocalist.

Speakers

• Rev. Dr. Bill Sinkford
• Jennifer Hayman
• Lou Whiting
• Rev. Sarah Lammert

Living Tradition Fund

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