Date: Passed: Saturday, October 27, 2018, 8:00 pm EDT
For Cedar Lane’s UN Sunday on October 28, 2018, we welcomed Ambassador Keith Harper to the pulpit for both the 9:00 am and the 11:00 am services. Under the Obama Administration, Ambassador Harper served from 2014-17 as the U.S. Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland. He was the first Native American to ever receive the rank of U.S. Ambassador. Ambassador Harper is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, and as a lawyer he is known for focusing his practice on Native American affairs, litigation, and international clients from the private as well as the public sector.
Ambassador Harper reflected on the 70th anniversary of the UN Declaration of Human Rights, a milestone document, which underpins all international human rights law and inspires us to continue to work to ensure all people can gain freedom, equality and dignity.
During both services, Cedar Lane also welcomed special guests Nathaniel Nyok, one of the “Lost Boys” of South Sudan, and his wife Mary, who are refuges living in the United States. Nathaniel and Mary were available in the lounge after each service to sell his book about his experiences. Proceeds go to Ambassadors for Change (a 501(c)3), founded by Nathaniel Nyok to build a high school in Bor, Jonglei State, South Sudan, Nyok’s native village.
Music for both services was provided by the Instrumental Trio, Barrio Andalusi, on oud, violin, and frame drum and riqq. The ensemble focuses on Middle Eastern and Mediterranean music, and performed traditional Sephardic and North African music for Cedar Lane.
During the Chapel service at 9:00 am for Cedar Lane youth, the universal theme of resilience was discussed, applying it to both Cedar Lane kids and the kids Cedar Lane supports in Rwenena, DR Congo. After each service, handmade African crafts were sold to benefit Cedar Lane’s Rwenena Kids program in DR Congo.
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