As Unitarian Universalists, we hope to be welcoming and open people.  And yet, we’re all familiar with the warning: “Don’t talk to strangers!”  One of the gifts of spiritual growth is the deepening ability to love people we think of as “other” and to embrace the parts of ourselves we don’t know (or like) very well.  Lynn Harrison will offer both spoken and musical reflections on the joys and challenges of “Talking to Strangers”.

Click here to listen to the awesome song Lynn sang as our postlude!  (Shared with permission.)

The complete sermon can be read below:

In celebration of Martin Luther King Day we will explore the man whose legacy not only forever changed the civil rights movement, but whose ideals are also deeply embedded in our UU tradition.  We will consider the extent to which we as Unitarian Universalists embody those ideals in the life of our congregation and in our personal lives.

Lori Kyle is the UUCD’s spiritual leader.  In May 2014 Lori completed her Master of Divinity degree.  She hopes to be ordained in 2015 following her April interview with the Unitarian Universalist Association Ministerial Fellowship Committee.

Herizon House is a not-for profit, charitable organization which provides temporary shelter and services to abused women and their children in Durham Region.  They provide non-judgmental, supportive counselling based on a feminist analysis of violence against women.  They advocate on behalf of women and children and are committed to ending the cycle of abuse and violence in the community.  In her talk, Ms Hector-Alexander will provide an overview of the services provided at Herizon House and how they support women's transition back into the community independently and free from abuse and violence.  She will also talk about the types of abuse, cycle of abuse and the impact of abuse on entire families and communities and discuss the stigma of abuse and how we as a community can be supportive to survivors of abuse.

Allison Hector-Alexander is a mother, wife, feminist, nurturer and educator.  She is presently the Outreach Crisis Councellor at Herizon House as well as the Diversity Consultant at Durham College and works within an anti-oppression/ anti-racism framework.  Allison’s work centres around human rights education with a focus on violence against women, power and privilege dynamics and cultural awareness.  Previous work includes the development of a campus women’s centre, food centre and an LGBTQ centre as well as work in cultural safety, violence against women and the employment readiness field.  Allison has worked with diverse groups of individuals which comprise of youth at risk, street involved youth, Ontario Works recipients, new immigrants, women survivors of abuse, faculty and students.  Allison has a social work background and is presently pursuing a degree in Digital Technology and Adult Education with a focus on how technology impacts social location.

Fire, as one of the four elements, it fundamental to our journey.  It enlightens, warms, and purifies... all essential for sojourning on a spiritual path.  This Sunday Lori Kyle will join us in exploring how fire can assist us in burning away aspects of our lives that no longer serve us on our journey, as well as how it symbolizes commitment to new beginnings.

Lori Kyle is the UUCD’s spiritual leader.  In May 2014 Lori completed her Master of Divinity degree.  She hopes to be ordained in 2015 following her April interview with the Unitarian Universalist Association Ministerial Fellowship Committee.