Peace on Earth
By Joseph Plummer
In this weekend’s Sunday Service, four Unitarian Universalists living in San Miguel de Allende will highlight four great world religious traditions that drink from the wine vats of peace—Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, and Kwanzaa.
Binding African Americans in a brotherhood, Kwanzaa begins this Sunday as a seven-day celebration of Umoja and Kuumba. As UUFSMA member Cliff DuRand explains, the former principle stands for unity and the latter for bequeathing a community sharing a life of greater beauty and common benefit.
As last Sunday’s service emphasized love and hope for enduring peace in the celebration of Christmas, the four great traditions honored in this service also offer a chalice brimming with the wine of peace. Raised in the Jewish tradition, UUFSMA President Dan Neuspiel shares his understanding of Judaism, where the symbolism of wine often honors the blessings of peace. As Buddhist Joan Wolf explains, through meditation and yoga, Buddhism cultivates a peaceful spiritual path extending from the ancient wisdom of India. Ali Rizvi will speak about the path of peace in Islam, which he has found in that great Abrahamic religion.
These presenters understand the depth of the faith traditions they will discuss. A retired pediatrician, Neuspiel’s insights into the religious roots of peace grew from his upbringing in a Jewish family and his commitment to Unitarian Universalism. Raised in an Irish Catholic family in Chicago, Wolf helped to market lecture tours of Ram Dass in the 1980s, accepted the Mindfulness Trainings of Thich Nhat Hahn, and now facilitates the UUFSMA’s weekly Sangha of the Heart.
Born in Pakistan and raised in the Islamic tradition of Sufism, Rizvi grew up in the United States and has also lived in Egypt and the United Kingdom. He currently works as a technology manager and continues to draw upon an earlier career as a whole-life healer and coach. As a professor and activist, DuRand draws inspiration from the words of Isaiah, “They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.”
To participate in our online Sunday Service, visit www.uufsma.org and click on the Zoom Service button on the home page. If requested, enter password: 294513. Sign-in from anywhere Sunday mornings between 10:15-10:25am.
UUFSMA donates at least 50 percent of its income to nonprofit organizations assisting underserved communities in the San Miguel region. Please support this work by clicking on the website home page Donate button. Now more than ever, your support is essential.
In addition to continuing live Zoom services, UUFSMA has returned to limited in-person Sunday services. Members and friends may attend in-person services at the Hotel de la Aldea by contacting Diana Amaya (info.uufsma@gmail.com) for important safety guidelines that must be followed. And when seats remain on Sunday morning, guests who show their vaccination cards can join the in-person service. Our fellowship welcomes people of all ages, races, religions, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Enjoy previous services at www.youtube.com/. Enter UUFSMA in the search box.
“Peace on Earth”
Speakers: Cliff DuRand, Dan Neuspiel, Ali Rizvi, Joan Wolf
Sun, Dec 26, 10:30am
Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/414604040
Password: 294513
