Unitarian Universalist Connections and Nigeria News

My last post was about Peace Corps connections.

I forgot to include the photo of Clem and me at the Nigerian dinner in Nashville, so here it is for you.

Today I’m writing about Unitarian Universalist, or UU, and Nigerian connections too.

First, the UU connections – I’m writing from Providence Rhode Island, where I’m attending the Unitarian Universalist Association General Assembly, or UUA GA, an annual convening.

The opening event at GA is the banner parade, where the 1000+ UU congregations present their banners in a lively march around the convention hall while we all cheer loudly for our own banner and those of friends. The next day the banners are hung around the convention center. I couldn’t find ours from Westport, but I took a photo in front of others. But I can’t seem to get photos from my phone to my computer now, so I’ll have to give it to you later.

Dorcy Erlandson, my classmate from Mount Holyoke College, is my roommate at the Omni Hotel.

Dorcy lives in Paris and is president of the European Unitarian Universalists. They have seven member fellowships – all lay-led – two each in Germany and Switzerland, and one each in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. “We gather twice a year for retreats with up to 150 people coming,” Dorcy says. “We plan two years in advance and invite the best speakers we can find from the United States.”

I went with Dorcy to the International Council of UU’s party after the opening events last night.

Gyerő Dávid, the president of the ICUU, welcomed us all. “When I was growing up and people asked me who I was, I always answered, ‘I am the grandchild of David Gyero,’” he said. “Being part of a family, being tied to someone, makes us belong.” I felt like he was repeating my words from my talk in Nashville to the Friends of Nigeria about being part of a community.

And second, my Nigeria connections. I read Professor Ferraro’s post yesterday with a heavy heart. He reported on another bombing in Abuja, killing 21 people in a mall. Here’s his post where you can read what he said and see a link to a Washington Post article about the bomb blast. The night before, I learned on public television news that another 60 girls and 30 boys were kidnapped. This is not only terribly sad for the families but it is a shame for Nigeria.

But other Nigerian news is happier. Polly at Creative Connections sent me more pictures of art from children in Nigeria. I hope you like this one, African Mama.

And last – the World Cup.

Nigeria, in Group F, lost to Argentina 3-2 yesterday, but still advanced to the next round. They play France on Monday, when I will post again.

Are you following the World Cup?

Who are you rooting for?