DIVERSITY DAY FESTIVAL SET FOR THIS SUNDAY IN WOODSTOCK

Diversity Day 2009: We’re In This Together! will be held this Sunday, September 27 from 1 to 4 PM on the Square in Woodstock.

For the 13th annual festival will take note of “The tough economic times that have taken a devastating toll on our community and nation while the world remains in turmoil,” festival Executive Director Patrick Murfin explained. “Sometimes fear and anxiety cause groups to turn on each other and bigots seek to exploit those fears. But in times like these we need each other more than ever. Our festival is meant to rally the whole community regardless of race, religion, national origin, language, gender, sexual orientation, age or ability in mutual respect and celebration.”

The festival program will feature live entertainment and inspiring messages from individuals and organizations working together in the face of adversity.

Musical and performance acts include The Frothy Boys, a ebullient men’s doo-wop a cappella ensemble; legendary McHenry County story teller Jim May; blind singer/guitarist Pierre Berube; pianist Matt Chopin; the Bolivian folk dancing of Corazon Boliviano Grupo de Danza Folkloria directed by Julieta L. Bolivar; and folk music by Keith Johnson and Judy Matzen.

Murfin will be joined by his long time festival co-host Gloria Urch in introducing featured speakers. Joe Blanco, coordinator of the Woodstock PADS site will talk about homelessness. Suzanne Hoban of the Family Health Partnership Clinic will speak on healthcare and Julie Biel-Claussen of the McHenry County Housing Authority will discuss the challenges of finding affordable housing.

An annual highlight of Diversity Day is the Peace and Justice Award presented to an individual or individuals who have advanced the causes of justice, equity and compassion in our community and the world. This year the recipient is Thomas Dincecco who has dedicated his retirement years to service to those in need. Among other activities, Dincecco is the coordinator of the Direct Assistance Program (DAP) of the Woodstock Community Ministry which provides emergency grants to those who fall between the cracks of the safety net. The award will be presented by last year’s recipient, Sue Rose of the Housing Authority.

Carlos Acosta of the McHenry County Latino Coalition will present this year’s recipients of the organization’s Scholarship Awards, sponsored by State Farm Insurance.

The festival also includes table displays with information from non-profit organizations, social service providers, government agencies, issue advocacy organizations, religious groups, political parties, and businesses.

Diversity Day 2009: We’re In This Together! Is organized by the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Woodstock. Admission is free and open to the public.
For information contact Murfin at 815 814-5645, e-mail divday@sbcglobal.net.

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Woodstock—A New Name for an Historic Church

Here is some important news from church that organizes Diversity Day.

One of Woodstock’s most venerable churches is changing its name. On July 12 the Congregational Unitarian Church officially becomes the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Woodstock.

The Congregation voted to change the name at its May meeting to become effective when all of the legal documents and details were amended. That process has been completed.

According to the Rev. Dan Larsen, minister of the church since 1990, “The new name reflects who we are now while reclaiming a lost part of our identity and honoring our roots.”

It is the fourth name for the church, which has occupied the corner of Dean and South Streets since being founded by returning Civil War veterans in 1866 as the First Congregational Church of Woodstock. After seeking dual affiliation with the Universalist Church in America in 1937, it became the Congregational Universalist Church.

In 1984 members of the congregation, following the consolidation of the Universalists nationally with the American Unitarian Association in 1961 creating the Unitarian Universalist Association, voted to change the name of the church to the Congregational Unitarian Church. At the time members felt that the public better recognized and understood the name Unitarian than Universalist

Both originally liberal Christian denominations, the Universalists believed that a loving God saved all souls—universal salvation—and the Unitarians believed in the unity of God—no Trinity—and an approach to faith based on reason. Modern Unitarian Universalism is a creedless religion that honors not only its Judeo-Christian heritage, but draws from world religious and philosophic traditions to assist members in “building their own religion.”

Those traditions are reflected in striking windows installed in the church as part of the centennial of the current landmark church building in 2006.

Since the congregation ended its official affiliation with the United Church of Christ (the Congregationalists) in 2000 and became an exclusively Unitarian Universalist congregation, there has been talk of changing the name to reflect the new reality.

“We really are happy to reclaim our lost Universalist identity,” Rev. Larsen said. “We say that ‘love is the doctrine of this church’ and Universalism calls us to put love into action.” By changing from Church to Congregation, “the new name also reflects that we are a religious community, and not just a brick and mortar building while honoring our roots as Congregationalists.”

Over the next few weeks and months the new name will be reflected in signage, on the website, and in public awareness. The congregation will celebrate the new name with special dedication worship services and other events and programs this fall.

“As the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Woodstock, we will continue our tradition of service to the community, which includes hosting PADS and the Woodstock Community Ministry’s Direct Assistance Program and outreach to the Latino community, and the advocacy for peace, justiceand a sustainable world--including Diversity Day--which has been our hallmark,” Rev. Larsen said. “And we hope to grow spiritually as a religious community living out the Seven Principles of Unitarian Universalism.”