UUFSMA: “Diwali: Let There Be Light!”

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Online Service

“Diwali: Let There Be Light!”

Speaker: Reverend Abhi Janamanchi

Sunday, November 29, 2020
10:30 am

Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/414604040 

Password: 294513

By Joseph Plummer
UUF Secretary

In this Sunday’s online service of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of San Miguel de Allende, the Reverend Abhi Janamanchi celebrates Diwali (or, in Sanskrit, Deepavali, meaning “rows of lamps”), one of the most popular festivals of Hinduism. Known for the lighting of brilliant and colorful lamps in Hindu homes, businesses, temples, and streets, Diwali likewise illuminates this time of year for Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists around the world. And, for many Hindus, the five-day festival marks the beginning of a New Year.

This service is also the first of six UUFSMA Sunday services continuing into January that will celebrate The Seasons of Light, the spiritual holidays of religions around the world as nature’s longest nights turn toward the light of lengthening days during Advent, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and the Epiphany.

Truly welcomed at the end of this year of worldwide pandemic, Diwali symbolizes the victory of good over evil, life over death, and wisdom over ignorance, as it celebrates awareness of and awakening to the Inner Light and marks a new beginning in all aspects of life, especially relationships with family and friends. The festive occasion is a time for community, family, and the celebration of togetherness, sharing resources, good food, and heartfelt gifts.

The Rev. Abhi Janamanchi serves as Senior Minister of Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church in Bethesda, MD. Born and raised in southern India, he moved to the US in 1994.  He is a third-generation member of the Brahmo Samaj, a Unitarian Hindu reform movement with ties to Unitarian Universalism.

He graduated from Meadville Lombard Theological School, Chicago in 1998. Before being called to Cedar Lane, he served congregations in Clearwater, Florida; Madison, Wisconsin; and Park Forest, Illinois. He has been active in international interfaith and multicultural work for over two decades, including service as President of the International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF). His Unitarian Universalist-Hindu faith, his Indian heritage, and his American citizenship inspire and guide him in life and ministry.

To participate in our online Sunday Service, visit the Fellowship’s website at www.uufsma.org and click on the Zoom Service button displayed on the home page. If requested, enter password: 294513. Sign-in between 10:15-10:25 am.

Through grants and awards, UUFSMA donates at least fifty percent of its budget to support nonprofit organizations that provide health, educational, and environmental services for 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.

Due to the coronavirus, UUFSMA has suspended in-person Sunday services and other gatherings. Previous online services can be found on the UUFSMA’s YouTube channel. Go to https://www.youtube.com/ and enter UUFSMA in the search box. The UU Fellowship welcomes people of all ages, races, religions, sexual orientation, and gender identity.