Unitarians in Northeast India celebrated the upcoming 138th Birth Anniversary of our faith, which was founded by U Babu Hajom Kissor Singh, a true son of the soil, on the 18th of September 1887.
The events included a thorough house cleaning, welcoming our congregation home for prayers and blessings. On several Sundays preceding the big day, church services are led by Sunday school children and women, followed by a memorial service on the first Sunday of September. Then the young people celebrate, and finally the Unitarian Union celebrates all over the districts of Khasi, Jaintia and Karbi Anglong, at their Unitarian Churches. We also have our annual exams for Sunday School children and many other events. The anniversary day is celebrated with praise and worship, sermons and music. We welcome all our relatives, friends and guests from other faith groups. On the 18th all Congregations have a big feast, torchlight procession, praise and worship sessions, followed in many congregations by variety shows and entertainment. It is altogether a much awaited celebration of joy, renewal and gratitude.
Our theme for this year is “The Anniversary - A Spiritual Awakening.” In the Nongthymmai Congregation, in the advance anniversary celebration organized by the women, I gave a sermon on “Forgiveness - To Forgive and to be Forgiven,” supporting it with a true story about a father who meets his children’s killer. The sermon must have touched many since I received very positive feedback, including from our minister. We also had a wonderful women’s choir.
I wished all Unitarians a blessed anniversary month. This is a time for us to reflect, retrospect and renew our faith by living it every day.