Kwanzaa was established in 1966 by Maulana Karenga who felt that African Americans needed a time of cultural reaffirmation.  He came up with a celebration that is a compilation of several harvest festivals and celebrations held throughout Africa.  Kwanzaa is a time of fasting, feasting, and self-examination, usually observed for seven days at the end of December.  It was not designed as a replacement for Christmas, Chanukah, or New Year’s but offers a time for reflection and self-affirmation in contrast with the rampant commercialization that has overtaken some of the other holidays.  Kwanzaa is guided by these seven principles:  unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.

Please join the Social Justice Committee on Friday, Dec. 30, at 6:00 PM in Fellowship Hall for a potluck feast and a program to consider these principles and how they relate to our lives as UUs.  There is a sign-up sheet on the rolling cart to indicate what dish you will bring.  Rev. Crystal Bujol is chairperson for this year’s Kwanzaa event.  If you are interested in participating, please contact her: xtalankh@aol.com with the word “Kwanzaa” in the subject line or at 772-778-5118.