Detroit Reflections During these Somber Times

Mother/India and Child/Riley at Easter Dinner

India and Riley


Some of the family and friends assembled for Easter dinner at my brother and sister in law's home, the Rev. Michael and Sandra Vaughn


Earlier in the evening most of the family and friends were gathered in the basement watching the game. However, the concluding hours before heading to our various destinations were spent talking about and dissecting the horrendous situation facing the citizens of Detroit.

Today, indeed was a sad day in the history of Detroit. The Mayor, Kwame Kilpatrick and his former Chief of Staff, Christine Beatty were charged with twelve counts of felony including conspiracy to obstrut justice and purjury.The mood is very somber in Detroit as people contemplate what all this means in the face of the following realities: Detroit has the highest unemployment rates in the nation and the third highest foreclosures. The city is in crisis and the current mayor and his posse' appear unable to step up to the task at hand. The times call for those with integrity and vision to step forward, unite and to lead the city out of the economic, physical, emotional and spiritual deterioration that has characterized this city for too long.
Blessed Be! Rev. Dr. Qiyamah A. Rahman

Beauty in Nature

I am so starved for spring and for gardens and plants. So it was such a treat to visit Burlingame, CA recently where so many flowers were in bloom in the neighborhood surrounding the Mercy Retreat Center. The colors and the variety of flowers were amazing. Coming from Chicago where practically everything is struck dead until the spring time it was a joyful time.

Unfortunatly, spring can't come too soon for me. So it was such a delight to walk through the neighborhood and take these pictures and remember springtime.
Blessed Be! Rev. Dr. Qiyamah A. Rahman

Unitarian Universalist Ministers, Seminarians and Religious Educators of Color Gather

Approximately thirty Unitarian Universalist seminarians, ministers and for the first time,religious educators of color gathered in Burlingame, CA at the Mercy Retreat Center on March 5-8, 2008 to provide peer learning and support, and spiritual, emotional and mental networking. We gathered from all around the country comprised of African Americans, Native Americans, Latina/Latino, Asian/Pacific Islanders and Middle Eastern Unitarian Universalists of color. At present, there appears to be approximately 47 fellowshipped ministers of color and 50 ministers of color in candidate status in our movement and denomination that currently represents a total of 1,700 ministers.

This years retreat was spent in wonderful worship experiences singing and being present with one another tapping various spiritual disciplines.

The following pictures capture some of the highpoints of the Retreat.
Blessed Be - Rev. Dr. Qiyamah A. Rahman