COUNTRYSIDE WELCOMES NEW MINISTER
Palatine, ILLINOIS - "This church is uniquely geographically positioned to be of service in a changing cultural landscape," says Hilary Landau Krivchenia, Countryside Unitarian Universalist Church's new settled minister. Rev. Krivchenia is passionate about encouraging and embracing cultural and ethnic diversity, and intends to find ways to celebrate our common truths and unique views throughout the Palatine and northwest suburban community. She also intends to put to work some of her energy and unusual, varied background in the interfaith community of greater Chicago, with emphasis on the Middle East and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
With a calm and composed demeanor, Rev. Hilary looks 10 years younger than her age, and speaks extemporaneously in beautiful, quotable phrases. Married, with a daughter, 14, and two stepchildren in college, she was, for 8 years, the minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Lafayette, Indiana, after having received her Masters of Divinity at Meadville/Lombard Theological School in Chicago. Born in Morristown, New Jersey, she lived in many places during her growing-up years, including Rochester, New York and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
In 1977, Reverend Krivchenia earned her B.A. in Philosophy from Beloit College in Wisconsin, worked on the 1979 March on Washington for the Extension of the Equal Rights Amendment, and the first National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. She also spent a year in VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) monitoring community development block grant funds. In 1984 she was certified as a massage therapist and studied related holistic health techniques.
"I want to build on the talent and vision that is clearly present in this congregation in order to strengthen and lift up this remarkable religious community and to serve the larger community,” declares Rev. Krivchenia. "I believe people are hungry for more meaning in their lives, and I want us, together, to cook more spiritual nourishment. I want our liberal religious voices raised so more people with critical minds and seeking hearts can find us. I want us to be more visible in the community for those who are tired of superficialities and dogma."
Her varied life experience includes two summer retreats with Buddhist Monk Thick Nhat Hanh, travel to Israel and Palestine as part of Joint Interfaith Peace-Builders and the American Friends Service Committee, writing a Passover Haggadah for Unitarian Universalists, and teaching Adult Faith Development classes on subjects ranging from scripture study and prayer to training for Pastoral Care Associates.
Her first official sermon will be on Sunday, September 6th, with services starting at 10:30 am. Countryside Unitarian Universalist Church is located at 1025 North Smith Road in Palatine, and can be reached at 847-359-8440 or through its website www.ccuu.org.
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Our New Minister | Welcome to Countryside Church | The Knoxville Tragedy
Regarding The Knoxville Tragedy
A Message from Vid Axel, Co-Chair, Membership Committee, Countryside Church Unitarian Universalist
Tragically, a fatal shooting took place Sunday, July 27 at one of our UU congregations, Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church. This New York Times article elaborates.
I'm guessing that in relation to this tragedy, many in that church and community have been experiencing shock, overwhelm, deep pain and far more than mere words could ever fully articulate.
I'm betting that many in the Countryside Church Unitarian Universalist community have experienced a similar cascade of emotions.
I'm sure that I speak for many at our church when I say that our hearts, well-wishes and support reach out to the TVUUC community.
In our church newsletter, as part of a longer statement, our newly hired, settled minister, Rev. Hilary Landau-Krivchenia, expressed the following.
This is a time to be compassionately mindful of the TVUUC members. It is possible that learning of this event will raise grief and anxiety for many people. This is a time to be compassionate with ourselves and one another as we respond from individual histories of pain and loss. This is a tragedy that will have an impact on that congregation and the other churches in the area - as well as our association...
This is a time to remind ourselves and the children of our congregations that Unitarian Universalists gather in religious community in hope and in the intention of helping to create a society where compassion and respect can lead.
Rev. William G. Sinkford, President of the Unitarian Universalist Association said in a press release: “I know that many people, both in Knoxville and around the country, are struggling with shock and grief right now. I pray that those so affected will find strength and comfort... Unitarian Universalists around the world are sending love and prayers to the Tennessee Valley congregation to tell them they are not alone on this dark day.”
May each of us find peace in the wake of this violence. May each person remember that there is comfort, healing, and safety within our congregational community - we can turn to one another and it will bring more strength and safety. May all our congregations have a positive and powerful influence in the world such that acts of mindless violence become more and more unthinkable.
Peace and healing to you all,
Rev. Hilary Landau-Krivchenia
Additional reflections may be found in our local church newsletter, and at the Unitarian Universalist Association website, as in Rev. William G. Sinkford's Remarks from Service of Healing Following Knoxville, Tennessee, Tragedy and Unitarian Universalists Respond to Knoxville Shooting Disaster.
Wishing Everyone Healing And Support,
Vid Axel
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