Spring 2009
Children of the Same God: Unitarianism in Kinship with Judaism and Islam
European Unitarianism in Creative Cultural Exchange with Ottoman Islam
Rev. Dr. Susan Ritchie
Date: April 22, 2009
Location: First Church Boston
We begin with how Unitarianism’s commitment to and articulation of religious tolerance arose from actual exchanges between sixteenth-century Transylvanians and Ottoman Muslims. From there, we explore the intentional efforts of European Unitarians to reach out to Muslim communities throughout the centuries.
The Rev. Dr. Susan Ritchie has served as the minister of the North Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Lewis Center, Ohio, since September 1996. During that time, the congregation has more than doubled in size, purchased not only its first building but a religious education center, and added three professional staff positions.
Rev. Ritchie holds a Ph.D in cultural studies from the Ohio State University, and a divinity degree from the Methodist Theological School in Ohio. Ritchie is published widely on the topic of Unitarian Universalist history and identity, and also religious cultural studies. She has held many district and UUA positions, most recently as chair of the Midwest Regional Subcommittee on Candidacy. Ritchie is proud to have grown up as a third generation Unitarian. She lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her partner Donna and English Springer Valentino.