Spring 2009
Children of the Same God: Unitarianism in Kinship with Judaism and Islam
Unitarianism in Kinship with Judaism and Islam
Rev. Dr. Susan Ritchie
Date: June 27, 2009
Location: UUA General Assembly, Salt Lake City; Co-sponsored by the Starr King School for the Ministry, Berkeley
Unitarian identity in Europe emerged as a defense of the inherent kinship between Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. This lecture examines the early theology of this relationship, and then summarizes the actual, creative encounters it engendered with Jewish and Muslim communities. The invigorating possibilities of re-engaging this multi-religious vision from within contemporary North American Unitarian Universalism are explored.
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.