UUA President Visits Unitarians in India
by Rev. Olivia Holmes

(Boston, MA - February 11, 2002) UUA President William G. Sinkford, elected to office in June, 2001, is currently making his first visit to India to meet with Unitarians in the Khasi Hills. Sinkford travelled to the northeast corner of India to bring greetings to the 10,000 "tribal" Unitarians who live there and assure them of the continued support and friendship of the UUA and of UUs in North America.

The Unitarian churches of the Khasi and Jaintia Hills are located in the northeast Indian state of Meghalaya. The church, officially called the Unitarian Union of North East India (UUNEI) was founded by Babu Hajom Kissor Singh in 1887. Singh was born a member of the Khasi tribe, an indigenous people holding traditional faith in the oneness of God. He founded the Unitarian Church at Jowai in the Jaintia Hills on September 18, 1887. Today that church boasts several hundred members and active youth and women's programming.

The Rev. Sinkford and UUNEI (Unitarian Union of North East India) General Secretary Carleywell Lingdoh co-presided at the Smit church consecration services.

At a spirited welcoming service at the Jowai Church, Bah (brother) Rupia Lamar spoke to Sinkford of their common heritage: "In your country you have been a member of an oppressed, brown-skinned minority. So, too, with us, the Khasi and Jaintia people, under the domination of the British Raj. We are grateful for all your efforts to right the wrongs of prejudice in your country. In our country 'Sahib' is a title of respect you earn by having white skin, or by virtue of having attained high office. It is my great privilege to welcome you, Sahib William G. Sinkford, to our church, and into our lives. May you wear your new title with great honor."

Located next to the Jowai church are the headquarters office of the Khasi Unitarians and the Unitarian guest house. On the other side of the church, the Hajom Kissor Singh Memorial High School boasts an enrollment of 550 youth who receive a full high school education regardless of their ability to pay tuition. It has modern latrines, a 10-workstation computer center, and a brand new library, all donated by North American UUs.

.The Rev. William Sinkford, who was accompanied on his trip to India by his daughter, Danielle (dressed as a Jaintia lady), is shown here with traditional turban and garland.

Sinkford was accompanied to the Khasi Hills by his daughter, Danielle; the Rev. Olivia Holmes (Director, International Relations for the UUA); and the Rev. Frank Schulman. The UUA delegation was joined by Rev. John Clifford and Rev. Richard Boeke representing the British General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches. From the

Jowai church the group drove some 80 km to the village of Dienling, where some 2000 - 3000 church members had gathered for the 102nd Annual Conference of the UUNEI, a two-day event with five daily worship services.

At the afternoon service on February 9th, President Sinkford was honored with the presentation of the Jabez T. Sunderland Award for his commitment to our faith and our anti-oppression work in the United States.

Participants in and Arts of Preaching seminar held for Church Visitors (lay ministers) and ordained clergy, are pictured with seminar leaders the Rev. Kenneth Sawyer (center, back row), the Rev. Polly Guild (second from left, middle row) and the Rev. Jane Rzepka (second from right, bottom row). The seminar was held at Madan Laban Church, Shillong, India, from Feb. 3-7, 2002.	UU Holdeen India Fund Executive Director Kathy Shreedhar (left), Holdeen partner Martin Macwan (second from left), and the Rev. William G. Sinkford are pictured at a meeting in Ahmedabad, India, discussing the work of Macwan's Navsarjan Trust, which helps 'untouchables' achieve dignified lives.

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