“Thank you to all who came out to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation on Sunday to welcome the Wawieh and Kanjou families. They felt the warmth of your embrace and support and are excited about the many new connections made. Thank you to all who have offered to tutor them in English and those working with them now. If anyone is in need of a talented custom furniture maker and carpenter, Mr. Kanjou is your man. Until the next gathering… wrote Dr. Tayyarah

OUR WELCOMING LUNCH held on JUSTICE SUNDAY (March 6, 2016) was quite a success.  The patio was packed.   Pam Sparr from UU Service Committee delivered a dramatic sermon about the Syrian refugee crisis entitled The Knock at the Door”.   Jeanine and Halah read poems full of emotion. There were only a few dry eyes in the room.  Over lunch, many special guests and several visiting students shared their anticipated volunteer support for upcoming justice work.

Thanks to everyone who brought food to share. Many people arrived early and stayed late to set up, serve, and clean up. Special thanks to our tireless Kitchen Crew: Kathy, Danita, Jesus, Marissa, Tim, and Jason. Thanks to Worship Committee for providing the families fruit gift baskets and to Eleanor for the now much-loved stuffed animals. They were a hit!

So many thanks to Dr. Aswad, who brokered the negotiations with three Syrian refugee families, making them comfortable to attend a different place of worship. Their smaller children became restless until they found our playground where true international play happened. Another WELCOMING event is probably now essential when the third family can join us too.

Mr. Tarifi wrote: “Good morning Anne, I just want to thank you for the lovely luncheon on Sunday, we all enjoyed it specially Tom’s kebab. Please let your congregation know how much the Syrian families appreciate the Love and support they received. I look forward to host your congregation at the Islamic center (Claremont) in the month of Ramadan, so we may share more beautiful time together.”

This WELCOMING LUNCH was the beginning of a wonderful community friendship. Salaam.