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This from a friend, pastor Jonita (Jay) Johnson:

Good Morning my Friends and Relatives,

I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas where the remebrance of our Lord Jesus was celebrated and reverenced, and family fun was had by all.

Today is the first day of KWANZAA. Kwanzaa, what’s that? Some have said, “Why?, What’s so important about this thing? I believe in Jesus, I don’t serve no idols. Aren’t we all the same anyway?” This is my small attempt to welcome each of you into part of my world, my reality as a Black woman here in Bellingham, WA.

My explanation is put forth in a very simple manner. I would hope that each of you would Google Kwanzaa, and learn more for yourself. It is a beautiful celebration of life. First Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday. In 1966 it was created as a time for Black Americans to recognize the African culture, and take pride and celebrate our culture today. We see it in days like St. Patrick’s Day, or other celebrations that are common to different ethnic groups. But the principles of Kwanzaa are valuable to all of human culture. Kwanzaa celebrates IN-GATHERING of family, community; REVERENCE of our history, our elders; COMMEMORATION of our past, and the actions of those who have struggled to get us to today; RE-COMMITMENT of love, service, faith, and CELEBRATION of spiritual freedom, family, friends, community, life.

The colors of Kwanzaa are: GREEN – HOPE, LAND of Africa; BLACK – COLOR of the African race of people; RED – BLOOD shed by ancestors.

Food also plays a big part of Kwanzaa Celebration. New Year’s Day brings it all to the kitchen with a bright, aromatic delicious array of traditional foods. Each having a significant meaning for the coming year. Maybe we can all get together.

This week I will introduce each of you to the principles of Kwanzaa.

UMOJA = UNITY

KUJICHAGULIA = SELF-DETERMINATION

UJIMA = COLLECTIVE WORK & RESPOSIBILITY

UJAMMA = COOPERATIVE ECONOMICS

NIA = PURPOSE

KUUMBA = CREATIVITY

IMANI = FAITH

So today I welcome you into UMOJA, Unity.

As we go about today, ask yourself:

What does UNITY mean to me?

How can I purposefully incorporate the spirit unity into my business activities this week?

Are there unity lessons I can bring into my family?

Blessings to you all. Jay

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