The Unitarian Society of Germantown (USG) and Mt. Airy Unitarian Universalists (formerly Church of the Restoration) are joining forces this Sunday, Dec. 31, to celebrate Kwanzaa, the African American cultural festival. The special collaborative service will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the USG building located at 6511 Lincoln Dr.

The service will showcase Karen Smith and the musical group “Sistahs Laying Down Hands,” who will fill the meeting hall with the vibrant sounds of African and Caribbean percussion. There will also be interactive storytelling focusing on leaders who have embodied the principles of Kwanzaa, opportunities for the congregation to join in traditional dances, and a colorful lighting ritual for the kinara’s candles. Readings exploring the history and symbolism of Kwanzaa will connect the participants to the deeper meaning of the holiday.

Kwanzaa is an annual celebration held from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1 that honors African heritage and values. The holiday was established in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, who created the seven principles, known as Nguzo Saba, on which Kwanzaa is based – unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. Families and communities come together during Kwanzaa to reflect on and celebrate these principles.

The centerpiece of any Kwanzaa celebration is the kinara, a seven-branched candleholder that holds one black, three red, and three green candles representing the seven principles. Each day during Kwanzaa, participants light the candles and discuss the principle associated with that day. Other common traditions include displaying African art and crafts, wearing traditional African attire, telling stories about African or African American leaders, and enjoying food and music from across the African diaspora.

For this special joint service, USG and UUMtAiry have planned a lively celebration featuring drums, singing, dancing, candle-lighting, and more, with the goal of honoring the richness of African and African American culture.

Following the service, all are invited to participate in a potluck lunch featuring cuisines from across the African diaspora. Dishes like jollof rice from West Africa, jerk chicken from the Caribbean, injera flatbreads from East Africa, and hoppin’ john stew with black-eyed peas from the American South will allow attendees to sample the wonderful diversity of African-inspired flavors. The potluck contributions will be provided by USG and UUMtAiry members, allowing for meaningful cross-congregation connections.

In the spirit of Kwanzaa’s principle of collective work and responsibility, volunteers from both congregations have stepped up to coordinate the meals, set up the space, and assist with clean-up duty. Unitarian Universalist communities emphasize service to others and this intergenerational team effort models that ethic beautifully.

While this Kwanzaa celebration has special meaning for the local African American community, all are enthusiastically invited to attend the service and potluck lunch to honor African roots, share food and fellowship, and reinforce the common bonds of humanity. This inclusive and educational event promises to be a vibrant expression of what a diverse, compassionate, and just community can look like when people come together in the spirit of unity and hope.