1. What attracted you to our church community? What are you looking for in a church?

While at Beth’s “New-Member Brunch”, I connected so warmly with a few members of UUCT. Based on that, I was eager to join and enjoy the community of UUCT!

And then, what joys and blessings, as I discovered the essence of UUs -- no dogma, very welcoming of all, no bias, no prejudice -- instead, that rare feeling of being welcomed as a contributing member of such a community.

2. What gift do you bring to our community life?

I’m eager to share my insights and experience of diverse cultures across the Arabic-speaking world -- especially Palestine, Jordan, Egypt, and Kuwait. As a blind Palestinian and a Professor of Linguistics, here at the UofA -- I also have much to share about overcoming significant challenges and achieving life goals.

3. What is one hope that you have for our congregation?

I’d love to share my cosmopolitan outlook and curiosity -- through conversations about religions and cultures of the world.

Please include the spelling of your name the way you would like it posted on the bulletin board.

Please spell my name as:

• Samira