Epiphany Ucc

Chicago Theological Seminary is located just south of the Midway Plaisance in Hyde Park. Many of you probably know that this stretch of green space, stretching more than a mile from Jackson Park and Lake Michigan on the east to Washington Park on the west, was created as part of the World’s Fair, the Colombian Exposition, held in 1893 and attracting some 27 million visitors. One of the most amazing events that was convened as part of the Exposition was the first World’s Parliament of Religions. This was the first formal gathering of Eastern and Western spiritual and religious leaders and we recognize it as the beginning of interfaith dialogue. Hindus, Buddhists, Bahais, Jains, Jews, Protestants, Catholics, Unitarians, and adherents of the Shinto and Zoroastrian traditions gathered for the first time ever in one place. This history continues to amaze me. I can’t imagine the logistics ... in 1893 ... of creating, organizing, and implementing an event so large and so far-reaching. I admit to a lack of imaginat