Rev. William Sinkford The national leader of the Unitarian Universalist denomination, the Rev. William G. Sinkford, will speak at dedication ceremonies for the Conejo Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship's new sanctuary and multipurpose building at 4 p.m. Sun., Sept. 7 at 3327 Old Conejo Road in Newbury Park.

Seating will be limited, and guests are advised to arrive early. The proceedings will be televised on a live video feed to an overflow audience in the social hall.

The fellowship moved into the two buildings in July after spending most of its 46-year history in rented spaces.

Sinkford, president of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations based in Boston, has used his national pulpit to work for social justice and defend oppressed peoples.

He is a critic of the war in Iraq, a champion of marriage rights for same-sex couples, an advocate for the people of Darfur, a supporter of the New Sanctuary Movement in protecting illegal immigrants from deportation that would break up families, and a defender of religious pluralism and church/state separation.