Choir returns to First Universalist!
Dear Ones,
Our choral program is ready to bloom anew! I am thrilled to announce a rebirth of our chorus powered by our people’s voices, under the guidance of Paolo Debuque, our new founding conductor. You have seen Paolo’s face with increasing frequency these past months as our pianist on select Sunday mornings, and I’m excited that we can bring him on in this expanded and incredibly important capacity.
Paolo and I are deeply aligned in the purpose of this musical ensemble as a shared expression of this congregation’s communal spirit and shared commitments: not a replacement but an amplification of our collective singing, and a testament to our unity and commitment to justice.
If you would like to be a part of this ensemble, please signal your interest through this Google form and mark your calendars for the kickoff on Thursday, March 21 from 7-9pm.
Dr. Glen -Thomas Rideout
Director of Worship Arts Ministries
About Paolo
Paolo Debuque is a Filipino/Chinese-American conductor and choral artist noted for his innovative programming and commitment to grassroots, community-centered art. Trained in conducting, voice, and piano, his engagements have included Head of Performing Arts at the International School of Minnesota (PS-12), Founding Artistic Director of A Thousand Tongues, an arts organization dedicated to uplifting the voices of the Asian diaspora through music and stories, and Artistic Director of Caritas Vocal Ensemble, a premier amateur vocal ensemble of the Twin Cities area.
Paolo studied music at Swarthmore College and earned the Masters in Choral Conducting at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, studying with Dr. Jerry Blackstone. Further conducting study includes fellowships and apprenticeships with Interlochen Center for the Arts , Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, Wintergreen Music Festival, Berkshire Choral International, and Chorus America.
A Fresh Start for Our Choir
Dear Church Family,
As the gentle leap into March springs new life all around us, our beloved choir is poised for a rejuvenation of its own. With great joy, I announce a new chapter that aligns beautifully with our worship theme for March, Expressing Humility—a reflection on the intricate dance between our personal journeys and the broader tapestry of our community’s needs.
Welcoming Paolo Debuque: A Maestro of Unity
In this spirit of communal reflection and growth, we warmly welcome Paolo Debuque as our new choir conductor. Paolo embodies the essence of humility and collaboration, bringing with him not only a wealth of musical expertise but also a heart deeply committed to the principle that every voice matters.
Paolo’s rich musical journey—rooted in his Filipino/Chinese-American heritage and nurtured through his studies and mentorship at the University of Michigan—teaches us the beauty of diversity and the strength of unity. His approach to music transcends mere performance, inviting us to see each note and harmony as a celebration of our shared humanity.
Harmonizing with Humility
Under Paolo’s guidance, our choir will explore the theme of Expressing Humility through a repertoire that mirrors our collective introspection on how our individual talents and needs contribute to the well-being of our community. His leadership in various musical endeavors, including his significant work with A Thousand Tongues, has prepared him to foster an environment where collaboration and team spirit are not just encouraged but are the foundation of our choir’s identity.
An Invitation to Join Our Melody
As we embark on this journey together, your participation becomes a poignant expression of humility—acknowledging the power of our collective voice to uplift, heal, and inspire. We invite each of you to lend your voice to this venture, echoing our March theme’s call for a deeper connection with one another through the act of making music together.
Choir Rehearsals Begin
We will start this transformative chapter with Paolo in the first week of March, weaving our individual voices into a harmonious expression of our community’s spirit. To express your interest in joining our choir and to be part of our journey of Expressing Humility through music, please fill out this Google Form. Save the date for our inaugural session on Thursday, March 21, from 7-9 pm, where we’ll begin our collaborative exploration of humility and community through song.
Together in Song and Spirit
The arrival of Paolo Debuque marks more than a new chapter for our choir; it represents an opportunity for us all to explore the depths of our individual and collective spirits through music. As we welcome Paolo with open hearts, let us also open our minds to the lessons of humility and the strength of our community, united in harmony and purpose.
In Peace and Harmony,
Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout
Director of Worship Arts Ministries
The Weekly Liberal, February 29, 2024
The Weekly Liberal, February 22, 2024
The Weekly Liberal, February 15, 2024
2024-2025 Pledge Card
Fill out your pledge online
Please fill out this form if you wish to submit your 2024-2025 First Universalist Giving Pledge online in lieu of submitting a paper pledge.
Visit this page for information and details about Annual Giving at First U. If you have questions about this form or how to submit your annual gift, please contact our Bookkeeper, Jie Wronski-Riley at jie@firstuniv.org.
Mid-Year Congregational Meeting Summary & Moving Forward
The Weekly Liberal, January 25, 2024
All in: Winter – Spring 2024 Gatherings & Programs at Church
There are so many ways to connect more deeply here and know that “We Belong Together,” as our worship theme for the year reminds us! Below you’ll find a myriad of entry points for all ages.
COMMUNITY DINNERS
Wednesday, Feb. 7, Family Pre-Party 5-6 p.m.; Dinner 6-7:30 p.m. in the Social Hall RSVP Requested by Feb. 5
Swing by church for a delicious home-cooked meal (red beans and rice) at 6 p.m. in the Social Hall. All are welcome and there is no charge. Menu available on our website, a week in advance. We always offer vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, nut free and kid-friendly options. All church events are alcohol-free. Our February dinner will include a celebration of all who serve as church volunteers, helping with events, boards, committees, classes, congregational care, faithful action, groups, gatherings, hospitality, facilities, childcare, admin, and worship. Thank you!
Wednesday, March 6, (no family pre-party) Dinner 6-7 p.m. in the Social Hall; Breakout Groups 7-8:15 p.m. RSVP Requested by March 4
Swing by church for a delicious home-cooked meal at 6 p.m. in the Social Hall. All are welcome and there is no charge. Menu available on our website, a week in advance. We always offer vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, nut free and kid-friendly options. All church events are alcohol-free. Following dinner, stick around and join a breakout group for deeper engagement at church.
Wednesday, April 17, Family Pre-Party 5-6 p.m.; Dinner 6-7 p.m. in the Social Hall; Breakout Groups 7-8:15 p.m. RSVP Requested by April 15
Swing by church for a delicious home-cooked meal at 6 p.m. in the Social Hall. All are welcome and there is no charge. Menu available on our website, a week in advance. We always offer vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, nut free and kid-friendly options. All church events are alcohol-free. Following dinner, stick around and join a breakout group for deeper engagement at church.
Wednesday, May 8, (no family pre-party) Dinner 6-6:45 p.m. in the Social Hall; Coming of Age Ceremony 7 p.m. RSVP Requested by May 6
Swing by church for a delicious home-cooked meal at 6 p.m. in the Social Hall. All are welcome and there is no charge. Menu available on our website, a week in advance. We always offer vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, nut free and kid-friendly options. All church events are alcohol-free. Following dinner, please join our 9th grade Coming of Age youth, mentors, and Advisors in the Sanctuary to bear witness to the credos our youth have created over the course of this year. These credos or “faith statements” reflect the spiritual journeys and arrivals of our youth at this moment in time. This will be our traditional Coming of Age Ceremony, to be followed by an in-worship recognition of our Coming of Age graduates on Sunday, May 12.
VISITORS/NEWCOMERS/NEW-ISH
- A Place to Start (visitor class to get to know us a bit and introduce yourself)
- Newcomers Circle (dig deeper, reflect on your spiritual journey alongside others who are also new)
- Membership Classes (commitment to relevant, sustainable membership in this community throughout the lifespan)
FAITHFUL ACTION
Visit our Faithful Action page for details and registration for:
- Habitat for Humanity Build Days
- Cancelled: Sacred Choices for All of Us Reproductive Justice Story Sharing
- Gatherings with Minnesota Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Association (MUUSJA)
- Gatherings with the First U Climate and Environmental Justice Team.
PASTORAL & COMMUNITY CARE
Visit our Pastoral and Community Care page for details and registration for:
- Grief Group
- Caregivers Group
- Estrangement from Adult Children
ARTS & SPIRITUAL PRACTICE GROUPS
Visit our Spiritual Practice Groups page for details and registration for:
- A Year to Live
- Art Making
- Circle Suppers
- Cultivating Joy
- Centering Prayer
- #Joyspotting
- Knitting
- Meditation
- Mindfulness during Times of Grief and Loss
- Quilting
- Sacred Sweeping: Exploring Spirituality in Cleaning Together
- Writing Your Spiritual Journey
- You Might Be a Transcendentalist If…
CHILDREN, YOUTH, and FAMILIES
Visit our Youth and Families page for details and registration for:
- Sunday morning Religious Education (runs through May 19, 2024)
- Saturday Sprouts (Nourishment for kids and parents)
- Intergenerational Partner Dance Class
- 2nd-5th Grade Families Overnight
YOUNG ADULTS (20s and 30s)
Visit our Young Adults page for details and registration for:
- Young Adults Join a Habitat Build Day
- First Sundays Lunch at Gigi’s Cafe
SMALL GROUPS, BOOK GROUPS, AND CLASSES FOR ADULTS
Visit our Adult Ministries page for details and registration for:
- Coming of Age for Adults
- How to Talk to People podcast conversation series
- Combating Fascism: Within, Among, Beyond
- Adult Neurodivergent Peer Support
- UU Wellspring: Crises of Life
- Theology and Dismantling White Supremacy – Postponed
- Me, Myself, and OWL: A Class for the Unattached
- Ministry for the Future book group
- Kate Tucker Sermons Circles
SENIORS & ELDERS
Visit our Seniors & Elders page for details and registration for:
- A Year to Live book group
- Intergenerational Partner Dance Class
- Sage-ing Wisdom Circle
- Daytime Connections
Highlighted Events
May
18
Talent Show & Trivia Night
5:00 p.m.
- 8:00 p.m.
May
19
A Place to Start
After the service
Front of sanctuary
Jun
02
Registration Open for Annual Meeting of the Membership
12:30 p.m.