This community dialogue will take place on Sunday, April 28 at 1 p.m., in person at church

As we approach our community dialogue concerning the use of Shoshana Jedwab’s song “Where You Go I Will Go,” it is essential that each of us comes prepared to share and listen thoughtfully. This dialogue is not only about a piece of music but about how we, as a Unitarian Universalist community, align our rituals and worshiping traditions with our deepest values—especially in contexts of conflict and peace.

Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, our Director of Worship Arts Ministries, has curated a selection of resources to enrich our understanding and enhance our discussion. These materials will provide essential background on the issues at hand, including perspectives on peace and conflict resolution from our UU principles, insights into the role of music in our spiritual and communal life, and reflections on the broader implications of our choices.

We encourage each of you to review these resources before we meet. You will find them linked immediately below this message.

• Reflections and insights from Glen Thomas Rideout on the integration of music, worship, and social justice.
• An overview of the Gaza conflict, to better understand the context mentioned by the composer.
• Statements from Shoshana Jedwab herself, discussing her intentions and feelings about the use of her song.

These readings and videos are designed to prepare us for a meaningful and informed conversation. By engaging with these materials, we can ensure that our dialogue is not only informed but also empathetic, respecting the diversity of experiences and views within our community.

We look forward to a vibrant and thoughtful exchange as we explore together how our choices reflect who we are and aspire to be as a community committed to justice, peace, and love.

This community dialogue will take place on Sunday, April 28 at 1 p.m., in person at church.

Resources

Message from Shoshana Jedwab 

Read an article detailing Shoshana Jedwab’s comments and views regarding the current conflict and her song ‘Where You Go I Will Go’. This personal insight can help inform our conversation and understanding of the song’s impact. 

Read More: Shoshana Jedwab – Where You Go I Will Go 

Reflections with Glen Thomas Rideout 

Dive into a profile of Glen Thomas Rideout, our Director of Worship Arts Ministries, featured in UU World. In this article, Glen Thomas discusses his approach to integrating music, worship, and social justice, shedding light on how these elements enhance our spiritual practice and community engagement. 

Read More: Glen Thomas Rideout: Music, Worship, and Justice in UU Practices

UUA Resources on Peace and Conflict Resolution 

The UUA offers specific resources and position statements regarding peace and conflict resolution, which can provide valuable insights into how UUs might view and respond to the Gaza conflict. 

Read More: UUA on Peace and Conflict

The Gaza Conflict: An Overview 

For a comprehensive and balanced background on the Gaza conflict, BBC News offers an updated overview that helps contextualize the current discussion around the song ‘Where You Go I Will Go.’

Read More: Gaza Conflict – BBC News

The Role of Music in UU Worship 

Music plays a crucial role in our spiritual expression and community bonding. This article from UU World magazine delves into the spiritual power of music within Unitarian Universalism and its impact on our congregational life. 

Read More: The Spiritual Power of Music in Unitarian Universalism

Understanding Unitarian Universalist Principles in Context 

Explore how our Unitarian Universalist principles guide our responses to conflicts and promote peace and justice. These principles are foundational in understanding our approach to complex social issues. 

Read More: UUA Social Justice Principles

Why We Cannot Turn Away: Resources for UUs Engaging Palestine & Israel

Explore comprehensive resources from Side With Love that provide context and guidance for engaging with the complex issues surrounding Palestine and Israel. This collection is crucial for understanding broader international concerns that relate to our dialogue.

Read More: Why We Cannot Turn Away: Resources for UUs Engaging Palestine & Israel  

Read the Special Message from Board President Jeff Snyder and Rev. Jen Crow here. Plan to attend the special Budget Meeting this Sunday, April 21, in person or on Zoom, at 1 p.m.

Zoom details here.

Read the latest issue of our weekly newsletter here.

Read the latest issue of our weekly newsletter here.

View the April 2 Programs e-mail blast here.

Read the latest issue of our weekly newsletter, here.

Read the latest issue of our weekly newsletter here.

Read the latest issue of our weekly newsletter here.

Read the latest issue of our weekly newsletter here.

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.