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 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