We are delighted that Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout will be joining First Universalist as our new Director of Worship Arts on August 1, 2021. Glen Thomas comes to us from the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he has served in a variety of leadership roles since 2007, including most recently as Director of Worship and Music. Known for his deeply collaborative creation of worship services for congregations and national gatherings, Glen Thomas teaches worship design at Meadville Lombard Theological School and is the author of the curriculum, De-Centering Whiteness in Worship, with Julica Hermann de la Fuente and Rev. Erika Hewitt. A denominational leader, you may remember Glen Thomas from his appearances in our worship services during the pandemic, when he created and shared stunning works of musical beauty to sustain us during our times of all online worship.

Glen Thomas holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Conducting from the University of Michigan, and prior to the pandemic, traveled internationally to support the choir of his youth in its ensemble tours. Glen Thomas will serve on our Leadership Team and will lead our Worship Team. We look forward to welcoming him to Minneapolis and to our community at First Universalist. Glen Thomas’ first time in worship with us in his new role will be at the Lake Harriet Bandshell Service on August 15 at 10 a.m. Together, we are taking the turn into greater embodiment and even more musical and creative expression in worship.