News: August 29th, 2025

As we step into a new church season, our recent Water Communion and Ingathering celebrations have reminded us of a profound truth: we are an interconnected and interdependent community, centered in love. From our home at First Unitarian Universalist Church of Houston, the spirit of our work flows outward—touching UU communities across the country and around the world.

This summer has been a season of vibrant outreach and deep connection. While Rev. Colin spent time in England sharing his research on Unitarian Universalist history and theology, I had the privilege of engaging in national and international UU events through music ministry. In May, I led music for the annual intergenerational virtual worship service for DRUUMM (Diverse & Revolutionary Unitarian Universalist Multicultural Ministries). In June, I was honored to serve as a featured soloist at the UUA’s General Assembly, sharing a taste of what we experience every week at First UU Houston with an international audience.

In August, I joined the Association of Unitarian Universalist Music Ministries (AUUMM) for their annual conference, where I offered a workshop on the Science of Singing. This session was designed to help music leaders build stronger voices and choirs through an understanding of healthy singing from an anatomical perspective. When we know how the body sings, we can sing with more ease, expression, and confidence.

What continues to amaze me is how the artistic work we cultivate here at First Universalist Unitarian Church of Houston reaches far beyond our sanctuary walls. Whether it's through participation in General Assembly, AUUMM conferences, or visiting a sister congregation, our church’s legacy of transformational music ministry is recognized and celebrated nationwide. Time and again, when I attend national UU gatherings, I’m asked about beloved former music leaders—Dean Dalton, Jason Oby, and Mark Vogel—whose leadership has left a lasting imprint on the wider UU movement. It’s a testament to the rich and enduring music tradition we share.

I am deeply honored to have served this congregation for the past four years. As I continue in this role through the end of December, I look forward to further inspiring our congregation, families, and wider community through music and the arts—spreading Unitarian Universalist values, centered in love and grounded in the inherent worth and dignity of all.

The choir is excited to be back from a long summer break, sharing the gift of song to uplift this community. Looking ahead, the Arts Team will soon share a full calendar of arts events and activities for the year. We’re also excited to continue the Arts Forum series on the third Sunday of each month, from 10:45–11:15 a.m. Soon the String Band and Instrumental Ensemble will add to the eclectic offerings of this artistic community.  We will look forward to FotoFest and opportunities to explore other arts disciplines.  If you have any ideas, please don’t hesitate to reach out. 

Thank you for being part of this vibrant and creative community. Your engagement with the arts helps make First UU Houston a truly inspiring place to worship, grow, and serve.