News: May 1, 2026
Dear Members and Friends:
This Sunday we continue our exploration of what it means to be a dissenting religious community with a service devoted to the poetry of Sufi mystic, Jalâl al-Din Muḥammad Rumi. We turn to Rumi as a reminder that the dissenting nature of Unitarian Universalism has long been rooted in our theological pluralism and religious hybridity. We draw from many sources and have historically sat at the intersection of three of the world’s major religions: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.
The rest of the month will reflect our commitment to pluralism. For Mother’s Day, we will again be joined by guest musician Ralph Garza and worshipping in Spanish (9:30 a.m.) and English (11:30 a.m.). The following Sunday, we will be begin a two-month exploration of the influence of Hinduism on Unitarian Universalism. Then, drawing from Black humanism and other sources, on May 24th, guest preacher Dr. Mtangulizi Sanyika and Nina Kuzniak will lead the 11:30 a.m. service. It will be designed to last a full 90 minutes. Those seeking a shorter service experience are encouraged to attend a special hymn sing and meditation that Nina will be leading at 9:30 a.m. May 31st will see Rev. Scott offering his penultimate sermon as our Associate Minister.
It will be a rich month. I will be in Oxford for the last part of it. I leave immediately after the service on the 17th to catch a flight to England and return to the office on June 4th. While I am there, I will be celebrating the publication of my book, The Political Theologies of Populism: The Garveyites, the Klan, and the Wobblies, 1905-1930 with a book launch at Harris Manchester College and a faculty seminar. When I get back to Houston we will have celebration at First Unitarian Universalist for our congregation. A public Houston area launch is being planned at Rothko Chapel for July. In the meantime, if you’d like a copy of the book you can order one here: https://wsupress.wayne.edu/9780814351567/
I started the book as my dissertation more than a decade ago. I am excited to see it come to fruition and grateful for all of the support First Unitarian Universalist has given me while writing it.
Before I close, I would be remiss not to invite you to tonight’s Pasta and Protest event. Nina and I are cooking up some delicious food. I am excited about Dr. Winkinson Battiste’s music workshop. I hope to see you there! And while you’re at it, why not bring a friend?
love,
Colin
This Sunday we continue our exploration of what it means to be a dissenting religious community with a service devoted to the poetry of Sufi mystic, Jalâl al-Din Muḥammad Rumi. We turn to Rumi as a reminder that the dissenting nature of Unitarian Universalism has long been rooted in our theological pluralism and religious hybridity. We draw from many sources and have historically sat at the intersection of three of the world’s major religions: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.
The rest of the month will reflect our commitment to pluralism. For Mother’s Day, we will again be joined by guest musician Ralph Garza and worshipping in Spanish (9:30 a.m.) and English (11:30 a.m.). The following Sunday, we will be begin a two-month exploration of the influence of Hinduism on Unitarian Universalism. Then, drawing from Black humanism and other sources, on May 24th, guest preacher Dr. Mtangulizi Sanyika and Nina Kuzniak will lead the 11:30 a.m. service. It will be designed to last a full 90 minutes. Those seeking a shorter service experience are encouraged to attend a special hymn sing and meditation that Nina will be leading at 9:30 a.m. May 31st will see Rev. Scott offering his penultimate sermon as our Associate Minister.
It will be a rich month. I will be in Oxford for the last part of it. I leave immediately after the service on the 17th to catch a flight to England and return to the office on June 4th. While I am there, I will be celebrating the publication of my book, The Political Theologies of Populism: The Garveyites, the Klan, and the Wobblies, 1905-1930 with a book launch at Harris Manchester College and a faculty seminar. When I get back to Houston we will have celebration at First Unitarian Universalist for our congregation. A public Houston area launch is being planned at Rothko Chapel for July. In the meantime, if you’d like a copy of the book you can order one here: https://wsupress.wayne.edu/9780814351567/
I started the book as my dissertation more than a decade ago. I am excited to see it come to fruition and grateful for all of the support First Unitarian Universalist has given me while writing it.
Before I close, I would be remiss not to invite you to tonight’s Pasta and Protest event. Nina and I are cooking up some delicious food. I am excited about Dr. Winkinson Battiste’s music workshop. I hope to see you there! And while you’re at it, why not bring a friend?
love,
Colin
