UUMN members in the DC area recently carried out our mission to "support and motivate one another in joyous and loving community." On March 29, almost 300 singers from sixteen UU churches gathered at All Souls Unitarian for a day of singing and community building.

MUUSICA, the DC area music directors group, commissioned a new choral piece from renowned composer Jim Papoulis, who joined them for the event. The day culminated with a special worship service of music and readings; the mass choir presented six anthems and led hymn singing. A free will offering was collected to benefit Jim Papoulis’ Foundation for Small Voices. The organizers were thrilled to raise over $3,000 for that worthwhile organization.

The sixteen participating directors (including 15 current UUMN members) were Tom Benjamin, David Chapman, Maureen Curtin, Bob Griffith, Clif Hardin, Annease Hastings, Jennifer Hayman, Nichole Hodges-Abbasi, Michael Holmes, Deborah IntVeldt, Jennifer Rodgers, Gerri Rollins, Henry Sgrecci, Mark Vogel, Bailey Whiteman, and Mark Zimmerman.