Diverse Revolutionary Unitarian Universalist Multicultural Ministries

Diverse Revolutionary Unitarian Universalist Multicultural Ministries Diverse Revolutionary Unitarian Universalist Multicultural Ministries (DRUUMM) is collective for Unitarian Universalists/-adjacent people of color.

We work to create community and bring into existence a liberative Unitarian Universalism. DRUUMM is a collective of people who identify as People of Color. Allies are welcome and organized as Allies for Racial Equity. Together we are open to all people. We are grounded in the Unitarian Universalist tradition, and maintain a close relationship with the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congrega

tions.DRUUMM is a volunteer-led organization, with a Steering Committee elected by DRUUMM members at the annual meeting. Terms are 3 years, staggered. Each Steering Committee member has a working portfolio. The Steering Committee meetings monthly via teleconference, at the Annual Conference and General Assembly, and as needed.

Risk Discernment in Justice Movements: A Panel for BIPOC CommunitiesHow do we continue showing up for justice while also...
06/15/2026

Risk Discernment in Justice Movements: A Panel for BIPOC Communities

How do we continue showing up for justice while also protecting ourselves, our families, our ministries, and our communities?

Across the country, many BIPOC organizers, activists, religious professionals, and community leaders are navigating increasing uncertainty. New policies, heightened surveillance, public targeting, digital harassment, threats to immigrant communities, attacks on civil rights, and growing pressure on movement leaders require us to think carefully about risk, resilience, and collective care.

Join DRUUMM and Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism (BLUU) for an important conversation during General Assembly week, rooted in our lived experiences as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.

This conversation is intended for BIPOC participants seeking practical wisdom, community connection, and thoughtful reflection during a rapidly changing social and political landscape.

Wednesday, June 17
6:00–8:00 PM ET / 3:00–5:00 PM PT

Register here: bit.ly/DiscernRisk

For decades, Rev. John T. Crestwell, Jr. has helped people find their voice, deepen their faith, heal old wounds, and st...
06/11/2026

For decades, Rev. John T. Crestwell, Jr. has helped people find their voice, deepen their faith, heal old wounds, and step more fully into community. A minister, singer, teacher, author, mentor, and organizer, John's ministry has transformed congregations and lives. At the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis and previously at Davies Memorial UU Congregation, he helped cultivate vibrant, diverse, anti-racist communities rooted in belonging and possibility.

Across Unitarian Universalism, John is known for his preaching, music, leadership development, and mentorship. He has taught generations of ministers and leaders, served as adjunct faculty at Meadville Lombard, and offered compassionate leadership during moments of both celebration and crisis, including helping guide community healing after the Capital Gazette tragedy.

John's journey with DRUUMM stretches back more than twenty years through hosting Youth and Young Adults of Color gatherings. More recently, he has served on our Chaplain Team, offering spiritual care, wisdom, and accompaniment to countless members of our community.

We are honored to recognize Rev. John T. Crestwell, Jr. as a recipient of the 2026 Mel Hoover Award for Beloved Community.

Join us as we celebrate Rev. John and fellow award recipient Rev. Abhi Janamanchi during the DRUUMM Annual Meeting & Mel Hoover Award Ceremony:
📅 Thursday, June 11, 2026
🕢 7:30–9:00 PM Eastern
💻 Virtual via Zoom

RSVP at druumm.org/events

Read the full announcement at druumm.org/news

Some people leave a mark on a community. Rev. Abhi Janamanchi has helped shape an entire generation of beloved community...
06/11/2026

Some people leave a mark on a community. Rev. Abhi Janamanchi has helped shape an entire generation of beloved community.

Raised in the Brahmo Samaj tradition in India and ordained as a Unitarian Universalist minister in 1998, Abhi has spent more than three decades building bridges across faiths, cultures, and communities. From congregational ministry in Wisconsin, Florida, and now as Senior Minister of Cedar Lane UU Congregation, to leadership with the International Association for Religious Freedom, Religions for Peace, Hindus for Human Rights, and global Unitarian communities, his ministry has consistently woven together spirituality, justice, compassion, and courageous dialogue.

For DRUUMM, Abhi has been there since the beginning. He was among the leaders who gathered to help create our organization, hosted one of our earliest Youth and Young Adults of Color conferences, and has offered wisdom, mentorship, and encouragement to our community for more than two decades.

We are honored to celebrate Rev. Abhi Janamanchi as a recipient of the 2026 Mel Hoover Award for Beloved Community.

Join us as we celebrate Abhi and fellow award recipient Rev. John T. Crestwell, Jr. during the DRUUMM Annual Meeting & Mel Hoover Award Ceremony:
📅 Thursday, June 11, 2026
🕢 7:30–9:00 PM Eastern
💻 Virtual via Zoom

RSVP at druumm.org/events

Read the full announcement at druumm.org/news

DRUUMM is honored to announce the recipients of the 2026 Melvin A. Hoover Award for Beloved Community: Rev. Abhi Janaman...
06/09/2026

DRUUMM is honored to announce the recipients of the 2026 Melvin A. Hoover Award for Beloved Community: Rev. Abhi Janamanchi and Rev. John T. Crestwell, Jr.

Together, they represent more than 40 years of engagement with DRUUMM, helping to build beloved community through ministry, mentorship, racial justice, spiritual leadership, and service to generations of Unitarian Universalists. Read the full announcement at https://druumm.org/news/2026-awards/

Join us as we celebrate these remarkable leaders during the DRUUMM Annual Meeting on Thursday, June 11, 2026, from 7:30–9:00 PM Eastern, with award presentations by Rev. Danielle Di Bona and Rev. Mel Hoover.

RSVP: druumm.org/events

DRUUMM members: join us for our 2026 Annual Meeting on Thursday, June 11, from 7:30–9:00 PM Eastern.Come hear President ...
06/08/2026

DRUUMM members: join us for our 2026 Annual Meeting on Thursday, June 11, from 7:30–9:00 PM Eastern.

Come hear President Tomi Fatunde's annual report, learn more about the operations and future of our community ministry, connect with fellow members from across the continent, and help us celebrate two extraordinary leaders receiving the 2026 Mel Hoover Award for Beloved Community.

This is a members-only gathering. Not sure about your membership status? Contact [email protected] or call 617-221-859.

RSVP at druumm.org/events

Tonight, we gather again.We are deeply grateful for the vision, courage, artistry, and spiritual leadership of the preac...
05/14/2026

Tonight, we gather again.

We are deeply grateful for the vision, courage, artistry, and spiritual leadership of the preachers who have shaped DRUUMM Public Worship over these past years — helping create sacred space for our communities across distance, grief, resistance, joy, and becoming.

This evening, we welcome Rev. Summer Albayati as Guest Preacher for our 2026 Public Worship:

We Ride at Dawn: Showing Up, No Matter What
🗓 Thursday, May 14 🕗 8:00 PM Eastern
🌎 Open to all
📍 RSVP: druumm.org/events for Zoom link
📈 Over 300 already registered

There is still time to join us — and to be part of the long legacy of support, care, organizing, worship, and multiracial spiritual community that sustains DRUUMM. If you can't join us, consider a gift at druumm.org/donate

Reconnect with the powerful voices who have guided DRUUMM Public Worship in recent years:

2021 — Becoming Human, Again and Again
Rev. Mitra Rahnema

2022 — You Can Count On This
Rev. Tyler Coles

2023 — Shine On, Beautiful and Resilient People
Rev. Katie Romano Griffin

2024 — Choosing Joy
Rev. Ali K.C. Bell

2025 — There Will Always Be Dancing
Rev. Joan Javier-Duval

You can view full worship services and sermons at youtube.com/

Each year, we bring together hundreds of people, churches and partners for DRUUMM's Public Worship. This service, open t...
05/12/2026

Each year, we bring together hundreds of people, churches and partners for DRUUMM's Public Worship. This service, open to all, is one of our special gatherings to share the wisdom and labor of Black, Indigenous and People of Color in Unitarian Universalism.

We want to give a special shoutout to sponsors who have said yes to showing visible support for our ministry. We hope to see you Thursday!

1st Unitarian Universalist Church of Berks County
All Souls Indy
All Souls Unitarian Universalist Congregation of New London
Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Community Church of Chapel Hill, Unitarian Universalist
Davies Unitarian Universalist Congregation
East Shore Unitarian Church
First Parish in Cambridge, Unitarian Universalist
First Parish UU Canton, a Neponset River UU Community in MA
First Unitarian Church of Dallas, TX
First Unitarian Church of Des Moines
First Unitarian Church of Rochester
First Unitarian Portland
First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin
First Unitarian Universalist Church of Wichita
First Unitarian Universalist Church San Antonio
First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor
First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington
First Universalist Church of Minneapolis
Horizon UU Church
JUUstice Washington
LREDA
Meadville Lombard Theological School
Miami Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Minnesota Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Alliance (MUUSJA)
Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church
North Parish of North Andover Unitarian Universalist
Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Sanctuary Boston
Side With Love
Starr King Unitarian Universalist Church
Starr King Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church
Texas Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry (TXUUJM)
The First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco
Third Unitarian Church
Unitarian Church of Evanston
Unitarian Church of Montpelier
Unitarian Universalist Association
Unitarian Universalist Church in Eugene
Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, VA
Unitarian Universalist Church of Canandaigua
Unitarian Universalist Church of Davis
Unitarian Universalist Church of Long Beach
Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashua
Unitarian Universalist Church of the Desert
Unitarian Universalist Church of the Monterey Peninsula
Unitarian Universalist Church West
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Durango
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Gainesville
Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the Middle East
Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice
UU Church of Columbia, MO
UU Church of Tucson
UU Church Rockford
UU Fellowship of Winston Salem
UU Mass Action
UU Ministers Association
UU Ministry for Earth
UUA Thrive Program for BIPOC Youth and Young Adults
UUs of Mt. Airy
UUSC (Unitarian Universalist Service Committee)
Wildflower Unitarian Universalist Church

Before the sun rises, there is a moment when the world holds its breath.We ride at dawn,not because it is easy,but becau...
05/12/2026

Before the sun rises, there is a moment when the world holds its breath.

We ride at dawn,
not because it is easy,
but because something in us remembers—
how to show up,
how to stay,
how to carry one another forward.

This year, our DRUUMM Public Worship emerges from that threshold space—
held with care and vision by our SWANA-Arab Caucus,
whose leadership calls us toward courage shaped by memory,
by diaspora,
by the enduring rhythms of culture, resistance, and faith.

In this difficult political moment, we gather for prophetic worship, music, poetry, resistance, and collective care — remembering that even now, especially now, we are not alone.

Join DRUUMM Public Worship:
🌅 *We Ride at Dawn: Showing Up, No Matter What*
🗓️ May 14
🕗 8pm Eastern
Free & open to all.
druumm.org/events

More than 200 people have already RSVP’d. Read more: druumm.org/news/showing-up-no-matter-what

DRUUMM is thrilled to welcome back Rev. Verdis L. Robinson 🪘✨ as Music Director for our upcoming Public Worship.A choral...
05/08/2026

DRUUMM is thrilled to welcome back Rev. Verdis L. Robinson 🪘✨ as Music Director for our upcoming Public Worship.

A choral leader and parish minister serving congregations in Connecticut and across New England in recent years, Verdis brings a ministry grounded in spirit, care, joy, storytelling, and beloved community. Through worship, music, and pastoral leadership, he helps create spaces where people can breathe more deeply into themselves and each other.

Many in DRUUMM have come to know Verdis through his recent leadership on our Steering Committee and his steady guidance helping lead our General Assembly programs — bringing warmth, excellence, flexibility, and deep care for BIPOC spiritual community during important moments of gathering and connection.

Verdis’s ministry bridges generations and traditions through music, worship leadership, accompaniment, and a commitment to collective liberation. We are especially grateful for the grounded and generous spirit he brings to DRUUMM and to Unitarian Universalism more broadly.

🌅 “We Ride at Dawn: Showing Up, No Matter What”
✨ Guest Preacher: Rev. Summer Albayati
🥁 Music Director: Rev. Verdis L. Robinson
📅 May 14, 2026
💻 Virtual / Open to All
🎟 RSVP free at druumm.org/events

Address

Winter Garden, FL

Telephone

+16172218589

Website

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