Loyola Retreat Center,  2710 S. Country Club Road, Woodstock, IL 60098.
Website: https://www.luc.edu/retreatcampus/ 

(Start/end times may be slightly different from what is listed here- more info to come).

This multiplatform retreat will include chapter business, collegial connections, and time for renewal. 
Some portions will also be accessible via zoom and will not require payment, including the business meeting and the odyssey.

Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout will lead worship and workshops with us. All UUMA members are welcome to attend!

Register now at this link: https://forms.gle/Q1CkLfRJW2Rj8yVN9
 

WORKSHOP SUMMARIES

Workshop 1: Singing by Heart: Reclaiming the Power of Music in a Post-Pandemic, Hymnal-Free World
We explore the ways the pandemic has reshaped communal singing, guiding us toward a hymn-free, heart-led music culture in our congregations. We’ll explore the power of song to create trust and unity, to deepen our bonds.

We’ll also confront the myth that you need to be a musician to talk music. The data is clear: congregations with vibrant music programs see higher attendance and deeper emotional connection. Music isn’t just an add-on; it’s a force that can transform worship. Well-equipped ministers, then, have the tools they need to share artistic ideas artfully, and contribute to the ongoing growth of their people’s musical expression.

As a special offering, I’ll share my personal practice of improvisational singing and extended chant intonation—a deeply intimate way I connect with the sacred, usually kept private. You’ll be invited into this space, where music becomes prayer, and where we can explore together how this practice can enrich our leadership and deepen our spiritual lives.

Workshop 2: Improvisation in Worship: Unlocking the Power of Presence
We’ll explore the dynamic potential of improvisation in worship, starting with foundational principles like presence, spontaneity, and the power of "yes, and." Through theater-based improv games, we'll break down barriers and cultivate a mindset of adaptability. We’ll then apply these skills to sermon delivery, storytelling, and creating more inclusive worship experiences that move beyond traditional, sermon-centric formats.

Participants will engage in group exercises that simulate real worship scenarios, helping to practice quick thinking and deep listening. We’ll also explore how to integrate improvisation into worship planning and leadership, making services more authentic and responsive to the needs of our communities. This workshop is about embracing fluidity and creativity in worship, leading to more engaging and inclusive experiences for all.

ABOUT GLEN THOMAS RIDEOUT

Glen Thomas Rideout serves as the Director of Worship Arts Ministries at First Universalist Church of Minneapolis, where his leadership is defined by a deep commitment to integrating music, art, and spiritual practice in ways that resonate with contemporary Unitarian Universalist values. With nearly 20 years of experience in the UU tradition, Glen’s work is grounded in a belief in the transformative power of music and worship to build community, foster justice, and deepen spiritual connection.

In addition to his role at First Universalist, Glen is a faculty member at Meadville Lombard Theological School, where he teaches worship design. His approach to teaching emphasizes the importance of collaboration, creativity, and the integration of diverse cultural practices into worship. Glen is known for his ability to bridge the intellectual and the embodied, creating worship experiences that are both deeply reflective and richly expressive.

Glen’s work at First Universalist includes oversight of the arts and worship programs, and fostering a collaborative culture of ministers and members to create services that are spiritually nourishing and socially relevant. His leadership is informed by a rich Black academic and artistic heritage, and he is passionate about creating worship experiences that are inclusive, transformative, and deeply connected to the lived experiences of the congregation.

We stand at a crossroads where our adaptability and our willingness to embrace bold, embodied worship will determine our relevance in the world. If we seize this moment, we can become more than just a spiritual community—we can become a powerful movement for love and justice. But to do this, we must be willing to step into new ways of being, to challenge the comfort of the familiar, and to embrace the transformative power of joy and laughter along the way.

Let’s use this retreat to not only deepen our knowledge but to open ourselves to new possibilities, to break free from old patterns, and to commit ourselves to worship that truly matters—to our people, to our world, and to the work of love and justice that calls us forward. Together, we can create a future where our worship is not only meaningful but also profoundly impactful, lighting the way for a more just and loving world.

In faith, in peace, Glen Thomas Rideout, D.Mus.A.

(there are many videos of Dr. Rideout on YouTube if you are not familiar with his work. Here is one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GURBo8jk_n8