Naming the Now:
Crisis, Clarity, and Care
A weekend of connection, witness, and spiritual renewal for BIPOC UUs and their friends and families.
We are living through a time of profound change. Systems are unraveling, truth itself is under attack, and the weight of these shifts are undeniable. And still, we gather.
This statewide retreat is an intentional space for BIPOC UUs to name and bear witness - to what is unfolding in our lives, to reflect with clarity and care, and to strengthen the relationships that sustain both our resistance and our renewal.
We will start our weekend on Friday 8/1 by sharing in a cultural dinner experience, at Prubechu restaurant in the Mission District of San Francisco, for story gathering to honor how our ancestors faced collapse, found strength in community, and created beauty in the face of destruction. This portion of retreat is In Person only.
Our full retreat day on Saturday 8/2 at First UU Society of San Francisco will be offered In Person with all programming inside of the sanctuary also available on Zoom. Our day together will include interactive workshops that help us face the rising tide of authoritarianism, reclaim spiritual practices that ground us, and sharpen our tools for organizing, mutual care, and courageous action. We will also be enjoying a short 5-minute walk/ride for lunch at the 51st Annual Nihonmachi Street Fair. For those interested, we would love to continue the connection with a post retreat hangout in Chinatown by taking time for sightseeing and dinner.
On Sunday 8/3, we will gather for a special DRUUMM CA Worship Service, led by Rev. Kevin Mann and hosted by UU Fellowship of Redwood City. All are welcome to join In Person or via the church's Zoom. Following the service, we’ll close out the weekend with a DRUUMM community picnic - a time to relax, connect, and celebrate all we’ve shared.
Homestay availability and travel scholarship follow up info will be sent to all registrants by email. See the full event schedule here.
Who should attend:
- DRUUMM members
- BIPOC Unitarian Universalists seeking community, connection, and spiritual renewal
- Allies and family members of all identities who support DRUUMM’s mission — you are warmly invited to join the open community activities of the retreat weekend
- California congregations looking to connect and deepen their commitment to racial justice in Unitarian Universalist faith spaces
Registration fees:
- DRUUMM members (retreat program) - Free
- BIPOC Friend or BIPOC Family of DRUUMM (retreat program) - $15 suggested donation
- Ally or family member of BIPOC (open events only, as indicated on the schedule) - $15 suggested donation
- Children - Free with accompanying adult
Food & Out-of-Pocket Costs
Please note that meals not explicitly listed as covered may involve out-of-pocket expenses at your discretion. We aim to make this retreat accessible and adequately nourishing, with opportunities to share meals in community while allowing flexibility and choice.
To support ease and nourishment throughout the weekend, DRUUMM California will be providing:
- Friday: Appetizers at our cultural dinner at Prubechu. Diners are welcome to purchase additional food and drinks on their own.
- Saturday: Brunch and a generous spread of grazing snacks available through the late afternoon. Attendees may also choose to purchase lunch at the 51st Annual Nihonmachi Street Fair. Dinner in Chinatown will be self-funded, based on your interest and budget.
- Sunday: Our closing community picnic will be fully funded by DRUUMM California.
Scholarships
We know that money is a powerful energy deeply entangled with systems of capitalism, access, and oppression. We also know that naming our needs and asking for help should come without shame or judgment. If this retreat calls to you, please don’t let money be a barrier. We’ve created options to support your participation:
For travel assistance, please complete our Travel Scholarship Form.
To request a registration scholarship, register without submitting payment. Then, forward your invoice to Rev. Kevin Mann at revkev@druumm.org with a short note letting us know what amount of support you’re requesting. We’ll send you an adjusted invoice for any remaining balance - no explanation or justification needed.
Not a DRUUMM Member?
Non-DRUUMM members are welcome to attend by paying the registration fee.
Or, you’re warmly invited to become a DRUUMM member, which includes free access to this retreat and future DRUUMM California seasonal retreats, along with opportunities for community connection, leadership development, spiritual support, and engagement in BIPOC-specific programs and justice work within the larger Unitarian Universalist community. Annual dues for DRUUMM membership begin at $15.
Join DRUUMM Now
ABOUT YOUR HOSTS:
This retreat is being offered in collaboration with DRUUMM California, First UU Society of San Francisco, and the UU Fellowship of Redwood City.
The vision of DRUUMM California is to uplift, amplify, and center BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) Unitarian Universalists, through cultivating a network of regional retreats within the three main geographic areas of the state: the Bay Area, Central Valley, and Southern California. We dismantle white supremacy culture by centering the stories, lived experiences, and spiritual traditions of BIPOC UUs.
We look forward to being in community with you!
Questions? Contact Rev. Kevin Mann at revkev@druumm.org
