Upcoming events

    • 18 Mar 2025
    • 06 May 2025
    • 4 sessions
    • Zoom
    • 7
    Register

    Aiming for Allyship is a 12-hour multiracial intersectional antiracism training occurring on four Tuesdays from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM Pacific / 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM Eastern.

    Session 1: March 18
    BREAK/ Pod: March 25
    Session 2: April 1
    BREAK/ Pod: April 8
    Session 3: April 15
    BREAK/ Pod: April 22
    Session 4: May 6 (new date)

    Continuing Education certification is available upon request to Rev. Joseph Santos-Lyons, DRUUMM Community Minister at revjoseph@druumm.org.

    This virtual program will be facilitated by Justice Movement and sponsored by DRUUMM. The training is open to all and includes opportunities for caucusing in racial groups. Scholarships are available and reserved for DRUUMM members; please request by February 21 (note new date).

    About the Training

    This twelve-hour, four-session course is designed to deepen relationships, understanding, support, and commitment to living into our UU values.

    UU calls on us to center love and fight for social justice and equity. You’ve heard the term ally, and you want to be there for people. You don’t want to unconsciously contribute to sexism, ableism, racism, and other forms of systemic oppression in your life and community. But what to do? What to say? We’re here to help.

    Acting as an ally can feel and be complicated. We specialize in breaking down challenging topics and complex concepts into manageable and illuminating pieces. We prioritize intimacy and make learning to act as an ally deeply personal. Our goal is to build the confidence in our participants to address difficult topics with empathy and understanding.

    To do so we will unpack how we have been socialized to behave, privilege, and why it not only enforces unhealthy power dynamics but also limits you personally. We will also investigate the ways we are guided by UU principles and how to turn them into action, plan and practice how to respond when you are called in or out, and how to do that for others. Learn in community about cancel culture, tone policing, radical love, and so much more. This course will be an opportunity to do some inner work, grow as a person, ask hard questions, and be a force for change in your congregation and beyond. Join Justice Movement founders Natalie and Danya and guest trainer Atena as they guide you through a deep dive into allyship and accountability.

    Each session is structured to challenge, inspire, and empower participants, culminating in a roadmap for active allyship that respects and enhances the dignity of all individuals. Don't miss this chance to build your intersectional antiracism skills and continue your journey toward being an effective ally!

    Important note to White allies: We are prioritizing BIPOC attendance and may ask White registrants to yield space in this popular training.

    • 26 Mar 2025
    • 26 Nov 2025
    • 8 sessions
    • Zoom upon registration
    Register

    The Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Caucus of DRUUMM hosts a virtual Coffee Hour for community and discussion monthly (except June and December). Beginning in March 2025, the Coffee Hour will be held on the 4th Wednesday from 5 to 6:30 PM Pacific/8 to 9:30 PM Eastern.

    We have a different Theme or Topic each month. Perhaps you would like to propose and/or present one?

    In February we had a small group conversation really getting to how we share and show our love of others and ourselves. The focus on love really framed our warm heartfelt conversation.

    Our March Coffee Hour theme is Spring Awakening. We will touch on many of the topics we think of in March including honoring women's history, transgender action for healthcare equality, deaf history and gender equality. We'll also consider gardening - tending to both our exterior gardens and our interior selves. To prepare for an activity together, please bring seed/s and a pot to plant the seed/s in.

    Hosted by the AANHPI Steering Committee.

    If you have any question, please send an email to Evelie Delfino Såles at evelie511@gmail.com.

    2025 Schedule
    January 15
    February 19
    March 26
    April 23
    May 28
    July 23
    August 27
    September 24
    October 22
    November 26

    • 08 Apr 2025
    • 09 Dec 2025
    • 9 sessions
    • Online
    Register

    The Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) caucus of DRUUMM gathers to build community and for discussion monthly on the 2nd Tuesday from 5 to 6 PM Pacific/8 to 9 PM Eastern.

    Please honor that this gathering is for only those who identify as Southwest Asian and North African.

    2025 Schedule

    January 14
    February 11
    March 11
    April 8
    May 13
    June 10
    July 8
    August 12
    September 9
    October 14
    November 11
    December 9

    • 28 Apr 2025
    • 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM
    • Online
    Register


    Unitarian Universalism is a living tradition—shaped not by creed, but by covenant, and animated by the voices and values of its people. This June, we elect our next UUA Moderator, who will serve a six-year term guiding our faith through its most important questions of governance, justice, and transformation.

    DRUUMM invites you to a special member-only forum with the UUA Moderator candidates. (To join DRUUMM, visit druumm.org/membership.)

    This is a unique opportunity to listen deeply, ask critical questions, and discern the leadership that will help shape the future of our multiracial, democratic, spiritually-rooted movement.

    The forum features the two campaigns for UUA Moderator:

    • Rev. Kimberly Quinn Johnson & Bill Young (Co-Moderator Candidate Team): Rooted in faith, justice, and community, their team brings decades of experience in ministry, governance, and movement building.
    • Natasha Walker (Moderator Candidate): An innovative and visionary leader, Natasha brings strategic insight, intersectional analysis, and a strong commitment to BIPOC empowerment in UU spaces.

    Important Voting Info:

    General Assembly delegates will begin voting on June 1, 2025. If you're a delegate or considering becoming one, this forum is for you.

    Spread the Word:

    Share this info with your congregation and networks. Let’s show up and shape the future of our faith.

    Questions?

    Reach out to our Ministerial Intern, LJ Williams, at lj@druumm.org.

    • 30 Apr 2025
    • 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
    • Online
    Register

    Join DRUUMM and BLUU for a 90-minute special screening of the documentary Black Godfather of Scuba, centering the work of Dr. Albert José Jones, followed by a Q&A discussion with Paula Cole Jones and Master Diver Jay Haigler!

     Here are some words from our Paula Cole Jones:

    "Time flies. Almost two years ago, I shared that a documentary was being made on my husband, Albert José Jones. The documentary has been in the film festival circuit since June 2022, and it is now available to the public. You are invited to view the film on April 30th from 7:00-8:30pm ET/4:00-5:30pm PT. Jay Haigler of the Underwater Adventure Seekers will join us for the discussion."

    This special screening is for only DRUUMM members and BIPOC friends and will be co-moderated by DRUUMM and BLUU. Don't miss it!

    Speaker Bio

    Jay V. Haigler received his initial open water scuba certification from renowned International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame inductee, Dr. Albert José Jones. He is an Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) scientific diving instructor and a Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) Master Scuba Diver Trainer. Jay is currently the Dive Coordinator for the Underwater Adventure Seekers (UAS) Scuba Diving Club in Washington, DC. Mr. Haigler is also an AAUS board member and chairman of the statistics committee.

    Mr. Haigler is the author of numerous publications, speeches, symposia presentations. He has been a contributing author with NOAA’s signature publication, The Earth Is Blue Magazine. He has published in academic journals such as Advances in Archaeological Practices. Mr. Haigler along with Dr. Albert José Jones have lectured at Harvard University’s Museums of Science & Culture and the History of Diving Museum.


    • 02 May 2025
    • 5:30 PM
    • 04 May 2025
    • 2:00 PM
    • In Person and Online
    Register

    We Are The Ones
    A weekend of connection, joy, and spiritual renewal for BIPOC UUs and their friends and families

    Drawing inspiration from the song “We Are the Ones We’ve Been Waiting For,” by Sweet Honey in the Rock, this retreat is a space for BIPOC Unitarian Universalists to gather, connect, and co-create the faith community we long for, one rooted in radical welcome and the dismantling of racism and all forms of oppression.

    Through worship, storytelling, music, and deep community-building, we will affirm that we are the ones shaping the future of Unitarian Universalism and strengthening the foundation for those who come after us. Some events will center BIPOC experiences, while others will be open to allies and family members who wish to support and celebrate DRUUMM’s mission.

    Whether you attend in person or virtually via Zoom, we welcome you to join us for this fun, transformative weekend filled with celebration, learning, and spiritual grounding. 

    Retreat program timeline (click here for full schedule and location details):

    • Friday evening Kickoff Party
    • Saturday daytime program
    • Sunday worship service followed by lunch

    Who should attend:

    • DRUUMM members
    • BIPOC UUs seeking community and spiritual renewal
    • Allies and family members who support DRUUMM's mission
    • Congregations in Southern California wanting to connect and deepen their commitment to racial justice in faith spaces

    Registration fees:

    • DRUUMM members* (retreat program) - Free
    • BIPOC Friend or BIPOC Family of DRUUMM (retreat program) - $15 suggested donation
    • White Ally or White Family of BIPOC (open events only, please see detailed schedule) - $15 suggested donation
    • Children - Free
    • To request a registration scholarship, register without paying and forward the invoice to Rev. Kevin Mann at revkev@druumm.org with a message stating the scholarship amount you desire; an adjusted invoice for any remaining balance will be sent to you.

    Please bring cash for optional fellowship events in the community (below), or contact Rev. Kevin Mann at revkev@druumm.org for financial assistance.

    • Saturday evening Emma's Revolution concert ($20 suggested donation)
    • Sunday after party ($10 suggested donation)

    We understand money is powerful energy that involves a level of privilege that may be a barrier. Although there are some costs involved in participating in the Spring Retreat, our goal for the weekend is to connect, collaborate, and if necessary, share resources. We want everyone to participate at the level they are able. If costs are a barrier, please let us know.

    If you have the means to share more to help cover costs for others, we welcome and appreciate those blessings!

    Wherever you are in your financial situation, we honor your truth.

    * Annual dues for DRUUMM membership begin at $15.

    Join DRUUMM Now

    ABOUT YOUR HOSTS:

    This retreat is being offered in collaboration with DRUUMM California, UU Church in Anaheim, and the BIPOC Fellowship of Unitarian Universalist Church of Long Beach.

    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


    • 15 May 2025
    • 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM
    • Online
    Register

    Through the destruction and the devastation, something enduring resides within us that cannot be stamped out by bigotry, greed, or exploitation. No matter how much injustice we face and the burdens we carry, there will always be movement. There will always be music. There will always be dancing.

    From this inner well, we sing, pray, resist, rejoice, dream, and rebuild—because our liberation is bound up together, and our spirits are uncontainable. Let us gather to remind one another of our sources of courage, joy, and power.

    Join DRUUMM for our 2025 Public Worship with guest preacher, the Rev. Joan Javier-Duval of Vermont, and Dr. Jolie Rocke, our musical artist based in Texas. Rev. Christina Shu of California is our liturgist. This event is open to all.

    If your congregation or community is interested in becoming a SPONSOR, please complete our Sponsorship Form. Sponsors commit to a pledge or offering in 2025 and will receive a recording of the worship service that may be used at a later date.

    OUR WORSHIP TEAM

    The Rev. Joan Javier-Duval (she/her) has served as Minister of the Unitarian Church of Montpelier, VT since 2015, is a member of DRUUMM, and previously served on the APIC Steering Committee. She finds great fulfillment in the deeply relational nature of both parish ministry and organizing for social change in a small community. Joan will always join a line dance at any party, and she is happy to be skiing on mountains and through forests this winter with her spouse and eleven year-old child.

    Dr. Jolie Rocke is the Director of Music & the Arts at First Unitarian Universalist Church of Houston. With a deep passion for using the arts to uplift and heal, she shares her vocal talents and inspires creativity in many forms. A renowned professional singer across a variety of genres, Jolie also serves as a Lecturer of Music at Prairie View A&M University. She is the founder of HBCU Arts, an initiative dedicated to preserving culture by promoting entrepreneurial growth and amplifying the creative expressions of students, alumni, and faculty from historically Black colleges and universities.

    Rev. Christina Shu is a long-time DRUUMM leader who served on our Chaplain Team. She is a Lead Interfaith Chaplain at Cedars-Sinai who offers compassionate support across diverse faiths, specializing in palliative care, grief, and long-term illness. A board-certified chaplain, she advances spiritual care research and education. She holds a B.A. from Stanford and an M.Div. from Harvard. Her ministerial journey has included work in urban chaplaincy, university spiritual care, and hospital settings across the country.

Past events

10 Apr 2025 Connecting with Braver/Wiser & WorshipWeb
02 Apr 2025 Renewal: Big and Small | Monthly Midweek Vespers
06 Mar 2025 Rev. Danielle Di Bona, Elder Spiritual Odyssey
05 Mar 2025 Centered in Love | Monthly Midweek Vespers
04 Mar 2025 Intro to Allyship: Open to All
02 Mar 2025 Diverse & Revolutionary | Worship Together with Karishma Gottfried
22 Feb 2025 Collective Solidarity for Peace and Justice in Our World - DRUUMM CA Winter Retreat
11 Feb 2025 Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) Caucus Monthly Gathering
05 Feb 2025 A Willing Sacrifice | Monthly Midweek Vespers
26 Jan 2025 Listening Session - "The Gathering" DRUUMM National Conference
14 Jan 2025 Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) Caucus Monthly Gathering
02 Jan 2025 Resilience and Love | Monthly Midweek Vespers
10 Dec 2024 Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) Caucus Monthly Gathering
04 Dec 2024 In Times Such as These | Monthly Midweek Vespers
21 Nov 2024 DRUUMM Open House
16 Nov 2024 NorCal DRUUMM Fall Retreat: Illuminating the Light from Within
14 Nov 2024 Paula Cole Jones, Elder Spiritual Odyssey
06 Nov 2024 Cycles of Destruction and Rebirth | Monthly Midweek Vespers
05 Nov 2024 DRUUMM Election Evening Gathering Space
27 Oct 2024 Worship Together with Rev. Marisol Caballero
19 Oct 2024 Fall Caucus: Free Palestine, Free Humanity
09 Oct 2024 Love and Joy: We Are Worthy | Monthly Mid-Week Vespers
06 Oct 2024 Still Here: UU Vigil for Gaza Oct 6
30 Sep 2024 Aiming for Allyship: 4 Part Series
25 Sep 2024 DRUUMM Open House
20 Sep 2024 Denver BIPOC Gathering
11 Sep 2024 Tending the Web of Creation | Monthly Vespers
11 Sep 2024 Intro to Allyship: Open to All (Sept 11 Session)
09 Sep 2024 Intro to Allyship: Open to All
21 Aug 2024 Steering Committee Installation
17 Aug 2024 Bay Area DRUUMM Strategic Planning Retreat
09 Aug 2024 Minneapolis-St Paul Gathering
30 Jul 2024 DRUUMM Open House
21 Jul 2024 Raising Voices for Palestine: UU Jewish Voices | UU Vigil for Gaza - Part 2
12 Jul 2024 Remembering Elandria on their 45th Birthday
07 Jul 2024 Raising Voices for Palestine: A UU Vigil for Gaza
19 Jun 2024 DRUUMM VILLAGE at GA 2024
09 Jun 2024 For the Buried and the Unearthed: A Unitarian Universalist Vigil for Gaza
08 May 2024 DRUUMM Public Worship
04 May 2024 “Echoes of Belonging: Home, Connection, and Spiritual Sustenance” A Bay Area DRUUMM gathering for BIPOC Unitarian Universalists
20 Apr 2024 Changes To Our UU Principles: DRUUMM Spring Caucus
12 Mar 2024 DRUUMM & UU the Vote present Faith in Action: Lifting BIPOC UU Voices & Mobilizing for Change in 2024
25 Feb 2024 Worship Together with Yvonne DuVal & UCH Choir
21 Feb 2024 Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Coffee Hour
20 Feb 2024 SWANA-Arab & BIPOC Solidarity Caucus
12 Feb 2024 DRUUMM Happy Hour
31 Dec 2023 Ceasefire Teach-In: Voices from the Global South
17 Dec 2023 Stop the Carnage: A Unitarian Universalist Vigil for Gaza
10 Dec 2023 A Unitarian Universalist Vigil for the Survival of Gaza
03 Dec 2023 Refugee In My Own Home: A UU Vigil for Gaza
26 Nov 2023 For Those Who Hope To Survive The Night: A Unitarian Universalist Vigil for Gaza
19 Nov 2023 Staying Human: A Unitarian Universalist Vigil for Gaza
16 Nov 2023 Member Orientation - November Session
12 Nov 2023 Worship Together with Rev. Xolani Kacela
04 Nov 2023 Fall Caucus: Multiracial & Families of Color (virtual)
29 Oct 2023 Worship Together with San Antonio Gente Engaged in Unitarian Universalism (SAGE-UU)
25 Oct 2023 Elder Spiritual Odyssey with Taquiena Boston
02 Oct 2023 Member Orientation
01 Oct 2023 Worship Together with Rev. Verdis LeVar Robinson
22 Sep 2023 New Orleans Gathering with DRUUMM SC
19 Sep 2023 Getting Free Together: A Celebration of Love and Ancestors
17 Sep 2023 Worship Together with Rev. Manish Mishra-Marzetti
23 Aug 2023 Installation Ceremony of the DRUUMMM Steering Committee 2023
22 Aug 2023 We Count What Matters Orientations Aug 22, 28 or 30
24 Jun 2023 DRUUMM Annual Meeting (virtual RSVP)
21 Jun 2023 DRUUMM Village at GA Pittsburgh
23 May 2023 DRUUMM Spring Caucus: UUA Presidential Forum
11 May 2023 DRUUMM Public Worship
26 Apr 2023 New Member Orientation
19 Apr 2023 Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Coffee Hour
19 Apr 2023 Vigil of Remembrance
04 Apr 2023 SF Bay April 4 Gathering
31 Mar 2023 DRUUMM Texas Retreat
26 Mar 2023 Chicago March 26 Gathering
18 Mar 2023 Los Angeles March 18 Gathering
17 Mar 2023 Jubilee Anti-Racism Workshop for People of Color
16 Feb 2023 New Member Orientation
16 Feb 2023 Member Forum w Steering Committee
14 Dec 2022 UU Theology: Class Followup Session
07 Dec 2022 Member Orientation
12 Nov 2022 Atlanta BIPOC Community MeetUp
26 Oct 2022 A 2-part BIPOC Series in Theology by Rev. Xolani Kacela: Thinking Theologically and Beyond Theological Basics
13 Oct 2022 New Member Orientation
01 Oct 2022 DRUUMM Fall Caucus: Spiritual & Religious Journeys
15 Sep 2022 Installation Ceremony of the DRUUMMM Steering Committee 2023
22 Jun 2022 GA 2022: DRUUMM Programs
30 Apr 2022 DRUUMM Cultural Caucusing: The Circle of Continuing Life
16 Apr 2022 DRUUMM Peer Network for April 19, 2022
14 Apr 2022 UU Principles DRUUMM Listening Session
01 Apr 2022 DRUUMM Gathering in San Antonio - April 1-3, 2022
29 Mar 2022 Spiritual Odyssey with Rev. Mel Hoover
15 Mar 2022 DRUUMM Peer Network for March and April
06 Mar 2022 Watch Party: Dr. Leon Spencer Spiritual Odyssey
15 Feb 2022 DRUUMM Peer Network Welcomes Rev. Mel Hoover
30 Jan 2022 DC-Maryland-Virginia Gathering
15 Jan 2022 SF Bay Gathering - "Resilience in Belonging"
05 Jan 2022 Spiritual Odyssey with Leon Spencer
19 Dec 2021 Remembrances for Mathew P. Taylor
18 Dec 2021 African Descent Caucus of DRUUMM
17 Nov 2021 Diversity of Tactics and Care: Community Organizing and Sustainability
16 Oct 2021 Latinx Caucus of DRUUMM
13 Oct 2021 Pacific Cluster Gathering - 2nd Wednesdays
10 Oct 2021 Member Orientation - Oct 2021
04 Oct 2021 Remembering Our Divine Self
30 Sep 2021 Spiritual Odyssey with Michelle Bentley
18 Sep 2021 DRUUMM Regional Caucuses
09 Sep 2021 Member Orientation - Sept 2021
04 Sep 2021 Celebration of Life for Rev. Dr. HOPE Johnson
02 Sep 2021 Indigeneous/Native Caucus of DRUUMM
17 Aug 2021 BIPOC Models of Ministry with Rev. Jen Simon
11 Aug 2021 Member Orientation - Aug 2021
02 Aug 2021 Installation Ceremony of the DRUUMMM Steering Committee
06 Jul 2021 Member Orientaion - July 2021
25 Jun 2014 General Assembly 2014 June 25-29, Providence, RI
14 Mar 2014 People of Color Regional Gathering
17 Jan 2014 DRUUMM/ARE 2014 Conference at First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego, CA
22 Sep 2013 Ordination of Maria Cristina Vlassidis Burgoa
16 Feb 2013 DRUUMM & ARE NEW ENGLAND GATHERING
06 Oct 2012 UU Living Legacy Civil Rights Pilgrimage
05 Apr 2012 Multicultural Leadership School for Youth and Young Adults
22 Jun 2011 Join Us at General Assembly!!!
25 Feb 2011 East Coast UU POC Gathering at Penn Center
14 Jan 2011 West Coast Gathering for Renewal and Hope
29 Jul 2010 Protest Against Arizona SB 1070
26 Jun 2010 People of Color/Latina/o/Hispanic Worship Too!
25 Jun 2010 DRUUMM Annual Membership Meeting
25 Jun 2010 General Assembly Worshop #3053 Self Identity Who Am I?
24 Jun 2010 Worship for People of Color/Latina/o/Hispanic
24 Jun 2010 #2052 Creating A Multicultural Future: the Question of Governance
19 Mar 2010 DRUUMM West Coast Regional Gathering
28 Jun 2009 GA 2009 DRUUMM Annual Meeting
24 Jun 2009 GA 2009