A Short History of the UUMN

The UUMN was formed at a meeting during the 1982 General Assembly. A continental mailing invited broader membership. In 1983 the UUMN Newsletter, Notes, began publication and the first summer conference was held in Boston.

An elected board and executive committee govern the UUMN. Board members are drawn from across the continent and serve staggered terms. The executive committee serves a three year term.

The UUMN took an active role in the development of the UUA hymnbook, Singing the Living Tradition, and the hymnal supplement, Singing the Journey. UUMN members served on both task forces. The Network provided support in raising development funds, collecting and evaluating material, and helping to introduce the new book to congregations and their leaders.

A Services center was created in 1995 for the purposes of coordinating Network activities, providing communication among members and making contact with UUMN officers and liaison personnel. UUMN Services contains databases and published materials of the Network and processes membership mailings.

In 2000, 2003 and 2006 the UUMN organized a UU Children’s Choir in conjunction with the UUA General Assembly. UU children from the US and Canada come together for five days where they prepare and present music for GA attendees.

A certification program for UU musicians was established in 2006 with 10 candidates. This program is supervised by the Leadership Development Board of UUMN.

The UUMN is an international organization which boasts a membership of over 650 from North America, Europe and Asia.

Past UUMN Conferences and Hosts

1. 1983 Boston, MA – Joyce Gilbert, Ken Orton, Leo Collins
2. 1984 St. Paul, MN – Ken Ford
3. 1985 Portland, ME – Bob Winkley, Mark Slegers
4. 1986 Madison, WI – Bob Winkley, Ellsworth Snyder
5. 1987 Washington DC – Betsy Jo Angebranndt, Niki Davis
6. 1988 San Diego, CA – Ken Herman
7. 1989 Toronto, CAN – Laurie Frasier, Jacqui Alkin
8. 1990 Milwaukee, WI – Bob Simiele, Christian Rich
9. 1991 Baltimore, MD – James Huston
10. 1992 San Francisco, CA – Edwin Barlow, Eric Howe
11. 1993 Rochester, NY - Joyce Gilbert, Ed Schell
12. 1994 The Mountain - Shelley Denham
13. 1995 Evanston, Ill. - Bart Bradfield, John Giles
14. 1996 Houston, TX - Dean Dalton, Kay Dunn
15. 1997 Santa Monica, CA – Nicole Baker
16. 1998 Providence, RI - Helene Gersuny, Lee Ridgway
17. 1999 Bloomfield Hills, MI, Sue/Dan Boyce, Barbara Woolf
18. 2000 San Diego, CA - Ken Herman
19. 2001 The Mountain - Shelley Denham
20. 2002 Vancouver, BC - Joyce Poley
21. 2003 San Antonio, TX - Bill Ross
22. 2004 Arlington, VA – Bob Griffith
23. 2005 Denver, CO - Keith Arnold, Marlys Brinkman
24. 2006 St. Paul, MN – Sonja Johnston, Ruth Palmer
25. 2007 Clearwater, FL – Frank Wells

Past Presidents of UUMN

1. 1985 – Leo Collins
2. 1987 – David Jackson
3. 1989 – Ken Herman
4. 1991 – Niki Davis
5. 1993 – Ed Schell
6. 1995 – Eric Howe/ Bob Simiele
7. 1997 – Scott Ward/ Bill Belan
8. 1999 – Joyce Gilbert
9. 2002 – Ken Herman
10. 2005 – Elizabeth Norton