Join us before the AUUMM Conference for this course at the Milwaukee Marriott Downtown!

The esteemed team of Rev. John T. Crestwell, Jr. (he/him), Rev. Dr. Robert Hardies (he/him), Jen Hayman (she/her), Sophia Miller (she/her), and Adam Podd (he/him) are bringing us this phenomenal hybrid course with in-person training on Tuesday, July 28, 10-12 and 1:30-3:30 and a final online session in September (date and time TBD). Worship teams are encouraged to sign up together!

Course Description

Great worship doesn’t happen by accident—it grows from collaboration, imagination, and thoughtful planning. This curriculum invites UU ministers and musicians to explore the shared work of shaping worship that speaks to the spirit and strengthens congregational life. Together we’ll look at the theology and structure of UU worship, the art of planning a meaningful worship calendar, and ways to recognize and activate the gifts already present within our communities.

Successful completion of this course rewards credit toward the Music Leadership Certification Program.

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Instructor Team

Rev. John T. Crestwell, Jr. (he/him) Minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis, MD since 2009. For over 20 years he’s been a dynamic preacher, author, and spiritual teacher, and brings a transformative voice to the UU movement. Known for blending emotional literacy, consciousness evolution, justice, and hope, Rev. John invites people to live boldly and deepen their spiritual lives. A passionate singer and lifelong lover of music, he often integrates music’s healing and inspiring power into his ministry, helping create worship experiences that uplift, challenge, and connect the community.

Rev Dr Robert Hardies (he/him): Rev. Rob Hardies is Lead Minister of First Parish in Cambridge and the Unitarian Universalist Chaplain at Harvard University. Rob is an experienced preacher, teacher, counselor and activist. From 2001 to 2020, he was Senior Minister of All Souls Church, Unitarian in Washington, DC, a large, dynamic multiracial congregation. During his ministry at All Souls, Rob helped found and lead award-winning justice organizations that advocated for marriage equality and for voting rights. Before entering the ministry, Rob worked for Habitat for Humanity, and served as a human rights worker with Indigenous communities in Guatemala. A student of Emerson, Thoreau and the New England Transcendentalists, Rob often encounters the sacred in nature, and in his spare time enjoys leading walking pilgrimages along the Camino de Santiago.

Jen Hayman (she/her): Jen is the Director of Music at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Silver Spring, MD and current President of the Association for Unitarian Universalist Music Ministries (AUUMM). In her nearly 20 years in Unitarian Universalism, Jen has served small, mid-size and large congregations in Philadelphia PA, Washington DC, Arlington VA, Cambridge MA, and Silver Spring, MD. She has led music for Service of Living Tradition (2016, 2025), UUMA Institute (2021), Side With Love’s The Gathering(2025) and Mosaic Makers (2017, 2024). She is the founder of women’s vocal ensemble, bēheld, and Sound + Vision social justice youth chorus. Jen is passionate about the weaving of music and worship, and has built everything from flash mobs to solidarity sings to bluegrass bands to national virtual choirs to help better tell the story of this living faith tradition, often finding inspiration in the most unsuspecting places.

Sophia Miller (she/her): Sophia is a conductor, clinician, singer, songleader, and music educator based in New York City. Leading with a combination of artistic skill and a fully present heart, Sophia is known for her leadership and commitment to empowering voices of all ages, guiding children and adults, beginners and professionals alike, in singing that feels joyful, connected, and alive. Sophia serves as Director of Music at Foothills Unitarian Church in Fort Collins, Colorado, and is a proud part of the music team at First Unitarian Church in Brooklyn, New York, serving as a singer, songleader, choir conductor, soloist, and substitute music director. She leads music in choral, worship and workshop settings in schools, churches, and music educators’ conferences, and is frequently invited to conduct All-State choirs and gather people of all ages in song through Community Sings. Whether shaping a Sunday service, leading a workshop with other music leaders, teaching a song to a new community, or directing one of her beloved choirs, Sophia leads with presence, curiosity, and a deep commitment to helping communities find their collective voice.

Adam Podd (he/him): Adam Podd is a Brooklyn-based musician and composer with more than two decades of church, choral, and collaborative music-making experience. As Music Director at First Unitarian Church of Brooklyn, he leads the choir, and plays organ and piano, creating musical experiences that blend classical, traditional, jazz, gospel, and folk influences. With an aim to expand the definition of “sacred music,” heart-centered worship design and intentional programming are at the very core of Adam’s music ministry. He has led music, worship, and workshops at the national level for the UUA, AUUMM, and ACDA (American Choral Directors Association) as well as dozens of individual schools, churches, and other arts organizations. Adam brings a spirit of creativity, warmth, and collaboration to every ensemble he leads. He is obsessed with blurring the lines between performed and participatory music in church (and elsewhere).

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