<html>
<head>
<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8">
</head>
<body bgcolor="#FFFFFF" text="#000000">
<p>Hi Martha,</p>
<p>I didn't find a direct email address for Michael Dowd, the author
of <i>Thank God for Evolution</i>, but you can find a contact
form on his web site (michaeldowd.org). You can also view his TED
talk, and see some of his presentations. He and his wife, Connie
Barlow, often present jointly, as they did when he was in Marietta
some years ago. I dug out his book - that I know I never finished
reading - and I'll bring it in soon. I am sure the Faith-Based
Initiatives branch of MOVCA would be interested in co-sponsoring
an event with him/them, maybe after the first of the year. <br>
</p>
<p>The other person I thought might be interesting to hear from is
Dr. Catherine Roma. The workshop was entitled "Choral Singing: the
Path to Justice, Inclusion and Love." She is a member of the UU
Musicians Network, sponsor of the workshop, and the music she
shared was directed toward using it in social justice ministry.
Hearing about what she's done was inspiring. Here's some info
about her work from an event at which she received an award: <br>
</p>
<p><strong>Catherine Roma, DMA</strong><br>
Professor of Music, Wilmington College<br>
Founder & Artistic Director Emerita,<br>
MUSE Cincinnati's Women's Choir
</p>
<p>Few things are as inspiring and filled with human potential and
understanding as voices raised in song. Dr. Catherine Roma has
spent more than 30 years making sure that the songs and music in
the Tristate never stop bringing people together. Guided by values
of feminism, social justice and inclusion, she has directed choirs
and commissioned musical works across barriers of race, religion,
class, sexual orientation, age and imprisonment, starting in 1984
when she founded MUSE, Cincinnati’s Women’s Choir, from which she
recently retired. She continues to serve as the Minister of Music
at St. John’s Unitarian Universalist Church in Cincinnati. Two of
her choirs are based in men’s prisons; three won category gold
medals at the Cincinnati-hosted 2012 World Choir Games, for which
she co-chaired the Local Music Advisory Committee. “I value a
feminist model of leadership in building community,” Dr. Roma
says. “I’ve learned that repertoire, the pieces a group sings,
honors our vibrant cultural differences and enables us to learn
valuable things about each other.”</p>
<p>Founder of MUSE Women’s Choir, Martin Luther King Coalition
Chorale, UMOJA Men’s Chorus, UBUNTU Men’s Chorus, World House
Choir</p>
<p>Board of Directors, Greater Cincinnati Choral Consortium,
2013-2014</p>
<p>Devoted Service Award, Martin Luther King Coalition, 2012; King
Legacy Award, National Underground Freedom Center, 2013</p>
<p>Outstanding Alumnae Award, University of Cincinnati LGBTQ Center,
2011</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<p> I think you said Kat (or Suzyn?) was looking into bringing Hal
Walker to Marietta. I believe he is the liaison from the UU
Musicians to our region, so that might be an easier connection.
Dr. Roma is retired from her position with the Cincinnati UU
church, but I am pretty sure she is an Ohio resident. Sorry, I
don't have any address, email or otherwise.</p>
<p>I'll keep looking,</p>
<p>Adeline<br>
</p>
<p><br>
</p>
</body>
</html>