January 6, 2026

Letter from the Board President and Minister

Dear UCM Community,

It is with mixed emotions that we write to inform you that Donia Prince will be retiring from her role as Director of Music at the end of this church year. Donia shares about her decision to retire in the letter below.

Since the summer of 2021, Donia has played a critical staff role in our community. She skillfully led the choir through the transition from fully remote services during the Covid pandemic to hybrid services and back to fully in-person services with a live stream. She has shared her love of music with the entire congregation as a song leader and facilitator of congregants sharing their musical gifts in worship. She has worked collaboratively and creatively with two different accompanists to bring us excellent musical offerings each Sunday.

With all the skills and gifts she has shared with us, Donia will be sorely missed. We also support Donia’s own spiritual and life path and wish her all the best as she prepares to move into the next chapter of her life. Donia won’t be leaving the area, and we trust that she will continue to be a part of our church community even after her retirement.

In the coming weeks, the Executive Team will be forming a search committee with the goal of hiring a new Music Director to begin July 1st. More details about that process will be shared soon.

Please know that we will be creating opportunities as we wind down the church year to celebrate and appreciate Donia as she concludes her staff role with UCM. We hope you will join us in expressing your thanks to Donia in the weeks ahead for her many contributions to our congregation. 

Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns in the coming days.

With love and gratitude,

Rev. Joan Javier-Duval (Minister) & Jeremy Beaudry (Board President)

Letter from the Director of Music

Dear Friends,

I am writing to let you all know some big news for me–I will be retiring from my position at UCM at the end of this church year.  

Serving as your music director for these past four and a half years has been a joy and immensely fulfilling. It has been a gift to work with all of the wonderful people in the choir; with our extraordinary worship team; with Eliza and now Sara; with the many talented musicians in our congregation, young and older; and the rest of our superb staff to try to craft something nurturing and inspiring each week. But as I have crept into retirement age, with the inevitable decrease in energy, I am finding I’m wanting to prioritize family, friendships and other interests.   

I expect that after some appropriate period of time away I will remain involved in the musical life of UCM in some form. I am confident that an excellent new music director will be found-someone who will bring their own unique gifts.  

I will help support the search for and transition to a new director in whatever ways I can.

In the meantime, it’s not time for goodbyes yet!  Here’s to 6 more fabulous months, and see you on Sunday!

Gratefully,

Donia