March 8, 2026
David Dean presents
a sermon written by
Rev. Chad Snyder
Affiliated Community Minister, Merging Waters Unitarian Universalist Congregation, New Brighton, MN
“Not My Story”
Claudia Marshall, Worship leader
Gary Smart, Pianist (Accompanist and Special Music)
On the power and challenges of paying attention to each other’s stories…
“As Brene Brown puts it, “stories are only a form of connection when someone’s listening and hearing us.” And there’s a lot going on that can get in the way of truly listening and hearing. It’s hard to get out of our own narratives long enough to let someone else’s story stand on its own…”
About Our Speaker:
David Dean, a BBUUC member and an integral part of our Worship Team, is an Emmy-nominated editor who works as Senior Editor/Post-Producer for the PBS series “Samantha Brown’s Places to Love.” David is also a presenter, writer, and storyteller who volunteers his time as the editor of our worship videos and contributes his other talents in the worship arts to our ministry.
About our Sermon Author
Rev. Chad Snyder is Affiliated Community Minister at Merging Waters Unitarian Universalist Congregation in New Brighton, MN. A longtime member, he began as a Commissioned Lay Minister. He graduated from United Theological Seminary in 2025 and received the Lydia Myrl Kapp Award for preaching, and served as ministerial intern at Minnesota Valley UU Fellowship in Bloomington before returning there. His ministry emphasizes listening, human dignity, and a theology of interdependence.
About our Member Musician
Dr. Gary Smart is a Presidential Professor of Music at the University of North Florida. His career has encompassed a wide range of activities as composer, classical and jazz pianist, and teacher. He composes and improvises music that reflects an abiding interest in Americana, jazz, world music, and Western classical tradition. He has performed in major venues in the United States, Europe, and Asia. His “Concordia” for orchestra won the Concordia Jazz Competition Award and premiered at Lincoln Center, New York. Dr. Smart has spent two residencies in Japan, teaching programs at Osaka University and Kobe College. He has also taught in Indonesia as a “Distinguished Lecturer” for the Fulbright program.