Joyce Gilbert

Spring 2024 Conference Odyssey 

Joyce Gilbert

Our association is fortunate to host Joyce Gilbert for an Odyssey presentation at the spring conference. Joyce is married to the Rev. Richard Gilbert, longtime minister of the First Unitarian Church in Rochester NY.

Joyce Timmerman descended from Palatine Germans who were drawn to the message of Universalist ministers in New York State after the French and Indian War. Growing up in the Universalist Church of Fort Plain NY, she met minister-to-be Dick Gilbert at Unirondack, the Universalist summer camp in the Adirondacks. Their paths continued to cross and merged 63 years ago. 

Music in and beyond churches has always been central in her life. A founder of the UU Musicians Network (now AUUMM), she regarded that group as her third child—after sons Matthew and Douglas. Her theme? “Life is but a song to sing.”

The conference is scheduled for April 15th through the 17th online or in person at Wilmington, Delaware or Kingston, Massachusetts. You can register for the conference at the UURMaPA website <uurmapa.org>. The conference fee is $45 per individual and scholarships are available. For more information and program details, check the Activities page on our webpage: <uurmapa.org/activities>.