Music Ministry Update
May Hymn of the Month: #289 “Creative Love, Our Thanks We Give”
The text of our Hymn of the Month is a beautiful nod of gratitude to our creativity, wherever it may come from. This hymn doesn’t focus solely on the creation of art, but instead on how our creativity helps us to move within the world as individuals and as a community. It calls us to not only imagine better futures, but to put in the work to bring them to life. The original text, “Creation’s Lord, we give thee Thanks,” was written by William DeWitt Hyde (1885-1917), a Congregationalist minister and academic theologian. The version in our hymnal was adapted by Beth Ide, a Unitarian Universalist minister currently serving First Parish in Concord, MA. Although she adjusts the text quite a bit, the 4th stanza is nearly untouched – showing that both writers felt this was the core message of the hymn. The text is set to the tune of an English folk melody with a time signature that switches between 5/4 and 6/4. This gives the music an unusual and creative lilt, a musical reminder that our creativity helps us to adapt to and move with the unpredictable.
Songleaders needed!
Jennifer is seeking songleaders for our Music Ministry team. Songleaders will help lead congregational music on weeks that the choir is not singing in worship. This is a great opportunity for folks who love to sing, but cannot commit to Thursday night choir rehearsals. Email Jennifer at music@jruuc.org with questions or to get on the songleader email list!
Sacred Breath Choir
Sacred Breath Choir begins gathering again on Thursday August 29 from 7-8:30pm. Sacred Breath Choir welcomes folks of all voice types and musical backgrounds. We meet weekly on Thursdays from 7-8:30pm and sing at 1-2 worship services per month. Singing is nourishment for the mind, body, and spirit. Nourish yourself and your community by joining Sacred Breath Choir! Email Jennifer at music@jruuc.org or chat with them during coffee hour if you have any questions.
Folk Group
This season we will meet on the first and third Saturdays of each month from 10am to 11:30am at Reeb. All are welcome! We have songbooks to sing and play from, and you are welcome to bring your favorites too. Come and sing with us! And bring an instrument if you’d like to play!
FOLK GROUP MEETINGS MAY 3, 17 and 24
There will be no rehearsal on April 26. Jennifer has given us great opportunities for offering music in May! We’ll do 3 songs in May:
- May 4: Joy to the World (Three Dog Night, with altered lyrics, here’s a link)
- May 25: Imagine (John Lennon) and
- May 25: Joy is Like the Rain (Miriam Therese Winter, with altered lyrics, here’s a link)
Our May folk jams will be on May 3rd and May 17th at 10:00 am (first and third Saturdays). We’ll also meet briefly on May 24 to rehearse for the 25th. Come Sing Songs With Us! Anyone who has a song they would like us to play together, please notify Mike Stimson. Everyone is welcome, bring an instrument if you want!
If you want to be added to the Reeb Folk Group mailing list, please contact Mike Stimson. You can also contact Mike if you have particular songs you want to share with the group and he will add them to the group music.
Please check this week’s newsletter or contact Mike Stimson to verify the next practice dates!
Please send an email to music@jruuc.org with any questions or thoughts you have about music ministry at JRUUC.
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