Music Ministry Update
June Hymn of the Month: “Days of Rage and Days of Hope” by Amanda Udis-Kessler
Per her website, Amanda Udis-Kessler is “a hymnwriter, songwriter, composer, and writer who specializes in music and lyrics for liberal/progressive religious people and communities, including inclusive, social justice-minded Christians, Unitarian Universalists, and other open-hearted religious traditions.” Our teal hymnal includes one of her Earth-centered hymns and I’ve featured her work as both shared music and special music at JRUUC. “Days of Rage and Days of Hope” is a Pride hymn that remembers the Stonewall Uprising of 1969. Found on her website of free-use music, queersacredmusic.com, this hymn is one of many by Udis-Kessler that centers on Queer themes.
I love what the composer writes about Queer sacred music when she says: “Queer people (broadly defined) have had a relationship with the holy, the ground of our being, our ultimate concern, or whatever other term you prefer for the Mystery since time immemorial and sometimes we write music (songs, hymns, and rounds) about it – to celebrate, to worship, to give thanks, to mourn, to secure ourselves for hard times ahead, to connect with others, and because both music and queerness are wonderful things.” Amen. As we celebrate Pride month, this hymn will help us remember that the first Pride was a riot. May we honor our own divine rage and hope as much as we honor those who came before us.
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
This summer, watch your weekly newsletter for pop-up singing opportunities and let Jennifer know if you are interested in sharing Special Music in a Sunday service.
Sacred Breath Choir begins gathering again the last week of August 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!
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 Jennifer Hedstrom at music@jruuc.org with any questions or thoughts you have about music ministry at JRUUC.
Click here for our congregation’s weekly email