“Diversity is having a seat at the table, inclusion is having a voice, and belonging is having that voice be heard.”—Liz Fosslien
This month, we explore the Practice of Inclusion. Music exudes the notion of Inclusion, defined as “the action or state of including or of being included within a group or structure.” We include ourselves by singing a hymn at a church service. We include ourselves by listening to words and to music. Including oneself means that we know we have a place at the table and that others will value our being there. Inclusion can go a step further, too.
Inclusion means that we share the space, which honors other’s place as equal to our own. To make room for those other voices, we must take ourselves away from the center, that is to say, ‘De-center’ ourselves. It means we know when to take up the space and when to give that space to others. Incredible growth can happen from our awareness of this process. The time to do this is now, every day. May it be so!
Music at First Parish in February:
February 9th is Music Sunday. Music as Worship
Music is our worship. The choir will sing accompanied by a string quartet. The two anthems they will sing are I’m Gonna Sing by Mark Miller and The Ground by Ola Gjeilo. We will be teaching a new hymn to the congregation, Seed of Hope by John Kramer.
Vespers will be Tuesday, February 25th at 7 pm. We will share the music of Alyssa Lawson and John Buchanan.
Charlyn Bethell
Charlyn’s professional training has followed two paths: as a professional oboist and as a music teacher and conductor. As Music Director at First Parish, she joins these two paths of her musical life, conducting the choir, coordinating guest musicians, and performing on oboe.