Beethoven said that his music would change the world, and he showed the world some ways that music could be different than it ever had been. He was an original thinker and single-minded musician who courageously created a path for the world.
Being a UU musician takes courage to choose music that fits us. Along with courage is trust that we are all able to take a risk. Transformation is the fulfillment of that courage and trust as we go forward. I am humbled and honored to say that when we choose hymns, choir anthems, and special music, we never know how it will land. I trust YOU to take the leaps that our faith asks of us to be present and open. I am deeply grateful.
A song we will soon be singing by the great Melanie DeMore, called “Lead With Love”:
“You gotta put one foot in front of the other and lead with love
Put one foot in front of the other and lead with love
—-I know you’re scared, I know you’re scared
and I’m scared too, and I’m scared too
but here I am but here I am
right next to you, right next to you.”
Courage, trust, taking risks, leading with love that leads to being transformed by and with each other. That is living our UU faith.
– Charlyn
Music in October:
October 4th: The First Parish Choir will sing two anthems: “Welcome, Welcome” and “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If it Ain’t Got That Swing)”
October 11th: Djalai Babazadeh will be singing and playing a jazz song that honors her granddaughter, August.
October 25th: Our guest musician is Layan Howila. She will sing and accompany herself playing the oud, a short-necked fretless lute that is often part of Middle Eastern music.
October 27th: Vespers is at 7 pm. Musicians will include the Hand in Hand singers (Debi King, Marianne Collins, Jean Gauthier, Djalai Babazadeh, Charlyn Bethell—with guests Michael Collins and Guy Urban).