A different approach to Joys and Concerns Stones during Centering Music
I encourage you to arrive a little bit early to church this Sunday to hear some beautiful Centering Music from Karin (see below for more information about that music). If you choose to place a stone or two in the water as part of UUCC’s Joys and Concerns ritual, you’re invited to do so during the Centering Music, which will start around 10:10 and continue a little past 10:15.
Come, Sing a Song with Me!
I’m very happy to say that the UUCC Chancel Choir has returned to our regular Wednesday practices! If you didn’t get a chance to join us this week, it’s not too late. UUCC’s Chancel Choir is open to all adults and high school youth who are interested, regardless of experience level. Rehearsals are at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday evenings in the Worship Center (Room 208), and professional childcare is available for any who need it. Any questions? Just get in touch with UUCC Music Director Mike Carney. I hope to see you next Wednesday evening!
Music Notes – Sunday, August 31st:
This Sunday’s musician is UUCC Pianist Karin Tooley
Centering Music: Improvisation on Open My Heart – Flurry, arr. Tooley
#1013 in Singing the Journey, “Open My Heart” is a simple round written by Henry Flurry (b. 1964), an award-winning UU composer, educator, and pianist based in Prescott, Arizona. Flurry has composed in response to commissions from the Atlanta Wind Symphony, University City Symphony, Camarata Singers, and others. He has also collaborated with various artists to create multimedia children’s software for many different publishers, including Disney, Scholastic, IBM, and Harper Collins. Flurry and his wife Maria regularly perform together as the duo Sticks and Tones. (includes material from henryflurry.com)
Song: When I Am Frightened – Denham
“When I Am Frightened” (#1012 in Singing the Journey), also titled “Then I May Learn”, was commissioned in 1999 by the First Unitarian Church of Dallas. Because of her lifelong commitment to working with and empowering youth, UU composer Shelley Jackson Denham (1950-2013) took the opportunity to write a piece based on children’s yearning for truth, respect, and engagement with adults. In keeping with a philosophy that “children are watching, what are they learning?”, the song is meant as a reminder that all children deserve and need compassion, acceptance, commitment…and that they often learn to both give and receive these essential elements of relationship through the simple act of observation. (includes material from uua.org)
Offertory Music: This Is Me – Pasek and Paul
“This Is Me” is a song from the 2017 film musical The Greatest Showman. The music and lyrics were co-written by Benj Pasek (b. 1985) and Justin Paul (b. 1985), a songwriting team known primarily for their work in film and theater, including the scores for Dear Evan Hansen and A Christmas Story (stage musical), and original songs from La La Land. “This Is Me” won the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song and was nominated for an Academy Award in the same category.
Song: Let It Be a Dance – Masten
“Let It Be a Dance” (#311 in our Singing the Living Tradition hymnal) was originally written and performed by Ric Masten (1929-2008), a California-based Unitarian Universalist folk singer, songwriter, poet, storyteller, and author. Masten’s song has a natural motion and momentum, and I encourage all of you to let your body move and bend and (of course) dance while you sing along with this song on Sunday morning.
Postlude: Born This Way – Germanotta & Laursen
“Born This Way” is the title track and lead single from the 2011 album of the same name by Lady Gaga (b. 1986 as Stefani Germanotta). The song was co-written by Gaga along with Danish producer/songwriter Jeppe Laursen (b. 1977). Gaga has referred to “Born This Way” as her ‘freedom song’ and has stated in interviews that the song and its message were inspired by 1980s and 1990s anthems which empowered women and the LGBTQ+ community. “Born This Way” debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States and also reached #1 in over 25 other countries. Worldwide, the song has sold over 10 million copies to date, making it one of the best-selling singles in history, and it also holds a Guinness World Record for the “Fastest-selling Single” on iTunes, with over a million copies sold in the first five days after its release. “Born This Way” was also a critical success, winning two MTV Music Awards among several other accolades.
-Mike Carney, UUCC Music Director