President’s Letter — January 2008

What is spiritual?

More and more of us are looking for a spiritual experience on Sunday mornings. I know that I look to our worship services as an opportunity to reflect on the joys and sorrows of the past and to consider my role in making this a better place!and on becoming a better person. Recently Reverend Jim described “spiritual” as religious experiences being, ” inspiring, transforming, conscious-raising, moving, touching, enlightening, motivating, a call to action!healing!a feeling of connection with something greater than ourselves.”

The music in our Fellowship is a spiritual experience that often penetrates my emotional center faster and better than the best sermon (no offense to our own amazing sermonizer). I have said previously that one of the roles of a transformational church is to provide the opportunity for those with special talents to share those gifts within our religious community. We are blessed with many talented musicians. We all benefit from the frequent performances of Spirits in Harmony and Erika Schenker. In addition we have enjoyed the performances of Iris Dayer, Greg Kullberg, Dick Joseph, Nenette Kress and several others. Hopefully these individuals will stay with us and continue to inspire us with their music.

It may not be apparent how much work goes into preparing for the performances we enjoy. More than the musicians’ practice, the coordination and planning for these experiences can be substantial and often goes unrecognized. Moreover, I believe there is a potential for music to be an even more powerful part of our worship. And I believe that there is a substantial wealth of untapped talent in our midst.

Are we ready for a formally appointed music director? A UU guidebook suggests that, “…a thriving church music program is the result of careful planning, ongoing support, and a continued commitment to provide music that addresses the spiritual needs of the church community. As components of worship, music and the spoken word are of equal importance.” A number of our members have approached Reverend Jim and me about beginning to plan such a process.

To begin to consider the prospects of a formal direction for the music in our Congregation, we have scheduled a special event. On Sunday, February 3rd at 3:30 pm Rev. Dr. Ed Thompson, Minister of Music of the Unitarian Church in Westport, Connecticut, will come with his Chamber Choir to perform for us!and to talk about the formal music program at their church. Not only can we expect this performance to be a moving, spiritual experience, but it will be an opportunity to launch our consideration of a music director as a member of our paid staff!and our opportunity to build on our music program. Is this an investment we should make in our congregation? If the current music is part of the magnet that draws in new members and elevates many of us, both as performers and captivated listeners, than this opportunity can be critical to the future of our congregation. I encourage you to mark your calendar for this free event.

Well selected, well prepared and carefully presented, music can be a powerful means to explore our spiritual needs for reflection and celebration, inspiration and transformation. This may not explain what is spiritual, but it can help us down the path to exploration every Sunday on the happiest or saddest days of our lives!and all of the days in between. Join us on February 3rd as we begin to consider this investment in our future.

The light is on, the door is open.
Please come in, we have much warmth to share.

Eddy Fried
President of the Board of Trustees