Alex and Chris arrive at the Theodore Parker Unitarian Universalist Church in West Roxbury around 9:00 AM. Rick, Victor and Brad are already there setting up equipment, and Dev comes in shortly afterward. Today we will be providing music to accompany a service which is part of a series the church has been holding on the seven UU principles. It will be a different challenge for this group, and we're not fully sure what to anticipate.
We will be playing in quasi-circle form (as opposed to semi-circle) in the alcove of the main hall of the church, behind the pulpit. For this occasion, we will be in stereo, using two of Victor's smaller PA speakers. We take turns playing through the system to get a rough idea of tone, panning and volume in this space, and then tighten it up as a group. Things aren't too buggy and we're able to get our sound quickly.
We touch base with Rev. Lili Nye who will be leading the service and get a rundown of the procession of events from Victor. The focus of the service is the Flower Communion, wherein participants each bring a flower to offer the group and take a flower in turn, symbolizing reciprocity and the interconnectedness of life.
The service begins at 10:30 with an improvised prelude from us as people enter the church (as an interesting sidelight, the prelude form was originally improvisatory and strongly associated with the lute, and served a function similar to this). Once the congregation is more or less assembled, Rev. Lili offers some introductory words and opens the floor for community and personal announcements, followed by a reading from Black Elk Speaks and a prayer offered by some children from the community, and a hymn.
Then, the Flower Communion begins with some improvisation from us. Following the procession, the congregation gathers in a circle around the pews and offers another hymn in the style of a round in two sections. There is then an extended moment of silence for meditation and reflection; eventually, we gently bring the congregation back with some music, and Rev. Lili can begin her sermon. During the offertory, we offer a cool-headed Where's the Nurse. Some final hymns and words to complete the service, and a "postlude" from us while people disperse around noontime.
Since we're all here anyway, we decide to meet & eat after tearing down, and enjoy a spicy lunch at a Thai restaurant.
1 comment:
To quote an aphorism, "sometimes God hides." On the other hand, I sense that with the very last chord of the very last piece (circulation) that we played, God took a peek inside. Unclear to me if he was smiling or not.
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