Saturday Sharing: Singing Welcome as an Antiracist Practice

Singing Welcome as an Antiracist Practice

Part of the work of the church is to "sing welcome" to those who might find a spiritual home with us but who have not yet joined us. The UCC is committed to welcoming all people including those from Black/Indigenous/People of Color communities; what does that mean in practice for church musicians? Join composer, church musician and antiracism trainer Dr. Amanda Udis-Kessler for a session on what it means to sing welcome as an antiracist practice. Through workshop activities and discussion of materials provided ahead of time, we'll think together about the spiritual work of singing welcome (spoiler alert: it involves discomfort). We'll ponder why we should use Black church music in all-white (or almost all-white) congregations and how we might do so responsibly. We'll face up to the challenge of singing about racism directly and plainly as part of our spiritual and justice work. Finally, we'll engage with one of Amanda's antiracist pieces, a re-imagining of the 23rd Psalm for white people striving to work against racism. Come join the conversation!

Amanda Udis-Kessler is a sociologist (PhD, Boston College), social justice educator, writer, church musician, hymnwriter, sacred music composer, and liturgist. Find her music at queersacredmusic.com and her writing at amandaudiskessler.com. Her book Abundant Lives: A Progressive Christian Ethic of Flourishing will be released by Pilgrim Press in May 2024. Her book Cultural Processes of Inequality: A Sociological Perspective will be released by Anthem Press in July 2024. Contact Amanda at amanda@amandaudiskessler.com.

This is a free, one-hour conversation on ZOOM. All are welcome. 12 PM ET / 9 AM PT

Please register for the event to receive the Zoom link. Preparation materials will be included in your confirmation email.

Can't attend? Register anyway and we'll send you a link to the recording.