Saturday Sharing: Justice in Worship and Music, Part 1

Justice in Worship and Music, Part 1

Join new UCCMA Board member Amanda Udis-Kessler for an introduction to her free-use sacred music and the DEI side of her Board role. In this session, Amanda will introduce her music website queersacredmusic.com with a special focus on new texts written to traditional tunes (often very accessible for UCC churches). She'll also introduce UCCMA members to our DEI statement and its importance in our current social and political context. Finally, Amanda will draw some connections between DEI, prophetic justice, and the importance and power of inclusive liturgy, drawing from her workshop at the 2024 UCCMA conference and pointing forward to a future Saturday Sharing session about how UCC musicians might think about inclusive liturgy. There will be time for a Q&A.

This Saturday Sharing is Part 1 of a 2-part series; the other part will occur later this fall or in the spring.

Dr. Amanda Udis-Kessler is a hymnwriter, composer, writer, and trainer. Her hymns, responsive readings, and selected sermons have been published in seven hymnals and on multiple progressive religious websites. Amanda serves informally as composer-in-residence at Vista Grande Community Church UCC in Colorado Springs, where she is a Covenantal Partner. Amanda is a member of the UCCMA, the Hymn Society in the United States and Canada, and the Fellowship of Worship Artists. A sociologist by training, Amanda also offers workshops on antiracism for white people, on creativity, and on inclusive liturgy. Find Amanda’s free-use hymns, songs, and worship music at queersacredmusic.com; find information about her books and other writings at amandaudiskessler.com. Amanda can be reached at amanda@amandaudiskessler.com.

This is a free, one-hour conversation on ZOOM. All are welcome. Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 12 PM ET / 9 AM PT

Please register for the event to receive the Zoom link.

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