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Behind the Music: Room at the Table

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When it comes to holiday meals, there’s a picturesque, Rockwell-esque vision that comes to mind for many of us: glossy brown turkeys, mashed potatoes with golden butter, steaming, savory vegetable dishes, and tempting desserts. For some, this is just something we look forward to and take for granted. For others, it’s just a childhood memory or something seen on television…not because they don’t believe in festive shared meals, but because they’re taking on extra shifts, scrimping and saving, or searching for a safe place to sleep and enough to eat.

Rev. Alex centered this Sunday’s service on the following: home and food are not just physiological needs, but carriers of culture and dignity. If someone doesn’t have a safe place to call their own, a place to prepare their own meals, how can they feel safe and secure? If one doesn’t have access to food, doesn’t this mean that they also lack agency in their choices about food that fits their heritage or their personal values? How and where food is produced carries ethical implications, meaning that not only is it difficult for some to obtain the food that they wish to eat, but it also means they are unable to give their business to farmers and local food providers. This in turn affects how farmers and local food providers support themselves, as well as impacting their ability to keep creating and distributing food ethically. Everything is connected. Because the holidays amplify both the joy of gathering around food and the heartache of those left out, Alex’s sermon reminded us of something simple: making room at the table (by supporting neighbors’ access to familiar, culturally meaningful food while preserving dignity, choice, and respect) is just part of being a member of this community. For many folks, the UUFC is a steady home away from home, and there is something sacred in how we feed and hold one another, making sure everyone belongs.

I initially selected today’s prelude, “She Used to Be Mine” simply for its indirect connection to food, but as Alex’s sermon unfolded, it seemed as if this song from the Broadway musical “Waitress” had been custom-designed for today’s service. “Waitress” is about Jenna, a pregnant waitress and pie maker who is trapped in an abusive marriage. She dreams of a better life for herself but lacks the financial resources to escape her controlling husband Earl. Throughout the musical, Jenna uses various pies as metaphors for her dreams and struggles, and it is eventually pie that becomes a beacon of hope for her: if she can bake an incredible pie and win the upcoming Springfield Pie Contest, the $20,000 prize is her ticket to freedom. In “She Used to be Mine”, Jenna sings vulnerably about who she used to be, before she needed her beloved pies to serve as comforting representations of her feelings, and as well as her escape plan.

I wasn’t familiar with Carrie Newcomer’s “Room at the Table”, but when Alex asked me to sing this song, it was immediately clear why she wanted this piece included in today’s service. Newcomer invites us to extend home and table outward to everyone. One can do this as an individual or with their family, but can also check out ideas and collaborate with others at any of the levels that Alex spoke about: the UUFC Secure Housing and Food for All Team, the Corvallis Unity Shelter, and the World Bank. The lyrics speak for themselves.

Room at the Table, by Carrie Newcomer

Let our hearts not be hardened to those living on the margins
There is room at the table for everyone
This is where it all begins this is how we gather in
There is room at the table for everyone

Too long we have wandered burdened and undone
But there is room at the table for everyone
Let us sing the new world in this is how is all begins
There is room at the table for everyone

There is room for us all
And no gift is too small
There is room at the table for everyone
There’s enough if we share
Come on pull up a chair
There is room at the table for everyone

No matter who you are no matter where you’re from
There is room at the table for everyone
Here and now we can be the beloved community
There is room at the table for everyone

There is room for us all
And no gift is too small
There is room at the table for everyone
There’s enough if we share
Come on pull up a chair
There is room at the table for everyone

There is room for us all
And no gift is too small
There is room at the table for everyone
There’s enough if we share
Come on pull up a chair
There is room at the table for everyone

Let our hearts not be hardened to those living on the margins
There is room at the table for everyone
Room at the table
This is our gathering
Room at the table for everyone
Room at the table
Room at the table for everyone
Everyone

The ode “Drink with Me” from Les Misérables by Claude-Michel Schönberg features a group of young nineteenth-century Parisian rebels seeking solace and companionship on eve of a battle which the singers know they will not all survive. There is no home, there is no table, but the passing of the wine has both a communal and communion-like feel as the group prepares to rise against the inequality, political suppression, and poverty imposed by their government. The musical’s overarching message goes hand-in-hand with today’s sermon it’s charge to help make home and food possible for those who are in need: “To love another person is to see the face of God.”

I really love hymn #407 from Singing the Living Tradition, “We’re Gonna Sit at the Welcome Table”. On top of letting its gospel style shine through and being just plain fun, the text again says it all. This song promises a seat, a shared meal, and a safe gathering to all, including those who are hungry, houseless, or excluded in other ways. The welcome table reminds us that sustenance and shelter aren’t just physical boxes to check off, but conduits for dignity, culture, connection, and personal moral codes.

We’re gonna sit at the welcome table.
We’re gonna sit at the welcome table
one of these days, hallelujah!
We’re gonna sit at the welcome table,
gonna sit at the welcome table
one of these days.

All kinds of people around that table.
All kinds of people around that table
one of these days, hallelujah!
All kinds of people around that table,
gonna sit at the welcome table
one of these days.

No fancy style at the welcome table.
No fancy style at the welcome table
one of these days, hallelujah!
No fancy style at the welcome table.
gonna sit at the welcome table
one of these days.

Behind the Music: Roots hold me close, wings set me free

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This morning Reverend Alex invited us to reflect on desire as a spiritual quality. How can we learn to recognize and trust the spiritual desires within ourselves? When we learn to notice how our spiritual longings take shape as well as to honor the spiritual desires of others, our lives and the lives of those around us will become richer with meaning and purpose.

Massenet’s famous Méditation from Thaïs has been played at weddings, funerals, and all manner of occasions that call for a moment of beauty, emotional depth, and reflection. The opera Thaïs is centered upon Thaïs, a hedonistic courtesan whose life is filled with shallow pleasures and transactional relationships. Thaïs is jaded and nihilistic, living for luxury and the moment, without any substantial meaning to her existance. The monk Athanaël – whose motives aren’t entirely altruistic – warns Thaïs that only focusing on the good life and other superficial indulgences is ultimately empty and destructive. Thaïs is resistant to Athanaël’s urging, but while the intention behind his words isn’t pure, his message forces her to take a look at herself and as the Méditation is performed, Thaïs comes to the realization that she wants something deeper and real. After this revelation, Thaïs abandons her old life and her soul feels fulfilled when she dies at the opera’s conclusion.

Carolyn McDade’s beloved UU hymn “Spirit of Life” carries an astonishing amount within its six brief lines and can be sung in connection with compassion, justice, community, freedom, nature, and the mystery of being. Today, it served as an expression of desire in the form of openness and receptivity, especially in light of Alex’s explanation that desire sometimes comes in a form that we don’t recognize. The original hymn is beautiful as written, but for this service I used slightly altered chords to evoke a stronger sense of yearning, along with an open-ended cadence that suggests hope and continuation rather than a neat and tidy conclusion.

Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” is such a wonderful example of really good song-writing. The melody is lovely and actually goes somewhere (rather than a repetitive phrase that depends on the lyrics or artist’s voice to make it enjoyable), the text is honest and vulnerable, the beautiful harmonic progressions underline the meaning of the lyrics, and the stark transparency of the accompaniment lets the well-crafted melody, words, and harmonies shine, rather than gilding the lily. I can think of no song that better expresses desires that are wistful and deeply human with this level of emotion and simplicity.

Norman Greenbaum’s “Spirit in the Sky” served as today’s postlude and while fast and fun, it still highlights a different facet of spiritual desire: a bright, declamatory longing for connection with something larger than ourselves. Greenbaum wrote this song after being inspired by a gospel music performance; he didn’t share the theology behind the music, but was profoundly moved by the joy and conviction he experienced. “Spirit in the Sky” captures a particular sort of desire so wonderfully – an energetic pull toward meaning, invigoration, and clarity – not to mention a wildly catchy guitar riff! May this postlude serve as a reminder to move toward hope, toward transformation, and toward whatever “sky” or horizon holds meaning for you.

Behind the Music: Let the river run, let all the dreamers wake the nation

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If “work” is the body exerting physical and/or mental effort to affect change in one’s environment, and if “labor” is work that we are paid to do, how can we live our lives so that work is sacred and labor is just? These are questions that Rev. Alex posed to us, and below are the piano selections from today’s service connected to the dignity of work. These pieces hail from different eras and genres, but all speak in their own way of finding meaning, wellness, or peace in our work and labor.

While many of us are familiar with Fields of Gold,  Sting’s pop/rock song about love and the passing of time, I find myself drawn to Eva Cassidy’s stripped down and vulnerable folk rendition rather than the original. Regardless of which version is preferred, once one looks past the surface ideas of love and the passing of time, this song is rooted in imagery of scenes from a certain type of work: fields, laboring outdoors, harvests. When listening to Sting croon about the shared time and effort of a romantic relationship, parallels can be found with the meaning in collaboration and valuing others within our work and labor. And of course, the lyrical melody and lovely harmonies of Fields of Gold are a gentle, lovely way to welcome our community into the sanctuary on a Sunday morning.

Coldplay’s “The Scientist” is filled with a number of poignant lyrics, but the most crucial words of all are “Nobody said it was easy”.  We encounter this concept every day, in both our personal and professional lives. Even if the task at hand is “easy”, there are always challenges and struggles that can arise, be it with work or labor, practical or creative endeavors, large tasks or small. The song’s message to persevere, be accountable for our mistakes and pursue growth is an important one.

Normally a buoyant, upbeat song from Pete Seeger, If I Had a Hammer is a piece of music that inspires us to clap our hands, tap our toes, and sing along – but it’s also a call to action. As we sing about a hammer, a bell, a song, we are really singing about standing for justice, fairness, and hope, and our singing serves as a reminder that what we do matters most when it builds equity and uplifts others. (David Servias was originally slated to play the piano today, and If I Had a Hammer was originally his idea for the offertory!)

Let the River Run was not the planned postlude for today – some of the options I considered was to play the more traditional version of If I Had a Hammer or perhaps the Beatles’ Come Together! But after hearing Rev. Alex’s sermon, a different song came to mind, a song that represents possibility, dealing with disappointment and injustice, striving for change, and the hope for personal peace.  While a lively finale of “If I Had a Hammer” would have been fun, “Let the River Run” just seemed very right for the end of today’s service.

Cancelled: Children’s Playground Sunday

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Due to a combination of circumstances, the scheduled playground reopening and sidewalk chalk values gathering during the August 3rd service has been cancelled. We are all eager to get the kids back to the playground, so we will be watching for the opportunity to safely reschedule and will make an announcement here if such an opportunity arises prior to the scheduled start of Fall RE.

Daily Practice – A Reminder

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These words were written in another June – 2023 – and are a good reminder now, given the changes that are both here and coming: 

Good morning friends – Part of my daily practice is to read, in a way similar to an old Christian tradition called lectio divina.  I generally choose a book or reading randomly, without a specific aim – pulling a book off of a shelf or a pile, opening to whichever page appears. Reading what is there and then letting it settle a bit. Watching for my responses, my wonderings, my surprise or acknowledgement. Sometimes I return to words I know well, and let them speak again; often they speak in new ways.  This practice is as much listening as reading, and the listening happens in silence.  In this way I experience openings – to my thoughts and feelings, to a moment, to a day.

It’s easy to simply keep moving in ways we are used to, along paths we have created in our minds and bodies, in directions we call normal. The world, our lives, offer so much more – more horizons, more paths, more colors and shapes.  It confuses and confounds us that almost everything “more” begins with awareness of breath, and the small,  imperceptible steps to deepen that awareness. 

We begin again right here.  It may look like the same place, a “normal” morning or moment.  It is anything but.  At the very least, this moment has the potential for everything new, things we’ve never even dreamed of.  They are not far away, they are deep within. We may find or hear or see them, or we may not. The breath will be our guide, if we let it. Like words randomly chosen then followed or listened to in silence. Like doors that have always been there, which finally open and invite us in.   

May there be moments like this for you this week,  May you pause to follow your breath, and find yourself where it takes you.  May you give thanks for another day given.    Sending love to you all — Jill

Best Practices with Service Animals

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Part of being a safe and welcoming community for everyone who chooses to be in covenant with us is learning about how to be awesome with service animals when they are present. Curious about best practice when you encounter a service animal out and about? We’ve got you covered!

  1. Notice when an animal is in a service vest, signaling that it is not a pet, but a working companion.
  2. Ask the human how the service dog helps them and get permission before interacting with the service dog.
  3. Speak directly to the human, not the service dog.
  4. Give extra personal space to the service dog and its person.
  5. Always assume the service dog is busy working, not off duty.

More information is available from Guide Dogs of America to deepen your understanding and skills. Thanks for helping us live our values of inclusivity!

“Who We Choose To Become” 6/8

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What kind of identity do we choose to embrace to meet the moments that life, events and circumstances throw at us?  It is not just to know who we are but to decide who we need to be and become.  A place where our chosen identity, fueled by our behaviour will lead to a world of our values.  Come reflect with Rev. Mwibutsa

“A Time For Girding” 4/13/25

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As a foundational story, the Exodus, in the Hebrew Bible, remains one of the most essential for us. It is part of “where we come from.”  Our current, modern understandings of social justice and right relations emerged from this story and it has been interpreted again and again in American history.  The telling of the Exodus story is at the center of Passover (Pesach) in the Jewish community, which begins this year on Saturday April 12 at sundown.  Let’s tell it again, and listen for the wisdom and courage it offers us for the these days we live in now. 

With Rev. Jill McAllister

Stay after the service to meet and greet Jamie Petts and share appreciation for her years of service to the Fellowship as our Operations Manager, and to wish her well in her new endeavors. 

Behind the Music: Golden Slumbers

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As I heard Jill speak about the roles and impact that poetry holds in today’s world, a very faint memory arose in my mind, growing stronger as she continued describing how poetry can touch, comfort, and inspire us. My daughter has been watching the delightful animated film “Sing” recently, which opens with a soulful rendition of “Golden Slumbers” sung by a grand old diva, voiced by singer Jennifer Hudson. Anyone with children knows how a favorite movie will be played on repeat again and again, and will understand why this song would be floating around my head! But until this morning’s poetry “sermon”, I had forgotten that the lyrics of this wonderful work by Paul McCartney have roots in a very old poem by Elizabethan dramatist and writer Thomas Dekker. In his youth, Paul found the above poem set to music sitting on his father’s piano; unable to read music notation at the time, Paul sat down and created his own melody for the poem, adjusting the text to fit his tune.

“I liked the words so much. I thought it was very restful, a very beautiful lullaby, so I just sat at the piano and started playing with it.”

—Paul McCartney (from Many Years From Now, Barry Miles, 1997)

Such a universal and timeless sentiment, wanting to soothe and urge rest for those we love, especially in times of trouble and discord. Upon recalling this memory, I couldn’t not play this piece of music with poetic origins for the offertory, especially when it paired so beautifully with our choir anthem, Billy Joel’s “Lullabye”.

New Inquirers Series Finisher!

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Congratulations to Kim D for completing all 9 Inquirers Series session! Kim asked to be presented with her finisher’s gift of a home chalice within the circle of her final Inquirers Series session rather than in front of the congregation. She attends services primarily online, and hopes to start helping with the Fellowship grounds. If you bump into her while she’s working on the property, be sure to introduce yourself.

As an introduction, Kim says:

“In 2025 I am going to continue growing and learning and finding myself after four plus decades with my husband in my life, 30 years of which he was very sick, and I was in a caregiver role.  My new life is both scary and exciting, but I am up to the challenge of finding the adventurous me I was in my 20’s, combined with decades of life experience and wisdom added on, which will equal the New Me!”

Welcome, Kim! We’re so glad that you found your way to our community!