Last week I attended the annual conference of the Association of Unitarian Universalist Music Ministries (AUUMM). For three days at the First UU Congregation of Ann Arbor, 150 UU musicians worshipped together, sang together, and shared ideas and expertise and inspiration. I attended because music is so important in my life and in my ministry, and because I believe that music moves the spirit as much as any other part of what we do in our worship service. Most of the attendees at this conference were music directors, choir directors, and pianists at their UU congregations—not “ministers” by title. And they clearly see their work as a ministry: providing moving music that ministers to the needs of the congregation; and creating meaningful communal space in small musical groups such as choirs. UU music professionals have not always received the recognition and appreciation that they deserve. I was honored to be among some amazingly talented and sensitive people at this conference, ones who rightly have a place among the most important leaders of Unitarian Universalism today: Dr. Glenn Thomas Rideout; Francisco Ruiz; Jen Heyman; Amanda Thomas. Two moments at the retreat were especially memorable. One occurred as part of morning worship on Friday, a service dedicated to the memories of AUUMM members who have passed away. The choir sang a piece that included a litany of their names. Every name of every AUUMM member who has died was sung, feelingly, by a soloist as part of this remarkable piece of music. After each name, the choir and the congregation sang the words “you are not forgotten.” It was incredibly moving and I sat there thinking – this is the perfect tribute to a musician who has passed away: to have their name incorporated into a beautiful piece of music, sung aloud by a gathering of their beloved fellow musicians. The second amazing moment from the retreat was the Song Circle workshop. The workshop began with the leader (Francisco Ruiz) having the participants breathe together, then hum together, then sing in cacophony, and then sing in tune with the people around us. The workshop culminated when he divided the singers into groups, taught each group a part, and improvised a song on the spot. Because of the care and intentionality of building trust and community as we made music together, the result was an ecstatic connection of creating something beautiful out of thin air. PRAYER: God of singing and of breathing; God of harmony and collaboration: bless the musicians who give their time, energy and talent to Unitarian Universalist gatherings every week. May music bless the whole world with no exceptions. May everyone know the music within them and hear the music of those around them. Blessed be. Rev. Drew Frantz |
My vacation this summer included a week in Maine, and part of the adventure was driving there and back with my wife. Going to Maine we travelled through Ontario and Quebec, including a night in an inn with French-speaking hosts. On the way home we took a different route, down through New Hampshire and across Massachusetts. At the end of a long day driving on interstates, we got off the highway just over the state line into New York and followed a small road for the last 5 or 10 miles to our place for the night. As the road went up and down gentle rises, around many curves and past small houses and farms, I felt something: a sense of being home.
Something about the contours of the land and the character of the houses was very familiar to me, although I had never been to that particular town. It was subtly different from Maine, from Ohio, and from Michigan, in a way that was felt rather than known. I lived in western Massachusetts for 16 years, and this area felt just the same. I was home. We only stayed one night in that Air BnB. We didn’t have time to take up the host on his invitation to walk around the property and into the woods, where he said he had recently seen a mother bear and her cub. But one night was long enough to let the familiarity sink in. Long enough to reflect on a chapter in my life when I went to college and grad school, bought my first house, and when my kids were born. This was that place: I knew the geography. I believe that geography imprints on us as we live our lives: the natural land as well as the built landscape; the plants and animals of a place, the people and the weather—they all seep into us when we spend time somewhere, and this adds up to a feeling of belonging and a feeling of home. Travelling for me reminds me of where I have been home and where I feel home now. May we all know that sense of home, and may we open our senses to it. PRAYER: Spirit of Life and Love, energy that dwells in the Berkshire Mountains of western Massachusetts, I honor you. Divine Energy of the coast of Maine, I welcome you. Breath of Life that rustles the trees outside my window right now in central Michigan, may you bring love and peace. May the spirit of each place bring life and peace to those who dwell there and to those who pass through. Blessed be. Rev. Drew Frantz July 20, 2022 |
Rev. Andrew FrantzUUFCM Minister Summer Hours
Rev. Drew takes six weeks of time off during the summer months, and is also away for a full week at General Assembly. Although regular office hours are suspended for the summer, you may still contact Drew with any urgent Fellowship business if needed, or with significant pastoral care needs. Texting 440-935-0129 is the best way to reach Rev. Drew. [email protected] Phone/text: 440-935-0129 Pastoral Care Concerns
For support with life’s challenges, please contact Drew during his office hours or make an appointment with him. For specific needs such as rides to medical appointments or meals for people recovering from illness or surgery, please contact the Caring Team (formerly Arms Around) via Jen Prout at 989-400-3130 or [email protected]. Every effort will be made to lessen the burden on the individual or family who is dealing with a difficult circumstance. Archives
June 2024
Categories |