2024 lenten playlist
As we step into the season of Lent, here's a playlist I put together for The New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, the congregation I’m serving as interim musician.
Read Morecelebrating the journey
I’ve been on an extraordinary journey this summer, a pilgrimage that invited me to step away from familiar spaces and routines and give myself over to the grace of the road.
I’m returning today with a full heart and suitcase, having received incredible gifts along the way: abundant hospitality, lovingly prepared food, soul friendship, new songs, time in stunning wilderness spaces, collaboration and creativity, as well as opportunities to teach, share, and connect with a life-giving network of new and old friends.
Read Morethe journey of a thousand miles
Themes of spiritual pilgrimage and journey are woven through the last few years of my work. While I’ve blogged about pilgrimage before and even compiled a list of songs on the theme, it wasn’t until this year I actually wrote a song of my own about it. The Journey of a Thousand Miles is rhythmic walking song based on a teaching of Taoist teacher Laozi (also known as Lao Tzu), with some added text of my own.
Read Moresongs for the journey
Over the past year I’ve been collecting short songs and hymns focused on spiritual journey and pilgrimage. Some are walking songs or invite body movement; others feature a beautiful or thoughtful combination of text and tune. I have used many of them in congregations I've served as an interim/transitional musician and I'm happy to share the list with others as a resource.
Read Morethe pilgrimage continues: one year later
One year ago, I stepped away from a steady job, a comfortable New York City apartment, my closest friends and family, and went on a pilgrimage. Beginning in Seattle, I drove down the west coast of the United States over a month, stopping to visit colleagues and friends, and leading worship and workshops along the way. At the end of the trip I was invited for a six-week residency at a church in San Diego but very little was planned afterward. Call it craziness or call it faith, God gave me courage to follow an unknown path.
Read More