It's a beautiful column and with each reference to a hymn, my mind "sang" it. For many years now I have thought that the music is the reason to attend church, but your frequent acknowledgments of the transcendent experience of singing "the music" with others doing the same is deeply moving so maybe the combination is necessary. That beautiful hymn, "It Is Well With My Soul".... it brought me to tears at the Jimmy Carter service. My soul is roiling, like so many others who are afraid and angry these days; everything feels much like one is caught in the middle of a tornado. Maybe a good version of "His Eye Is On the Sparrow" is in order. I don't really believe these things anymore, but the music still soothes the soul.
The sermon I listened to from the Washington National Cathedral admitted the difficulty in this passage, especially now, and followed up by saying this didn't mean you shouldn't protest the injustices and help those being affected by the travesty of what's going on now.
Even that may not be strong enough. If where people gather for hope and goodness and justice doesn’t lead to our using real common sense to stand up against the coup, is it doing its job.
You reflect the very same feelings I have at our Sunday service. Walking into the building feeling the weight of the world and leaving refreshed and encouraged that my Creator cared enough to come down and demonstrate the Way and the Life...and then give up His life for me. At almost 70, that sacrifice is still overwhelming and a mystery to me.
And that beautiful hymn was my mother's favorite, too! My nieces sang it at the end of her celebration of life. I'll never forget it. Garrison, thanks for the invitation!
Thanks for sharing this beautiful hymn, which I had never heard before. I had the pleasure of reading the first lesson on Sunday...the story of Joseph and his brothers...a remarkable example of forgiveness,
As a Unitarian, if we sing Christian hymns they have usually been neutered. But last Sunday members of our very good choir picked hymns from their childhoods, told quick stories about why they meant so much, and we all sang them together. A Walk in the Garden ambushed my lacrimal glands without warning. But, then, I can't get through a Hallmark ad without Kleenex.
The first principle of Unitarians is the innate worth and dignity of every human. I think of the Mango Mussolini and his band of fascists and immediately there is a hole in my faith. Even Unitarians who have shed the impossibly magical elements of Christianity are plagued by doubt.
Patience, Jim, I believe is in order. Since this particular missive of Garrison’s emphasizes music, I dare say we are approaching the crescendo sooner than later. What we know is we cannot count on any Republicans to take a stand.
But the Judicial Branch has not yet caved. Nor should we.
Donald Trump and his administration are destined to implode-it is the aftermath of his attempt at autocracy that we will need to clean up. Always remember, there has been resistance-and it has been effective. Your choice is how you choose to navigate. I have always believed in a bigger picture-you and your Unitarian cohorts are part of this time in human and American history. Allow your discouragement to pull up a chair only for a little while. And then decide what is in your control to fight back.
On the night my mother died, one of our family friends sang "It Is Well With My Soul" at her bedside in the hospital. While I usually prefer singing it with that beautiful rising melody, I recorded a rather quiet version a few years back that you might enjoy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ie_fKMbIFs
Gary, sometimes your writings just “hit the mark” - so it is said. This one did it. Your last line pulled it all together and reached into my soul. Barbara.
This was my favorite of all time. I think of Lincoln in the White House, when everything looked dire. He said (paraphrase), Sometimes I have to get down on my knees, because there is nowhere else to go.
I’ve never commented before, but I have to say that was one inspirational piece! Thank you so much for sharing and if I’m ever in NYC on a Sunday, I’ll look up your church and sing with you.
When my mother passed away in the nursing home, I was the only one present. Her breathing was labored for a day and a half, when I had the sense to find "It Is Well With My Soul" on my phone. I placed the phone on her pillow, close to her ear so she could hear the music...and finally, she passed in peace. I had the song sung at her funeral...a very special song to me and my Mom...as it is for you and yours.
We sang It is Well with My Soul on Sunday last, as well. I appreciated this post. Thank you.
It's a beautiful column and with each reference to a hymn, my mind "sang" it. For many years now I have thought that the music is the reason to attend church, but your frequent acknowledgments of the transcendent experience of singing "the music" with others doing the same is deeply moving so maybe the combination is necessary. That beautiful hymn, "It Is Well With My Soul".... it brought me to tears at the Jimmy Carter service. My soul is roiling, like so many others who are afraid and angry these days; everything feels much like one is caught in the middle of a tornado. Maybe a good version of "His Eye Is On the Sparrow" is in order. I don't really believe these things anymore, but the music still soothes the soul.
Good piece, Mr. Keillor.
Yes, it is the music! And to quote Alice Parker, "There is absolute daily proof that there is a God because there is music."
I love you, Annie - for sharing your thoughts, just as they are. Your words ring true as the brightest bell.
Good as it ever was. As a now lapsed rock chopper I still appreciate the "decaffeinated Catholicism"
The sermon I listened to from the Washington National Cathedral admitted the difficulty in this passage, especially now, and followed up by saying this didn't mean you shouldn't protest the injustices and help those being affected by the travesty of what's going on now.
Even that may not be strong enough. If where people gather for hope and goodness and justice doesn’t lead to our using real common sense to stand up against the coup, is it doing its job.
I certainly would go to church with you. Thank you for the invite. The music was beyond words! The sermon hit a tender spot...
You reflect the very same feelings I have at our Sunday service. Walking into the building feeling the weight of the world and leaving refreshed and encouraged that my Creator cared enough to come down and demonstrate the Way and the Life...and then give up His life for me. At almost 70, that sacrifice is still overwhelming and a mystery to me.
And that beautiful hymn was my mother's favorite, too! My nieces sang it at the end of her celebration of life. I'll never forget it. Garrison, thanks for the invitation!
Lovely column, Garrison. Made me shed a few tears. I think I would love your church.
Must be an Episcopalian too. 🤗 we called it Catholic-lite, without the guilt.
That song, it is well with my soul, is my favorite too.
Love these reflections. Looks like a number of us are ready to join you for a service. Be careful of what you ask for. 🥸
Thanks for sharing this beautiful hymn, which I had never heard before. I had the pleasure of reading the first lesson on Sunday...the story of Joseph and his brothers...a remarkable example of forgiveness,
I brought our daughters to Minneapolis when Donnie Osmand performed in Joseph and the Amazing Technocolor Dream Coat.
It made the story come alive for them!
As a Unitarian, if we sing Christian hymns they have usually been neutered. But last Sunday members of our very good choir picked hymns from their childhoods, told quick stories about why they meant so much, and we all sang them together. A Walk in the Garden ambushed my lacrimal glands without warning. But, then, I can't get through a Hallmark ad without Kleenex.
The first principle of Unitarians is the innate worth and dignity of every human. I think of the Mango Mussolini and his band of fascists and immediately there is a hole in my faith. Even Unitarians who have shed the impossibly magical elements of Christianity are plagued by doubt.
Patience, Jim, I believe is in order. Since this particular missive of Garrison’s emphasizes music, I dare say we are approaching the crescendo sooner than later. What we know is we cannot count on any Republicans to take a stand.
But the Judicial Branch has not yet caved. Nor should we.
Donald Trump and his administration are destined to implode-it is the aftermath of his attempt at autocracy that we will need to clean up. Always remember, there has been resistance-and it has been effective. Your choice is how you choose to navigate. I have always believed in a bigger picture-you and your Unitarian cohorts are part of this time in human and American history. Allow your discouragement to pull up a chair only for a little while. And then decide what is in your control to fight back.
This is your country too!
I'm sure you're right, Heidi. This too shall pass. Trump and his team of ghouls will be ejected, but it will take decades to repair the damage.
Robert F Kennedy Jr. Is no ghoul
On the night my mother died, one of our family friends sang "It Is Well With My Soul" at her bedside in the hospital. While I usually prefer singing it with that beautiful rising melody, I recorded a rather quiet version a few years back that you might enjoy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ie_fKMbIFs
Gary, sometimes your writings just “hit the mark” - so it is said. This one did it. Your last line pulled it all together and reached into my soul. Barbara.
This was my favorite of all time. I think of Lincoln in the White House, when everything looked dire. He said (paraphrase), Sometimes I have to get down on my knees, because there is nowhere else to go.
I’ve never commented before, but I have to say that was one inspirational piece! Thank you so much for sharing and if I’m ever in NYC on a Sunday, I’ll look up your church and sing with you.
When my mother passed away in the nursing home, I was the only one present. Her breathing was labored for a day and a half, when I had the sense to find "It Is Well With My Soul" on my phone. I placed the phone on her pillow, close to her ear so she could hear the music...and finally, she passed in peace. I had the song sung at her funeral...a very special song to me and my Mom...as it is for you and yours.
I have always believed religion should not be about conversion, it should be about transformation.
“For heights and depths no words can reach,
Music is the soul’s own speech.”