A Litany on "Be Dissatisfied"

On Tuesday, April 20, 2021, a Multifaith Prayer Vigil gathered at George Floyd Square following the reading of the thrice guilty verdict of Derek Chauvin in the murder of George Floyd.  It ended with a Benediction by the Rev. DeWayne Davis, excerpted here.  

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The whole Benediction is embedded below.  Thank you, Minnesota Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Alliance (MUUSJA), for capturing the whole thing.  

The "Be dissatisfied" line resonated with me so powerfully.  I wrote to my pastor colleague when I got back to my car, pondering aloud how it might show up in worship on Sunday.  He mentioned his sermon or benediction and also encouraged what might show up for me.  The next morning a draft of this poured forth.  

--
With the death of beloved children of God,
     Be dissatisfied!

Read My Grandmother's Hands: Spring-Summer 2021

We're facilitating a book read of Resmaa Menakem's My  Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies*, with Music that Makes Community this spring-summer.

If you've read our Reflection for the UCC Musician's Association, then you know how transformative this book is.

Would you like join us?  

Here's the overview:

Spring 2021 Heart Song Dates!

What: Heart Songs: Lament, Longing, & Love (a community space for you to bring your heart and your voice)
When: alternating Mondays, 6:30-8p CDT (05-UTC)

• April 12 & 26
• May 10 & 24

Where: Online: https://zoom.us/j/431161455 (see call-in options below)

Gather for an informal singing time to re-center our hearts in community. Simple songs will be led paperlessly/taught by ear by Conie Borchardt, other song leaders, and you, if you have a song to share.

Join us. Bring friends. (Signup for the email reminder here; select Heart Songs)

Songs will be about the human experience and in that way, spiritual in nature, but not specifically religious.

This is a space intended for self-care, however that shifts for you in every moment. Bring water. Come and go. Sit in a chair, lie on the floor, or stand as you need to.


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Other Zoom options:
Meeting ID: 431 161 455

Apr 16: Midwest Mixed Special Edition Dialogue: Freeing Refrains

It's here!  Freeing Refrains is here!

What:  the premiere of Freeing Refrains, as a Special Edition Dialogue of Midwest Mixed!
When:  Friday, April 16, 5-7p
Where: on zoom!  Register here.  
For WHO:  any folks who identify or have experiences as mixed, biracial, multi-ethnic, and/or trans-racially or trans-nationally adoptee*. 

Conie B and Sheryl Raygor are co-facilitating this Special Edition Dialogue space in partnership with Midwest Mixed.  During this event you will be hearing about Conie's rural mixed Asian story, learn songs that have bouyed her (if you'd like), and then dialogue with others about the challenge of speaking our truth.  Open to all mixed folks.  

Come and listen, sing, and dialogue with others with similar and different mixed stories.

(*don't fret if you don't fit the Mixed audience!  We'll be scheduling more of these participatory performances soon.  Watch the calendar and subscribe to "Freeing Refrains" Updates in the Newsletter.