living into a world where everyone has a place...

We are putting together a music and poetry show on Saturday, June 15 unlike

any I've organized before. It started as a simple invitation to a number of local musicians in the area that I have loved making music with over the past decade: would you like to get together again after a few years break and do a benefit for those most in need in our town? In fact, I invited the musicians themselves to share what organization or ministry they would like to support. It was all wildly open-ended. And two interesting things popped-up:

+ First, most of my old musical colleagues signed-up for this gig within 24 hours. That blew me away. I love these men and women and adore making music with them. We had done so two or three times each year for nearly a decade before my retirement brought it all to a close. That they were as psyched about getting together again as I was confirmed my belief that music making can be a way of caring for our broken and wounded culture while binding up our own wounds, too.

+ Second, everyone sensed that raising funds and awareness about homelessness in our town was essential. Organically, I think, we knew we needed to take care of our own. Not in a jingoistic or cruelly nationalistic way as the current US regime advocates. But rather in a manner that might make a real difference for those closest to home. It was a manifestation of Jean Vanier's "Ten Foot Rule" being realized in our small town.

When I reached out to the local advocates combating homeless in our area, Barton's Crossing and Service.Net, they LOVED the idea. After all, only 70% of their operating budget is covered by grants. My old congregation was equally supportive and will be hosting the event in the First Church sanctuary. Our old sound man, Rob "the Genius" Dumais, signed on, too. And we were able to cobble together a collection of old buddies to create an evening in solidarity with those on the front line of providing shelter and food for women, men and children.

This won't be an overwhelming event, mind you. Just 90+ minutes of folk, jazz, rock and roll and poetry in a safe and beautiful setting. Mostly, it is an act of incarnation where all the holy words become flesh as we listen and respond to one another in pursuit of beauty and community. I know I sound like the late John Lennon in "Imagine." But for a few hours, we will live into our deepest hopes and dreams about how we can build a world where everyone has a place and all belong. I know for me it is another expression of what I have been learning from the witness of Jean Vanier and L'Arche. 

One of the marvelous things about community is that it enables us to welcome and help people in a way we couldn't as individuals. When we pool our strength and share the work and responsibility, we can welcome many people, even those in deep distress, and perhaps help them find self-confidence and inner healing. Community is a sign that love is possible in a materialistic world where people so often either ignore or fight each other. It is a sign that we don't need a lot of money to be happy - in fact, the opposite. (Community is where) every child, every person (knows) that they are a source of joy; (where) every child, every person, is celebrated. Only when all of our weaknesses are accepted as part of our humanity can our negative, broken self-images be transformed. (Community and Growth)

Throughout the evening we'll be pushing the edges of paradox in style, form and sound. We'll open with "One Voice" - a stunning folk anthem to community with rich harmonies - and pair it with the Doobie Brothers' rockin' "Long Train Running" that reminds us that "without love... there is nothing!" There will be poetry and silence. Jazz and rock. Cover tunes and original new music. Electric and wooden sounds. If you are in the area on Saturday, June 15 @ 7 pm, please stop by First Church of Christ on Park Square (27 East Street in Pittsfield) and raise your voice as a part of the festival.