Hello ACC friends,
As Mennonites, we have a strong singing tradition that sustains us – especially when we protest together. Several years ago, I was sitting in the rotunda in Washington DC, surrounded by more than 100 Mennonites, waiting to be arrested. We sang at the top of our lungs: “From the halls of power to the fortress tower, not a stone will be left on stone. Let the king beware for your justice tears ev’ry tyrant from his thrown … my heart shall sing of the day you bring…let the fires of your justice burn…” Even after the song leaders and song books were taken away, we kept singing. We could – because we were Mennonites, and these were songs we sang regularly in our churches across the country. That shared music was powerful. It grounded us. It united us
But what happens when we gather with others and don’t all know the same songs?
As ICE enters our communities, and we stand alongside other faith groups in protest, we lose our shared repertoire – and with it, one of our most powerful tools of resistance: our collective singing voice.
I have recently learned of two exciting ecumenical singing opportunities emerging in the Lancaster area:
SUNDAY, March 8: Singing Resistance: (Event almost filled: also running Thursday, March 19, 6-8 p.m.)
- 4-6 p.m.
- Grandview Church, 888 Pleasure Rd, Lancaster PA
- Purpose organizing a Lancaster Singing Resistance core:
- teaching simple, singable songs to as many folks as we can, using the Singing Resistance Minneapolis songbook
- gathering as many potential song-leaders as possible to be present for an event so that, as actions come up, we’ll have a group of “on call” leaders who can help provide musical support/presence
- make clear the role of music and group singing as a means of resistance, peacemaking, community care, and community identity.
- JOY! LOVE! COMMUNITY! PEACE! through Singing Resistance
- Additional Information or to Register: Singing Resistance Lancaster · Indivisible Lancaster Together
SUNDAY, March 15: Ecumenical Justice Choir Practice in Lancaster:
- 2 p.m. (2 rehearsals per month)
- LiFT UCC, 540 W Walnut St, Lancaster, PA
- Director: Darla Bair, Contact: musictohealourworld@gmail.com
- Additional Justice Choir information can be found at: JUSTICE CHOIR: Start Local, Stay Vocal | singing for community action.
Not in Lancaster: You can find a Justice Choir near you – or consider stating one in your own community. Information can be found at:
JUSTICE CHOIR: Start Local, Stay Vocal | singing for community action.
Let’s add our Mennonite voices to these ecumenical movements!
Dawn Ranck-Hower, Pastor, New Holland Mennonite Church