Let Us Wander Where We Wander:

A Ministry of Music and Arts In Unitarian Universalist Congregations

by Kenneth P. Langer

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The church was once the place where great art was commissioned, performed, and displayed but Unitarian Universalist churches grew out of the Reformation. The Protestants wanted simple services with little embellishment and that was the tradition the Puritans brought to America. That tradition influenced UU liturgy well into the twentieth century but the times they are a-changin’. While reason may have been the driving force in the formation of early UU churches, many people of this age desire a spirituality that is embodied. They want to express themselves emotionally as well as intellectually. They want to experience revelation in beauty as well as in words. They want to engage the sacred with all their senses as well as with their minds.

It is time to renew the important relationship between the church and the arts. The arts are a vital way for a church to further its mission with its members, friends, and community. This work explores how all the arts can become part of a vibrant church and deepen its commitment to beauty and meaning, spiritual growth and healing, and social justice through a dedicated ministry of music and arts.

  • ISBN: 978-1-949464-17-7

  • Publication Date:

  • Retail Price: $ 15.99

  • E-book Price: $ 4.99

  • Edition: First

  • Pages:

  • Illustrations:

  • Binding: Perfect

  • Features:

    • Suggestions on ways to incorporate the arts into service and church life.

    • Interviews with directors of music and arts programs.

    • Assessments of your current program and plans for the arts.

    • Information on starting an art gallery.

Contents:

Introduction

    • Why I Wrote This Book

    • A Look Ahead

Chapter One: The Meaning Of Art

    • The Many Forms of Art

    • A History of the Arts in Church

      • The Rise of the Catholic Church and its Art

      • Early Church Music and Theater

      • The Golden Age of Catholic Art

      • The Age of Reform

      • Puritan Art

      • The Puritan Legacy

    • Why the Church Should Support the Arts

    • Unitarian Universalism and the Arts

      • The Mystery of Creativity

      • Arts In a Liberal Age

      • The UU Seven Artistic Principles

      • The Different Roles of the Arts in Church

Chapter Two: The Arts in Church

    • Arts In the Service

      • The Sermon

      • Other Parts of the Service

      • Special Services

    • Arts In the Building

      • The Art Gallery

    • Arts On the Grounds

    • Arts In the Community

Chapter Three: The Arts as Spiritual Practice

    • The Written Word as Spiritual Practice

    • The Image as Spiritual Practice

    • Making Objects as Spiritual Practice

    • Music as Spiritual Practice

    • Dramatics as Spiritual Practice

    • Movement as Spiritual Practice

Chapter Four: A Ministry of the Arts

    • Community Outreach

    • Healing Outreach

    • Social Justice Outreach

      • A History of Art in Protest

      • A Process for Protest Art

Chapter Five: Developing an Arts Ministry

    • Starting a Music and Arts Ministry

      • Assessment

      • The Current Condition

      • Mission and Goals

      • Building Community

      • The Objectives

      • The Arts Collective

      • The Art Gallery

      • The Launch

    • Staffing the Ministry

    • The Ministry Budget

      • Possible Arts Ministry Budget Expenditures

      • Possible Arts Ministry Income

    • Maintaining the Ministry

      • Sustainability

      • Legal Considerations

Chapter Six: Unitarian Universalist Art Programs

    • Church Programs

      • The UU Church of Las Cruces

      • The UU Fellowship of Door County

      • The Treasure Coast UU Fellowship

    • Interviews

      • Jennifer Hayman

      • Laura Weiss

Appendices