Each year First Parish dedicates one of its summer Sunday morning services to celebrate the gift of music in our midst. Music connects us with God and deepens our sense of spirituality, and the love of music is something that brings our congregants together in joy.
This year, the All Music Sunday service will take place on September 3rd, which is over Labor Day weekend. The theme will be “Singing Freedom: Hidden Messages within the Spirituals.” Continuing First Parish’s commitments to learning and practicing anti-racism, we will hear how spirituals and gospel songs developed as an important musical form within the African diaspora and Black church traditions. Spirituals and gospel songs were both a balm to the soul and included coded language with hidden meanings during the history of slavery, through the civil rights movements of yesterday and today. We will gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of the genre of spirituals and gospel songs through story, ritual, and singing. This is a not-to-be-missed service, and we hope to see you there!