Worship & Rites of Passage
Worship is at the core of what I do and where my gifts are very apparent. Shared emotional, spirit-filled worship can heal, can inspire, can bring hope and joy in the midst of suffering and pain. It can be the difference between life and death. Music is central to me and the worship experience, but also is the connection and relationship with the spirit of life through the power of love. For this reason, I believe that worship should be well-coordinated and that there is a balance of intellectual and spiritual content. I approach worship and sermons planned well ahead of time and organized thematically with sensitively to current affairs and needs. Coordination with music ministry and worship team is essential and regular meetings and planning sessions prevent chaos, stress, and anxiety.
My approach is to enthusiastically work directly with a director of music ministry to coordinate diverse and relevant music with most elements of the service. This involves advance planning and regular discussions. Additionally, seeking opportunities outside of Sunday morning worship that provide other types of offerings that incorporate music, drama, visual and spoken arts for the congregation and the greater community.
During my ministerial formation, and in the various spaces that I have led worship, I have prepared and delivered many sermons and homilies working collaboratively with lay leaders and congregational staff integrating into the overall worship service experience. I have focused on making sure that they are relevant, inclusive, and timely. I make sure that I am keenly sensitive to the needs and desires of community and not to a message or idea that I solely want to convey. I have given voice to this in the process of creation when appropriate and necessary.
Click on the image above to watch a collection of sermons and homilies on YouTube.
Click here to watch worship services in which I served as Worship Leader and Preacher from 2020-2022. Sermons included.
I have also served as a worship leader in support of lay-led services, guest speakers, and community worship experiences. I also work in make sure the younger congregants are included and integrated in the worship experience as well through delivering messages for all ages in many of the services that I have led or have worked directly in partnership with that portion of service as I am commitment to lifespan faith formation.
Officiating a wedding ceremony, October 2022.
Officiating a Child Dedication Ceremony at the Unitarian Church of Montpelier, June 2022.
As the Ministerial Coordinator of Worship Arts Production at the Unitarian Church of Montpelier, 2022-2023.
I have been known to utilize my skills in the performing arts, technology, and media arts to create multisensory worship experiences while demonstrating an understanding of multi-religious knowledge and practices. This includes vocal solos, singing with choirs, assisting with and creating collective art projects for annual pledge drives, and leading cultural services that I am a practitioner of like Kwanzaa, Black History Month, Juneteenth celebrations, Easter, Coming Out Day, Pride Month, and Christmas. Additionally, I have delivered prayers and meditations drawing from a variety of theological perspectives including original, adapted, guided, embodied, and extemporaneous. Also, I have assisted and led in rites of passage including memorial services, a wedding, child dedication ceremonies, and rituals such as Water Ceremonies, and Fire and Flower Communions.
Click above to watch a collection of my music ministry from 2020-2022.
Click on the image above to watch my debut as Artistic Director, December 2022.
