Jim Thomas

Jim Thomas and the Slave Song Spirituals Choir will present a program of slave songs at the Northshore UU Church in Danvers on Saturday, June 2, at 4 p.m. Tickets cost $10, and are free for those under 17.

U.S. slave songs are also known as Negro spirituals (circa 1619-1865). Mr. Thomas and the choir bring us the results of research on the significance of slave songs. Our slaves were not Christians. They were not allowed to be. Their music was spiritual, but not of the gospel. What was it and what hidden meanings did it contain?

Spirituals are true American folk songs. There were no new spirituals recorded after the emancipation of the slaves in 1865. Unlike gospel music, spirituals were not composed. U.S. slave songs were a means of communication and always sung in code. Slave songs and spirituals are indeed a fascinating body of work.

Jim Thomas is founder and president of the U.S. Slave Song Project Inc. He serves as narrator and choir director for all events and presentations. Backed by his diverse volunteer Spirituals Choir from Martha’s Vineyard, Mr. Thomas explains the special meanings, codes, and messages in slave music. One song expressed the time of year to escape and be able to cross Northern rivers when frozen, a nighttime journey of over a year. There were vow songs, and songs which said when “helpers,” “conductors,” or angels were near. There were also songs of hope in those Christmas times when families were split by slave auctions.

Mr. Thomas brings his message in as close to the original forms as possible, with original harmonies, African rhythms, call-and-response, the minor pentatonic scale, and “blue notes” that evolved into the blues.

Jim Thomas has given presentations on spirituals in Germany, Brazil, Austria, Sweden, Africa, and various locations across the United States. Since 1976 he has been the founding director of the American Red Cross Chorus at its headquarters in Washington, D.C. He has recruited and directed military choirs in Vietnam and Germany.

While attending Fisk University, Mr. Thomas sang with the world-renowned Fisk Jubilee Singers. Later he sang with the Robert Shaw Chorale in Atlanta, and the Paul Hill Chorale as soloist at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. He served as founding choir director to the MV/NAACP Spirituals Choir from 2005-’07. In 2005 he founded the U.S. Slave Song Project on Martha’s Vineyard. As founding president of the Slave Song Project he makes his home in Stafford, Virginia, and on Martha’s Vineyard.

From left are Daniel Scottgale, McKenna Ward, Director of Religious Exploration Ashley Murphy, Emily Scottgale, and Remy Beauregard. Click on image for additional photo.

Teenage members of the Northshore UU Church conducted the service today, which was Youth Sunday. With the help of Director of Religious Exploration Ashley Murphy, the four young men and women provided music, a story for the younger children, meditation time, and a sermon titled “Changing with the Seasons.”

Join us on Youth Sunday, May 20, to hear about the faith of the youth, their role in the church, and the future of UU faith here in Danvers — presented by the youth themselves.

The service will begin at 10:30 a.m., followed by coffee and fellowship at about 11:30. A youth barbecue will take place as well, and our multi-generational Religious Education Program will be held from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Members and friends are invited to bid on their favorite items and enjoy a party that will include hors d’oeuvres made by our members, favorite drinks brought by everyone attending to share at the “pub,” and delicious desserts, including Ray Haight’s famous apple pie made into his newer version — an apple turnover.

All proceeds go toward church programs and to assist in outreach efforts at several local organizations. Please come and have a good time!

Statue of Lao Tzu in Quanzhou

In honor of both Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, we’ll use the wisdom of Lao Tzu to explore the joys and responsibilities of parenting at our service this Sunday, May 13. Our minister, the Reverend Frieda Gillespie, will deliver the sermon.

The service will begin at 10:30 a.m., followed by coffee and fellowship at about 11:30 a.m. Visitors are always welcome.

Photo by Tom@HK and is republished here under a Creative Commons license. Some rights reserved.

Music in the Woods will present a concert by Paramusia this Friday, May 11, at the Northshore UU Church. Paramusia is a guitar/flute/vocal acoustic duo formed in 2009 by two experienced singer-musicians who each contribute their own flair and taste to create a unique musical experience that has something for everyone.

The performers are Ann Cavanaugh, from Middleborough, and Steve Gabovitch, from Sharon.  From flute and guitar instrumentals to folk, folk rock, Celtic, ethnic, pop, and oldies, Ann and Steve utilize their vocal harmonies and instruments to create a fun and entertaining performance that defies classification.

The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10; children 12 and under are free.

Those questions will be explored our service this Sunday, May 6, in a sermon by our minister, the Reverend Frieda Gillespie. The service will begin at 10:30 a.m., followed by coffee and fellowship at about 11:30. Our annual meeting will begin shortly thereafter. Members will elect officers and vote on the budget for the 2012-’13 church year.

Visitors are always welcome.

From left: Daniel Scottgale, Lydia King, McKenna Ward, and Emily Scottgale.

Young members of the Northshore UU Church helped serve a meal to about 100 residents and guests at Lifebridge in Salem last Sunday, April 22.

Working with church member Bob Cumming (who took the photo), the volunteers prepared a dinner of baked ham with pineapple, green beans, mashed potatoes, and fresh-baked chocolate-chip cookies.

The church serves dinner at Lifebridge on the fourth Sunday of every month as part of its social-action mission.

Click on image for more photos.

The youngest members of the Northshore UU Church took part in Religious Education Sunday on April 22. The annual service, presented by the Religious Education Program, was put together by Director of Religious Exploration Ashley Murphy.

The Reverend Sarah Clark will be our guest speaker this Sunday, April 29, for a sermon titled “Ralph Waldo Emerson: From a Daughter’s Perspective.” Reverend Clark will speak about Emerson’s life as seen by his daughter, taken from her letters and diaries and from Emerson’s writings.

The service will begin at 10:30 a.m., followed by coffee and fellowship at about 11:30. Visitors are always welcome.