music

Sunday April 9, 2017

CZ

We have a special guest this Sunday. Andrew McKnight, former environmental engineer turned award-winning singer/songwriter and guitarist from the foot of northern Virginia’s Blue Ridge. His musical journey is nearing a million miles of America’s blue highways and scenic backwaters. His music and messages are infused with great reverence and warmth for the human journey and our place on this magnificent blue ball. In addition to his nationally-acclaimed performing and recording career, our fellow UU has devoted much of his energy and passion to causes and issues dear to our faith.

He will be sharing a special service with us called Beyond Borders, rich with themes of personal growth and challenging our individual “comfort zones”. Several of these songs together lay out a compelling and provocative look at our footsteps and those awaiting the arrival of our feet, often leading us places we never imagined for ourselves.

We would love to have you come worship with us.

Our services are Sundays at 11 a.m. at the Progressive Women’s Association Event Center, 305 Washington Ave. in downtown Clarksburg, behind the Courthouse.

Our Religious Education/ Life Long Learning Class will meet at from 10am to 10:45 am with a coffee gathering before the service. More about us.

Adult religious education, at 10, will be a discussion on applying our beliefs to current events.

Children are welcome. There is childcare and an activity for young children during the service.

The building is wheelchair accessible, with an accessible restroom.

You can park on either side of the PWA building. The lots are marked as private, but are available on Sunday mornings.

Map

Email westforkuu@gmail.com or use our contact form for more information

or write to us at PO Box 523, Clarksburg WV 26302

~

Namaste
Cricket

Meditation on Sacred

CZ

According to Merriam Webster the definition of sacred is

  1. a :  dedicated or set apart for the service or worship of a deity b :  devoted exclusively to one service or use (as of a person or purpose)

  2. 2a :  worthy of religious veneration : b :  entitled to reverence and respect

 

 

Universal Rhythm Benediction By Israel Buffardi
My friends, when you go from here know that our hearts are always in a holy place, for we are always connected to one another.
Know that deep down, our hearts beat in one universal rhythm.
May we each find the sacred space to hear it.

May focusing on what is sacred remind us all that we are sacred.

Namaste,
Cricket

#UULent

Coming Soon: Andrew McKnight

CZ

Keep your eyes peeled for more details, but on Sunday April 9th we will be hosting Andrew McKnight for our Sunday morning service.

Here is a short biography of Andrew and more can be found on his website.

Since permanently leaving his corporate environmental engineering career in 1996, award-winning folk/Americana artist Andrew McKnight’s musical journey has traced nearly a million miles of blue highways, and earned him a wealth of critical acclaim and enthusiastic fans for his captivating performances and seven recordings. Andrew’s powerful and entertaining show is like one man theatre, delivered with warmth and down-home comfort. His finely crafted songs are woven together with humorous stories and poetic drama, while the musical soundscape traverses influences from Appalachia, tasteful slide and jazzy blues, feisty anthems, rustic folk, and even a little fancy flatpicking on a Carter Family tune. While his skillful guitar work provides a tasteful foundation, the touches of native American cedar flute, resonator guitar, djembe (African hand drum) and even mandolin add delightful and mesmerizing embellishments to the show.

Andrew has performed at many prestigious venues like the Kennedy Center, the International Storytelling Center and the Atlanta Olympics, has been part of the Rocky Mountain, South Florida, Boston and Delmarva Folk Festival lineups, and a guest on NPR’s “Art of the Song” and “River City Folk” shows.

Andrew will be sharing his service “Beyond Borders” with us.

We hope you can attend.

Our services are Sundays at 11 a.m. at the Progressive Women’s Association Event Center, 305 Washington Ave. in downtown Clarksburg, behind the Courthouse.

Our Religious Education/ Life Long Learning Class will meet at from 10am to 10:45 am with a coffee gathering before the service. More about us.

Adult religious education, at 10, will be a discussion on applying our beliefs to current events.

Children are welcome. There is childcare and an activity for young children during the service.

The building is wheelchair accessible, with an accessible restroom.

You can park on either side of the PWA building. The lots are marked as private, but are available on Sunday mornings.

Map

Email westforkuu@gmail.com or use our contact form for more information

or write to us at PO Box 523, Clarksburg WV 26302

Meditation on Music

CZ

Here is a responsive reading by Carie J. Johnsen and the choir members of Unitarian Universalist Community Church (Augusta, ME).

Here is a link to a playlist on YouTube of UU hymns:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbJ32h-YpQA&list=PL6B257199CC44C6AB

May both of these serve as a reminder of how important music can be in our spiritual lives. What does music mean to you? What are some songs that provide inspiration? What are songs that provide you with hope?

Namaste,
Cricket

#UULent

 

Sunday November 15, 2015

CZ

This Sunday we will be graced with the presence of the Rev. Donald Rollins. He has served many Unitarian Universalist churches and is currently residing in Ohio. Rev. Rollins plays both the guitar and the harmonica. The sermon this week is a one-man presentation called “Thanksgiving on East Point”. It’s a story I adapted from a colleague that traces one man’s journey to gratitude.

I hope you will join us on this journey.

After the service on Sunday we will be having a potluck dinner at the home of Robert and Lisa. There will be a vegetarian soup made which will be a delicious main course. Please bring a desert, salad, or other side dish to share. If you cannot bring a dish, don’t worry there will be enough to spare.

Namaste

Cricket

Thanksgiving-Quotes-About-Family-1

Moving Song

CZ

I was introduced to Heather Jinmaku several years ago. This song, “Blessed Be”, brings me peace. I hope it will do the same for you.

~Namaste
Cricket

House Concert, 19 April 2015

Robert

SHHHHH – IT’S A SECRET!

West Fork UUs Are Having a House Concert

featuring Andrew McKnight

Award-winning singer/songwriter, guitarist & storyteller from northern Virginia’s Blue Ridge

What’s a house concert? Just like it sounds: imagine a mini-Carnegie Hall, up close and intimate in the comfort of someone’s living room. You’re invited to be a part of a very special evening, but you must RSVP to make reservations and get directions.

 

Sunday April 19 3:30pm in Clarksburg
Suggested donation: $10-$20/person (all goes to the artist’s “salary”)
RSVP: westforkuu@gmail.com reservations & directions
(931-4895 day of the show)

 

About the Artist

“With a voice reminiscent of Don McLean, McKnight traverses from old-time Appalachian tunes to contemporary folk and blues, all backed up by his dead-on guitar playing” – The Boston Globe

“The skillful songwriter’s interest in history is revealed in songs such as the Civil War ballad ‘The Road to Appomattox’ … He also works in true folkie tradition, updating lyrics to classic material such as ‘Worried Man Blues’ or reworking Robert Johnson’s ‘Crossroads’.” – The Washington Post

The nationally acclaimed Americana artist’s solo performances are like one man theatre; the songs are woven together with humorous stories and poetic drama, and the musical soundscape traverses influences from Appalachia, tasteful slide and jazzy blues, feisty anthems, rustic folk, and even a little fancy flatpicking on a Carter Family tune.

Enjoy music, essays, videos and more at:
www.AndrewMcKnight.net