I recently needed to go back to collect a little of the verbiage from a big grant application I submitted (with essential help from Follen mainstay Jack Donahue) to the Unitarian Universalist Association to support the Music Friendships Initiative/Follen Responds to Racism project hosting song activist Melanie DeMore in February and March of this coming … Continued
The Italian harpsichord given to Follen by Anne Engelhart is built by one of the most prominent contemporary builders, Keith Hill of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Keith is author of an authoritative book, The True Art of Making Musical Instruments—A Practical Guide to the Hidden Craft of Enhancing Sound, and he provided many of the instruments … Continued
In this post, Director of Music Vivian Montgomery reflects on her father’s life. This Friday, November 15, she is part of a concert at Follen featuring his songs. My father grew up in Chicago, where he and his brother went to all the jazz clubs downtown from their early teens. Their parents were fellow travelers … Continued
Follen Directory UpdatesDo you know someone’s name but don’t know what they look like? Too afraid to ask someone’s name for the third time and you think their name is Pat? Breeze, our directory, can help but only if it is up to date. Please take a moment to create/update your account including a photo of yourself. Start here.
by Robin Tartaglia, from Follen Responds to Racism (FRR) Two years ago, the FRR committee shepherded a proposed resolution through a year-long process of discussion and education that resulted in an overwhelming vote at Annual Meeting to adopt an antiracism resolution. This resolution declared the church’s desire to be an intentionally and proactively antiracist congregation; … Continued
Director of Music Vivian Montgomery’s Music Notes are published in the weekly order of service and here at follen.org. Music Notes for October 20: Finally, we get to hear our Children’s and Youth Choirs sing, for the first time this year! Children’s Choir will stay with us through the silence, but first regaling us with … Continued
from Liana Raberg, Youth Program Coordinator FUUY completed another successful fall retreat to Cape Cod Sea Camps last weekend! The weather was (mostly) kind to us, and everyone enjoyed a chance to disconnect from their week, connect with each other, and reconnect with ourselves. We arrived Saturday late afternoon, settled into our cabin, and had … Continued
from Director of Music Vivian Montgomery Some of you know that my performing, recording, teaching, and scholarly ventures have been immersed this year in celebrating the 400th birthday of Barbara Strozzi, one of the truly great composers of the Italian baroque. I wanted to give you a little info about all that I’ve been doing, … Continued
Last Sunday, February 9, we did a Mad Lib for Blessing Follen’s Newly-Refurbished Organ! Here’s what it’s supposed to be: When the Unitarian Universalist congregation in neighboring Stoneham announced it was closing, selling its building, and offering its historic organ to another UU church that would be able to restore it and give it a … Continued
RE-flections from Beryl Aschenberg, Director of Religious Education As Unitarian Universalists, we are often asked to explain our beliefs and values to curious friends and family, and sometimes even to folks we don’t know that well. As difficult as this might be for adults, it is even more of a challenge to children. And believe … Continued
