Quaker folksinger to perform March 8 at Brethren Coffeehouse
Take the banjo-picking and spirited lyrics of a folk singer, cross them with the astringent wit of a literature professor, add the wisdom and compassion of a Quaker, and you have Bill Jolliff, singer, songwriter, instrumentalist, teacher, and poet, who will perform at a coffee house at 7 p.m. Sunday, March 8, at the Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren in Elgin.
Jolliff, who is professor of American literature at George Fox University, a Quaker school in Newberg, Oregon, has been invited to the Midwest to lead a men's retreat March 6-8 at Camp Emmaus, the Church of the Brethren camp near Mt. Morris, Ill.
Men from two Illinois congregations will participate. While Jolliff is in town, he has agreed to bring his skills as a performer to this Sunday night event of the Highland Avenue congregation.
Jolliff is known for his appealing mix of old-time gospel and bluegrass with edgy contemporary lyrics on peace, social justice, and following Jesus. In addition to singing, writing songs, and teaching lit, Bill is a published poet, and he has the rare ability to write both serious poetry and song lyrics, two skills not often found in the same writer. A multi-instrumentalist (banjo, guitar, harmonica, even autoharp) he is a consummate performer, whose down-home demeanor and witty repartee in concert belie his skillful arrangements and tightly rehearsed songs. One of his songs, "Laughlin Boy," was recorded by Tracey Grammer and received extensive airplay in 2005 on folk radio.
On Friday, Saturday, and part of Sunday before the coffee house, Jolliff will lead the men's retreat in reflections on the theme: "Living With Courage: Finding Our Way From Fear to Faith."
The coffeehouse will be in the spirit of the monthly coffee houses Highland Avenue has held for many years - in the fellowship hall, with small tables, candles, popcorn, coffee, tea, cider - an intimate friendly setting for listening and singing along.
The community is invited. There is no charge. Freewill donations will be accepted. The church is at 783 W. Highland Ave., Elgin. For information, call (847) 741-5124.