Geneva church begins four-week 'Songs of Protest' series
"Songs of Protest," a four-week sermon series, will be the focus of online worship for the United Methodist Church of Geneva for the rest of August.
The series was created by longtime music director Scott Stevenson in light of recent protests.
Stevenson and several well-known local musicians teamed up about a week ago, socially distanced in a large studio, to record the songs for the series.
Each week, a different UMCG pastor will connect the protest song with scripture and recent protests across our country.
On Sunday, Aug. 9, the Rev. Becky Nicol, director of communications, will introduce the series with "For What It's Worth: Stop, Hey, What's that Sound?"
One of the top protest songs, "For What It's Worth" is often associated with the Vietnam War, but is about a very different 1960s protest. Buffalo Springfield songwriter Stephen Stills wrote the song. The band pioneered the California country-rock sound and group members went on to form the bands Crosby, Stills, and Nash; Loggins and Messina; and Poco.
Associate Pastor Rev. Lisa Telomen will preach Aug. 16 on Marvin Gaye's classic "What's Goin' On?" Gaye's song grew from his reflections on the Watts Riots, Bloody Thursday, and his younger brother's three-year tour in Vietnam. Telomen will connect the history and legacy of the song to laments.
On Aug. 23, the Rev. Rich Darr, senior pastor, will preach on the song "Ohio," by Crosby, Stills, and Nash. Composed by Neil Young in reaction to the Kent State shootings in 1970, this song reflects the horror of the bloodshed on that college campus. Darr grew up in Ohio, and recalls the trauma of that time.
The series will conclude with the Aug. 30 sermon, delivered by Rev. Mary Gay McKinney, director of congregational care, preaching on Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come."
Today, protests continue in our streets - there has been change, but not nearly enough. McKinney will focus on hope for change.
"The Songs of Protest" series worship services will be on genevaumc.org all day Sunday, and on Facebook.
The church also offers Prayer and Encouragement on Wednesdays and Fridays at noon on Facebook, and music on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Currently, music is "From the Archives: Music of UMCG."
For more information, check out genevaumc.org, or email communications@genevaumc.org.