Author: Hilton Kean Jones

Composer and performer, retired college music professor, lyricist.

Come, O Spirit, with Your Sound (for organ with no pedals)

I was stumbling through my files looking for a prelude for this coming Sunday’s service (it’s Pentecost Sunday), and I found this that I’d arranged during the early days of the pandemic. We weren’t having services in person because of the lockdown. Instead, we had videos of Rev. Wells preaching and lots of music tracks created by me! I wouldn’t go back to those days, of course, but it was, beyond all doubt, one of the very most productive times in my life as a musician. From what I’ve read, productive in earlier pandemics, historically, skyrockets.

LUCC Hosts Florida Folk Concert!

LUCC Hosts Florida Folk Concert!
You will not want to miss this concert!  Grant Peeples is a well known performer in the Florida Folk music community.  He provides much needed social commentary that ranges from funny to soul stirring.  You can learn more about him at Grant Peeples.com
This is a wonderful opportunity for LUCC to welcome progressive people from the community to the church.  People need a community of support right now.  This concert could introduce people to LUCC who need just such a faith community.  Plan to come and bring some friends.  It will be a stellar evening.
Grant Peeples will perform at Lakewood UCC on Saturday night March 29 at 7:00 p.m.  Admission/suggested donation:  $20 at the door.  
Here are some comments about Grant:He’s the musician walking most closely in Woody Guthrie’s footsteps-Greg Johnson, The Blue DoorHis songs are the antithesis of hooks, ear candy, and popular music…Rick Davidson, MusicFest NewsNo performer holds a crowd like Grant Peeples —  Barry White- S. Florida Folk NetworkThe only songwriter I have ever called ‘ruthless’— John Conquest-3rd MagazineA man of deeply held conviction….and cajones —  D.C. Bloom    Lonestar MagazineComedic, acute, smart… —  Marc Stern   WMBR   Cambridge MA  

Support for Humanitarian Aid and Peacebuilding Is Non-Negotiable

When the Trump administration took office, a 90-day review of programs and projects funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was issued, immediately halting critical global work and providing a window for the administration to dismantle the agency completely. With the review period coming to an end, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that 83% of USAID programs have been eliminated.The dismantling of USAID and cutting of other foreign aid and peacebuilding programs run by other agencies, like the United States Institute of Peace, is theologically and morally reprehensible and irresponsible. It goes against our values to deprive people of life-saving HIV medications, prevent research that would cure diseases, and feed those who don’t have enough food. These are just a handful of examples of the kind of aid that is provided by USAID around the world.  Join us in urging Congress to fund fully operational international development and peacebuilding institutions! While both USAID and USIP have experienced Presidential overreach, only one of these is a government agency. The U.S. Institute of Peace is an independent 501(c)3 that’s only tie to the federal government is that it receives congressional funding in recognition of the importance of peacebuilding efforts globally and U.S. responsibility to being a leader of peacebuilding both at home and abroad. No President has the authority to make decisions about or within USIP. 
 
As a global leader, we are called to use our privilege and resources to help those in need. The United Church of Christ has been receiving updates from partners over the last 90-days whose communities have been impacted by first the freeze and now the cuts. The most immediate impact is being felt in the healthcare sphere with lack of access to various vaccines and HIV/AIDS medications.   Agencies such as USAID and the United States Institute of Peace serve an important role not just in peacebuilding but global security. Through this work, our taxes help keep individuals and communities abroad safe, healthy, and secure—in turn making the world a safer place for all of us.   The United Church of Christ’s call to build a just world for all requires us to advocate for programs that provide basic humanitarian support for all, including those run by USAID and USIP. Tell the President and Congress that we need fully operational international development and peacebuilding institutions today! 
Take Action Here!
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