The Context Engine: More on the Unity Church thing

[scarlettina]

The more I think about this gig, the more conflicted I am about it. mrdorbin put it very eloquently when he said, "...singing as part of a church choir isn't perfomance, it's ministry (well, that's the sound bite, anyway; it's more complicated than that, because music IS art." It is complicated.

pixxelpuss and ironymaiden got me thinking about context, and how, without

Comments

[nwhepcat]

I got kinda behind on my flist these last few days, so I've not read the setup. But Unity Church is Unitarian, isn't it? I don't even think you necessarily have to believe in God to be a Unitarian.

The little church-like thing I went to in Idaho ("the one church to have when you're havin' more than one") did more of a rotating belief system thing, according to who was speaking. But the Buddhist lama who taught there also solo'd in the Easter cantata. If that helps any.

[willowgreen]

I got kinda behind on my flist these last few days, so I've not read the setup. But Unity Church is Unitarian, isn't it?

Nope, different. And the main difference is that Unity has a theology which affirms the presence of a supreme, divine being, and Unitarian Universalism doesn't.

I admit to being a little uncomfortable with what little I know of Unity myself, partly because the one woman I ever met who was a Unity member struck me as a bit of a loony. Also the whole required-belief-in-a-supreme-being thing puts me off a bit. But that could just be me being a contrary UU. (And I fear this is why religious liberals have so much trouble accomplishing our social goals: Unlike our more conservative brethren and sistren, we don't seem to be able to stop picking at our differences long enough to focus on what we have in common.)

[scarlettina]

You associate those melodies with evangelical worship music (I'm assuming you mean "white evangelical", because gospel would be African-American evangelical worship music) and you're uncomfortable with that type of evangelism. Do I have that right?

Yes.

I don't bring this up to belittle your discomfort, by the way, just to clarify.

I understood that, but thank you for the explicit clarification.

I also think about this in terms of my job . . . I'm performing a service on their behalf.

Not a bad comparison and one I will bear in mind. Thank you!

[kyooverse]

I think your context engine may be wrongheaded. :)

Singing about Unity is not about art, ministry or even music, but sales, exposure, butts in chairs.

However, Erin, although I really enjoy her, was not very sensitive to our chorus. I think the relationship between her and our director may have superseded it. Last year, I attempted to be the liason and she never got back in touch with me. But, had she, I would have done a better job of getting her to understand how to speak to us. Her personality, in general, many would find overbearing, however, with edits and considerations here and there, the whole thing could have been a lot less painful. (I had a moment where I wanted to "kill it" -- which is phrasing Rye and I came up to describe the way Josalyn gets towards leaves and, well, you know how cats are.)

That's my opinion anyway...

[scarlettina]

Wrongheaded? I'm not sure about that. Oversensitized, maybe. Or incorrectly calibrated for this situation. Perhaps I went into the situation with too little information to properly feed the context engine, which would suggest a need for better communication from the top down in the chorus. Or a better read on the environment by myownself. Or maybe I'm just overthinking this entire thing. It wouldn't be the first time I've done that.

had a moment where I wanted to "kill it" -- which is phrasing Rye and I came up to describe the way Josalyn gets towards leaves and, well, you know how cats are...

Yep, I know what you mean. ::wry grin::

[scarlettina]

Singing about Unity is not about art, ministry or even music, but sales, exposure, butts in chairs.

A sales tool, yes, absolutely. And that's something I need to bear in mind. In the light of morning, this fact leapt out at me as I reread your response here. Perhaps, in the end, that's the one key thing I really do need to remember. I'm there to sell tickets. Here's hoping.

[kyooverse]

You better be glad I know you are a Cancer, Sister!

*hugs you*

And yep... I mean, I liked the vibe enough that I may consider having it as a spiritual home (*shakes head* ... what the fuck am I saying???), but that's why we're doing it.

*sighs*

I got enough sleep not to be tired at work... but that doesn't stop the boredom monster.