Storyteller, songwriter, and banjoist Bill Gordh returns to Union Chapel in the Grove to lead the annual Children’s Service, a favorite of children and all who are young at heart.
Join the interdenominational service on Sunday, June 25 at 10:30 AM in the sun-dappled Grove. This year’s theme is “We Can Be the Light,” also the title of his original song for the service.
“Soon after last year’s Children’s Service, the idea of ‘light’ as the theme arrived and persisted,” said Gordh, who chooses a different theme every year for the popular service.
The song’s first verse sums up the theme:
When there is darkness all around
We can be the Light
And when the road cannot be found
We can be the Light
Gordh’s process includes searching through books of proverbs from different cultures, finding songs, and asking poet and pastor friends about Scripture passages based on his theme.
Starting with a passage from Genesis, he selected short proverbs. “Instead of one story, I use several, each offering a different perspective,” he said.
This year’s proverbs are Cuban, East Africa, India, and Sweden. Also included are Iroquois and Jewish folktales, two traditional African-American songs, a “golden oldie” that grandparents are sure to recognize, a story from the Bible, and a well-loved poem from Shel Silverstein.
In addition, the children will hold candles and sing “This Little Light of Mine.”
“Families singing and listening to stories together can mutually enrich each other’s understanding of the ideas and feelings expressed,” Gordh said.
About Bill Gordh
Gordh has a BA in Philosophy from Duke University and an MFA in Theatre Directing from NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Director of Expressive Arts and Chapel at the Episcopal School in Manhattan, he’s also an adjunct professor at Queens College Graduate School of Library and Information Studies and Manhattanville College School of Education.
Gordh has published two books: “Building a Children’s Chapel: One Story at a Time” (2007) and “Making Room for Everyone: More Stories for Building a Children’s Chapel” (2020), which include songs he composed for Union Chapel.
He also led classes at the General Theological and Union Theological seminaries and is a consultant at B’nai Jeshurun Synagogue and the Lower School at Manhattan’s Trinity School.
You can find Gordh’s stories and songs on audible.com; his YouTube channel has 200 posts — become a subscriber by following this link.
His most recent project is a podcast with the World Music Institute, “WMI FolkTales Set to Music From Around the Globe.” As storytelling host, Gordh tells a folktale from his guest musician’s tradition; the musician accompanies the story with musical instruments from the story’s home.
These podcasts include tales from Ireland with Seamus Egan on whistle, from India with Saraswathi Ranganathan on the veena, from Brazil with percussionist Cyro Baptista and from Columbia with harpist Edmar Castaneda.
Attend the Children’s Service
Please join us at Union Chapel for the Children’s Service with Bill Gordh on Sunday, June 26 at 10:30 AM. Bring a blanket or chair. A reception catered by STARS CAFE follows the service. In case of inclement weather, we will move indoors.
Next week: Celebrating 100 years of the Shelter Island Historical Society, featuring SIHS President John D’Amato on Sunday, July 3 at 10:30 AM. The Sweet Island Dulcimers will perform music under the direction of Linda Betjeman.
JoAnn Kirkland assists the trustees of Union Chapel in the Grove. Learn more about the historic chapel, celebrating its 150th anniversary, at unionchapelinthegrove.org.
