Storyteller, songwriter and banjoist Bill Gordh returns to Union Chapel in the Grove this weekend for the annual Children’s Service. This is a favorite of the young children who participate, their parents and grandparents, and all who are young in spirit.
Gordh’s theme is “Taking Care”. All are welcome to join the interdenominational service outdoors in the shady grove on Sunday, June 27 at 10:30 AM.
A joyful service
“The marvelous thing is the opportunity to design the whole service,” Gordh said about creating the program for Union Chapel. “I can shift things to reflect what I have learned by working with children and families for many years.”
Starting with a passage from Genesis, Gordh selects short proverbs that speak to the theme of taking care.
“Instead of one story, I use several, each offering a different perspective,” he said. “It offers me the challenge and opportunity to create a new song. It’s a joy.”
This year’s proverbs are Swedish, Cheyenne, East African, Indian, Ecuadorean, and Mexican. Two folktales are included along with the biblical story of Ruth and Naomi. Lyrics from Gordh’s new song sum up the theme:
So nice you’re thinking of others
Treating everyone like sisters and brothers
Making sure we’re feeling good as good can be
But sometimes I think you forget to see
You gotta take care of yourself
Before you take care of everyone else.
The children will also 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
Performing at Union Chapel is especially meaningful for Gordh, in a bittersweet way. His wife, Jennifer Lewis, a ceramics artist, died in September 2018. She loved accompanying him to Shelter Island, delighting in the people, shops and restaurants and Children’s Sunday at the Chapel.
“It was one of Jenny’s favorite events, so continuing the service is special in yet another way,” he said.
Gordh has a BA in Philosophy from Duke University, and an MFA in Theatre Directing from NYU Tisch School of the Arts. He’s an adjunct at Queens College Graduate School of Library and Information Studies, and Mahattanville College School of Education. His grandfathers were ministers. His father, George, was a chaplain and professor of Philosophy and Religion at Hollins University in Virginia.
Director of Expressive Arts and Director of Chapel at the Episcopal School in Manhattan, Gordh leads weekly gatherings for families there. He is author of “Building a Children’s Chapel: One Story at a Time” (2007). The follow-up volume, “Making Room for Everyone: More Stories for Building a Children’s Chapel” (2020), includes songs he composed for Union Chapel.
Gordh has led classes at the General Theological and Union Theological seminaries. He has appeared as keynote or featured speaker at many conferences. He’s also a consultant at B’nai Jeshurun Synagogue and the Lower School at Manhattan’s Trinity School. He’s been a participant in numerous festivals, including the Tribeca Film Festival, and was also featured storyteller at the White House Easter Egg Roll.
When the banjo thumped
Gordh recalled a memorable flub from his debut for the New York Philharmonic Young People’s Concert in 2005.
“Before the program started, I placed my banjo on its stand on the stage. Knowing that the strings would sound in response to the orchestra’s playing, I put one of my daughter’s baby socks around them. The hall was full and I was quite nervous when I walked onstage after the orchestra was seated.”
“I sat through the overture. When it was completed, I stood, picked up my banjo and moved downstage towards the audience. I started to play.”
But his banjo just thumped.
“I looked down and saw that I had forgotten to remove the sock,” he said. “I considered running away. Luckily I didn’t. I just laughed and threw the sock over my shoulder. The banjo sounded fine and the story began. Some kids said later that was one of their favorite parts!”
Bill Gordh at Union Chapel
You can find Gordh’s stories and songs on audible.com; his YouTube channel is home to 200 stories — become a subscriber by following this link.
Please join Union Chapel for the Children’s Service with Bill Gordh on Sunday, June 27 at 10:30 AM. Bring a blanket or chair. In case of inclement weather, the service will move indoors.
And don’t forget, take care of yourself!
JoAnn Kirkland is assistant to the Board of Trustees of the nonprofit Union Chapel in the Grove, a seasonal community chapel that presents an inspiring variety of guest preachers. Learn more about the historic chapel at unionchapelinthegrove.org.
