Album Notes

The new Unitarian Universalist hymnbook published in 1993, "Singing the Living Tradition", brims with the familiar and the fresh, the memories and hopes of our movement. Our Oakland Church choir, exploring the new book, found new hymns to cherish, each with a unique voice and heritage. They decided, inspired by our singing ancestors, to record some of our most beautiful and popular sacred music as a joyous modern expression of our inclusive and diverse spiritual styles. The melodies and poetry both span the globe and cross the ages. Our hope is that children will hum these tunes, that congregations will take pleasure in new songs to sing, and that this recording will inspire all who hear it with its fresh, impassioned voice.

The cover photo is of a window that was installed in 1891 above the chancel of the First Unitarian Church of Oakland CA. Called "The Sower", it is a close copy of Jean Francois Millet's (1814-1875) painting, one of a series depicting common people. Crafted by Donald McDonald of Boston, the large "rose window" measures 9 feet in diameter.