The Universalist Unitarian Congregation of Waterville were blessed in January to have as our guests Colby African Music Jan Plan Students Led by Jordan Benissan. Each year on the Sunday closest to Martin Luther King Jr Day, Jordan, a master drummer, brings his new students to our church and they share with us traditional African songs. They sing and they drum and we join in with them.
“Rev. “Twinkle” Marie Manning, Sarah Seder, Steve Ball and Harry Vayo
The theme of our service that day was “No More Excuses” – it was a service about Time – how we measure it and our place in it. Members in our congregation spoke and sang about the passage of time and how essential it is for us to mindfully distribute it towards that which brings us joy and a sense of purpose.
The service was exhilarating as it always is when Jordan brings his students to visit. Members got up from their seats to dance to the music – something not-so-typical in predominantly white liberal congregations these days. Yet, dance we did!
Amid the jubilation there was also a poignancy. Such is not-so-unusual as we each live our lives carrying both joys and sorrows; Time and circumstances dictating which tips the scales more dominantly one to the other.
As part of our program each Sunday, members share with each other the joys and concerns we carry with us. As the microphone is passed from one member to the next, and to and from our visitors, we hear of joyous occasions being celebrated – the birth of children and grandchildren, anniversaries and birthdays, new pets, new jobs, new homes, and vacation travels. We hear of sorrows that weigh us down – deaths of loved ones, illnesses, concern for the welfare of our neighbors and friends, food insecurity, job insecurity, housing insecurity.
The latter was on all our minds, as our special guest, Jordan Benissan, recently lost his home and all his belongings in a tragic house fire. A GoFundMe account had been set up to help him. Many of our members contributed to that account and continue to do so as they are able. When it was Jordan’s turn to speak, he spoke about the generosity of our congregation. He spoke of his deep gratitude for the kindness of our members. And then, he and his students did what they came to do – they played beautiful, compelling, even boisterous, music for us.
There is a healing that comes from music. Playing it. Hearing it. Embodying the vibration of it. Music accompanies us throughout our journeys. Music is beside us like a cheerleader when we celebrate. Music wraps around us like a shawl when we are grieving. Music sustains us.
To open the service that morning, I read my poem, entitled, “Borrowed Time.” The poem begins with these words:
“One thing is certain: we are all on borrowed time. From the moment we awaken to physical birth on our planet, we begin this journey’s end. Moving ever toward our destinies.”
The poem concludes with these words,
“Every moment alive, we get to choose where our Time reserve goes, how we spend it, and who we allow to draw from it. Perhaps our greatest responsibility is truly to be mindful of our Time.”
Time spent helping each other when we most need it is at the core of human kindness. In a world that is often difficult and lonely, we can be reminded of the power of kindness. The power of connection. The power of neighborly love. Wherever you are as you read this, may you know, soul-deep, that you are a blessing to this world!
“Twinkle” Marie Manning has been serving the UU Congregation of Waterville as Contract Minister since 2022.
“Borrowed Time” can be heard in full on the 365 Days of Poetry Podcast:
Those wishing to offer support to Jordan can do so via these links:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-jordan-after-house-fire
https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-jordan-after-devastating-house-fire
For more information about the Universalist Unitarian Church of Waterville, visit: