The Rev. Dr. Rebecca Parker, President of Starr King School for the Ministry, teaches that the history of Unitarianism and Universalism in America has been a history of unleashed soul power. From our founding, we have endeavored to cultivate all of the faculties of the soul to liberate, nurture, and heal our world. The Rev. Dr. William Ellery Channing spoke of the importance of “unfolding” these powers to find our salvation. Henry David Thoreau challenged humanity to “live life deliberately” to be truly alive to the world.

This Sunday, we will explore and celebrate the lineages of ordinary prophets of liberal religion who shaped the movement we have inherited. How might we offer the powers of our souls to change the world?

Last week, during Super Tuesday, my son came home from first grade asking questions about the difference between Democrats and Republicans. At first I was pleased to see that my son was beginning to take an interest in American public life. I began by asking what he knew. He explained that he had learned from his friend that, “Democrats don’t believe in the Bible.” Initially, I smiled and thought it was a cute story about some first graders and their interpretation of American politics and religion. Then, it came to me that this is what a lot of adults actually think too. When any religion becomes identified with a particular political party, that religion compromises its purpose, weakens its witness and becomes idolatrous. In this protracted primary season it can do us some good to think about the role of religion in American public life.

Duke Ellington is considered one of America’s greatest composers. He won Grammys, a Pulitzer Prize and the highest medals of honor by two presidents of the United States and one from the country of France. He ventured into the realm of sacred music and even has a hymn in the Methodist Hymnal. The story of Ellington’s rise and his passion is a heartfelt, spiritual biography that transcends boundaries of many kinds. The All Souls Adult Choir will uplift the service with a choral rendition of one of Ellington’s most well known sacred songs. In the service you’ll find out what Ellington considered a four-letter word for God.