UUFSMA: “A Jazz Theology”

UU Service

“A Jazz Theology”

Rev. Tom Rosiello

10:30 a.m., June 2, 2019

by Jon Sievert

At this week’s Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Service, the Rev. Tom Rosiello explores and demonstrates the link between jazz and liberal theology with the aid of an outstanding trio consisting of acoustic bassist Antonio Lozoya, guitarist Julián Arcos, and drummer Juan José Cerdeneta. Lozoya is the Director of the San Miguel Jazz Festival.

According to Rev. Rosiello, jazz and liberal theology, especially Unitarian Universalism, have a great deal in common. Neither is set in stone and innovation is encouraged. Both “hear” what was “laid down” before and build on it with the freedom to try new ideas. There are no “wrong notes,” only some that may work better than others. They both understand oppression and bring an uplifting voice of hope.

The jazz trio will perform several pieces to illustrate Rev. Rosiello’s points and join pianist Malcolm Halliday for jazzy renditions of the hymns “This Little Light of Mine,” and “Amazing Grace.”

The service is dedicated to the late Doris Rogers, one of the founding members of the San Miguel UU Fellowship and a well-known jazz singer. For more than 10 years, she shared her talent as the jazz vocalist at Tio Lucas restaurant. She will be fondly remembered in the service, which includes a recording of her singing one of her favorite songs.

During her performances, the great jazz pianist Mary Lou Williams would often stop playing and quiet her noisy club audience by saying “just listen, this can heal you.” Come listen to great music and insightful preaching and to tap your feet, clap your hands, enjoy the music, be healed, and honor the memory of Doris Rogers.

Rev. Rosiello is the Minister Emeritus of the First Parish of Stow and Acton in Massachusetts and the Affiliate Minister of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of San Miguel de Allende. Before graduating from Harvard Divinity School, Tom was a trial lawyer. He began his legal career as an Assistant District Attorney and later was a criminal defense lawyer. As a UU minister he was involved with many issues of fairness and justice. He served as president of an Interfaith Prison Ministry, which worked to provide a college education to those in prison, and served on the board of the Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry.

For more information about the UUFSMA, including our Sunday morning Children’s Religious Education program, Social Action outreach, weekly discussion groups, social activities, and Care Team, join us any Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at the Hotel La Aldea or check out our website at uufsma.org.

Our fellowship was born in 1987 when a small group of expatriate religious liberals came together to meet as Unitarian Universalists in San Miguel de Allende. The fellowship has been active and thriving ever since. Every UU church has it’s own flavor, and we are no exception. We are a combination of expats and visitors, each actively engaged and contributing to this wonderful Mexican community we love. Because there is a coming, going, and returning aspect, our spiritual community is extremely fluid.  There is a magic in San Miguel which draws us in and binds us together—both as members of the church and of the larger community. Our programming is led by visiting ministers, community leaders, and church members, so the variety is lively. We have opportunities to meet as UU’s each week at discussion groups, breakfasts, luncheons, and in various other ways. Depending on the season, attendance fluctuates between 40 and 140. Our primary focus is on funding social action within the surrounding community. We love good music, good discussion, good food, and having visitors. We invite you to join us any Sunday morning.

Members regularly post updates and information on this site. We also post meeting minutes and announcements there.

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https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/UUFSMA/info

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