This playlist was selected by Russ Otto, web developer, inspired by the November issue of Messenger.
To listen to the Spotify list, you will need to create a (free) account.
Spotify playlist
YouTube playlist
The music chosen to accompany the November cover story about the World Council of Churches 11th Assembly is “Appreciation” by King Sunny Adé. Otto notes, “King Sunny Adé helped bring African pop music to an international audience. His blend of styles from around the world symbolizes the unity of God’s people throughout the world. Appreciation is a song written mostly in the Yoruba language of West Africa, proclaiming thanks to God and calling us to dance as an expression of thanksgiving to God.”
To accompany “The Exchange” page:
“Boundless Love” – John Prine
“Confound me with your boundless love”
Based on the Bible study, “Wisdom in the church”:
“Inspirit” – Julianna Barwick
“Open your heart / It’s in your head”
Inspired by the harvest/gardening articles:
“Ode to an African Violet” – Mort Garson
Instrumental, from Plantasia: Warm earth music for plants and the people who love them
Based on “The threat of nonviolence”:
“If I Had A Hammer” – The Staple Singers
“It’s the hammer of justice
It’s the bell of freedom
It’s the song about love between
My brothers and my sisters
All over this land”
To accompany “The case for gun reform”:
“We Got To Have Peace” – Curtis Mayfield
“Give us all an equal chance
It could be such a sweet romance
And the soldiers who are dead and gone
If only we could bring back one
He’d say, ‘We got to have peace
To keep the world alive
And war to cease
We got to have peace'”
The full November issue of Messenger is only available to subscribers.
What music would you add? Send an email to messenger@brethren.org to make comments or suggestions.
Would you like to curate a playlist for a future issue of Messenger? Let us know at messenger@brethren.org.