On Feb. 5, St. Paul’s begins our observance of African American Heritage Month, and our processional hymn will be Lift Every Voice and Sing, sometimes called the “Black National Anthem.” It’s an extraordinary hymn, and I hope you’ll sing it loudly as a statement of justice and joy.
A couple of years ago I was driving back to Austin from a meeting at Camp Allen and heard a Fresh Air interview with fellow Louisianian and former Late Show musician Jon Batiste. From 5:00-29:33, Batiste explains his powerful musical and narrative weaving of Lift Every Voice and Sing with the Star Spangled Banner. I hope you’ll give it a listen and take a deep dive this month into the Epiphany of recognizing our God’s image in all God’s people.
Photo: Montclair Film, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
