Sing Freedom: The Power of Spirituals with Eileen Guenther This Sunday
What happens when a congregation sings spirituals shaped by first-person testimony? Join us to find out this Sunday as we weave story and song into a moving time of worship.
Event at a Glance
- Date: Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026
- Time: During worship, with a listening session immediately afterward
- Location: Bethesda United Methodist Church, Sanctuary
- Presenter: Eileen Guenther
What You’ll Experience
- Readings drawn from first-person narratives and interviews with formerly enslaved people
- Congregational singing of spirituals with choir and soloists
- Reflections that connect historical witness with present-day hope, lament and resilience
- A post-worship listening session to process, ask questions and respond in community
About the Presenter
Dr. Eileen Guenther is professor emerita of church music at Wesley Theological Seminary, a former three-term president of the American Guild of Organists and a widely respected clinician on music and social justice. She is the author of In Their Own Words: Slave Life and the Power of Spirituals, a nationally acclaimed work she has presented in more than 150 settings across the country.
How to Prepare
- Arrive a few minutes early to settle in and receive a worship guide.
- Bring an open heart and your singing voice—no experience needed.
- Invite a friend or neighbor to share the experience.
Why Spirituals Still Matter
Spirituals carry the testimony of people who endured oppression and affirmed dignity through song. In worship, we honor that legacy, learn from it and let it shape compassionate action today. In this season that includes Black History Month, we’ll listen carefully, sing boldly and make space for truth-telling that leads to understanding.
Come ready to listen, sing and reflect with your church family this Sunday. We’ll save you a seat—and a place in the chorus.
