Inspiring, educating and nurturing those who minister through music and the arts



Upcoming events

    • September 26, 2026
    • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    • ZOOM
    Register


    SATURDAY SHARING

    INFUSING LIFE INTO YOUR WORSHIP MUSIC

    A Conversation with Amanda Udis-Kessler and the Rev. Dr. Peter Stickney

    Church musicians work hard to create excellent worship music in praise of God and in commitment to human well-being, but how can we make sure our music is life-giving as well as high-quality? Pastor, musician, and UCCMA chaplain Peter Stickney chats with pastor, musician, and UCCMA Director of DEI and Member Education Amanda Udis-Kessler about how they approach worship music in their dual roles as pastors and church musicians. Peter and Amanda are both committed to worship music being uplifting, restorative, humanizing, invigorating, and a powerful part of the overall worship service while also being accessible to all in attendance. Join us for a conversation about life-giving worship music that will also include plenty of time for sharing of ideas and resources among the gathered community.

    Dr. Amanda Udis-Kessler is a published and award-winning hymnwriter and sacred music composer who serves as Director of DEI and Member Education on the UCC Musicians Association Board of Directors. Amanda is the Transitional Pastor at Vista Grande Community Church UCC in Colorado Springs, Colorado (as well as the church musician). A sociologist and anti-racism trainer, she is the author of three books and a contributor to another 13 books. Amanda also consults on inclusive liturgy practices. Find her free-use worship music at queersacredmusic.com and on her YouTube channel (youtube.com/@amandaudiskessler). Contact her at amanda@amandaudiskessler.com.

    Rev. Dr. Peter Stickney serves as pastor of the Newfield Community Church, Newfield, Maine and is deeply involved in community ministry. He is chaplain for the United Church of Christ Musicians Association and served as editor of its journal “Worship, Music and Ministry” for seven years.  Peter was part of the development team for Then Let Us Sing, a new ecumenical musical hymnbook launched by The United Church of Canada.  Known for encouraging a diverse and inclusive spiritual community, he often promotes worship services that blend traditional music with contemporary messages.

    Saturday Sharing is an occasional free, one-hour conversation on ZOOM. All are welcome. Saturday, September, 2026 at 12 Noon ET / 9 AM PT

    Please register for the event to receive the Zoom link.

    Can't attend? Register anyway and we'll send you a link to the recording.

Past events

July 08, 2026 UCCMA Conference 2026: United in Spirit, Diverse in Sound
July 08, 2026 UCCMA 2026: Local Singers & Ringers Choir Tracks
May 30, 2026 Improving Congregational Singing: Best Practices
April 25, 2026 Sweet Harmonies: Church Music Staff Relations
March 28, 2026 UCCMA Conference 2026: The Inside Scoop
February 28, 2026 Inclusive Liturgy: Why and How
January 24, 2026 Saturday Sharing: Then Let Us SING! – New Hymnal of The United Church of Canada
October 25, 2025 Saturday Sharing: The Convergence Music Project
September 27, 2025 Saturday Sharing: Justice in Worship and Music, Part 1
March 22, 2025 Saturday Sharing: We Shall Not Be Moved
January 25, 2025 Saturday Sharing: Remembering Ruth Duck
November 23, 2024 Saturday Sharing: Where Did You Get That Song? Resources for Congregational Song
September 28, 2024 Saturday Sharing: Paperless Singing with David Poole
July 10, 2024 UCCMA Conference 2024 - A Place at the Table
May 18, 2024 Saturday Sharing: Children and Youth in Music and Worship
April 27, 2024 Saturday Sharing: Hearing Health
March 16, 2024 Saturday Sharing: Doing More with Less
February 17, 2024 Royalties for Spirituals: Where Are We Now?
January 20, 2024 Saturday Sharing: Singing Welcome as an Antiracist Practice
September 30, 2023 Saturday Sharing: Music Copyright for Churches
July 08, 2023 Anthem Reading SANDWICH & Biennial Meeting
May 06, 2023 Saturday Sharing: Finding a New Balance
April 22, 2023 Saturday Sharing: Gussy Up Your Music, Part 2
March 25, 2023 Saturday Sharing: Gussy Up Your Music
July 22, 2022 Sing Your Faith. Refresh Your Spirit
February 26, 2022 Royalties for Spirituals Webinar: Our Use of Spirituals in Worship and How to Pay for Their Use
January 14, 2022 An Evening with Dr. Kathy Bullock, Live Streamed
July 11, 2021 UCCMA Conference 2021 REPRISE
July 08, 2021 UCCMA Conference 2021 - Brave New World
July 18, 2020 Webinar: Virtual Choir Rehearsal with Dr. Keith Hampton
June 12, 2020 Webinar – Church Musician Check-In
October 26, 2019 Choral Workshop with Greg Chestnut
October 19, 2019 Connecticut Choral Festival with guest conductor Tom Trenney
September 21, 2019 Reading Session with Composer Diane Hannibal
June 25, 2019 Conference 2019
March 17, 2018 Super Saturday in Massachusetts
July 09, 2017 Conference 2017
October 28, 2016 Choral Festival: with Bob Chilcott, Guest Conductor
October 22, 2016 Handbells for Beginners Workshop -- for Directors and Ringers
October 21, 2016 Fall Gathering of the Florida Conference
June 20, 2016 UCCMA Reception at Houston AGO Convention
April 09, 2016 UCCMA Regional Workshop: Hymn Playing and Choir Recruitment
March 09, 2016 Kidzbeat


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