Shared Sunday service with Joe Jencks at Tree of Life in McHenry
Sun, Sep 15
|Tree of Life UUC
"An Invitation: Cultural Ambassadors & Diplomats"
Time & Location
Sep 15, 2024, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Tree of Life UUC, 5603 Bull Valley Rd, McHenry, IL 60050, USA
About the event
International touring musician & UU troubadour Joe Jencks was selected as a Cultural Ambassador by the U.S. State Department in 2010.  He toured five Caribbean nations - giving concerts, interviews, and workshops. Blending songs and spoken word narrative, Jencks will lead us in an exploration of what it meant for him to claim the idea of being both a diplomat and a patriot. He will also consider why it was a cognitive and emotional leap, and why it is important for all of us to proudly claim the identity of both patriot and diplomat, concurrent with being prophetic voices for change in our communities. The voice of dissent rises from pride in one's people and the indefatigable hope for a brighter and more equitable future. For a healthy democracy to thrive, we must find ways to claim patriotism without the overtones of toxic nationalism. How do we do that? Join us for a gentle consideration of these ideas on Sunday, Sept. 15th.
Joe Jencks is a 25-year veteran of the international Folk circuit, an award-winning songwriter and a celebrated vocalist based in northern Illinois. He is known for his performances of musical beauty, social consciousness and spiritual exploration. Joe delivers engaged musical narratives filled with heart, soul, groove and grit. Blending well-crafted instrumentals and vivid songwriting, Jencks serves it all up with a lyric baritone voice that has the edgy richness of a good sea-salt caramel. Jencks has penned several #1 Folk-songs including the ever-relevant Lady of The Harbor, and has become a fan favorite throughout North America and beyond. Joe has performed and preached in over 200 Unitarian Universalist congregations in the US, Canada, and Ireland, and is also a dual US-Irish citizen. He has also served as a Cultural Ambassador with the U.S. State Department. For more information, please visit: www.joejencks.com
Services held in person at Tree of Life are also available on Zoom. To join us on Zoom, please go to the Tree of Life homepage and click on the blue button.Â