John Butler has always been a favourite of mine. I had an opportunity to hear him play again earlier this year: his fingers just as nimble and his lyrics just as cutting as ever. In the middle of one of his sets he paused to lament the state of the world. He named some of the great pain – evident changes to our climate, human rights violations, abuse of power, oppression of the vulnerable. In the middle of this secular music festival, with people of every age, every faith, every walk of life gathered, Butler announced, “You can do what you like, but when I’m playing this next song, I’m praying.” Music invites us to pray – music breaks us open to all that is beyond us: an encounter with the divine.
For musicians among us, may you find space to play and pray. May we all encounter the divine.
Rev Jennifer Hughes
CMLA Board Member