Fran McKendree: Home
"I don't know what to call it--heart, clarity, vision, soul--but there is so much of it in Fran's songs that I cannot hear his voice without receiving more of these gifts myself."
~ Barbara Brown Taylor
WELCOME! Please take a minute to sign the guestbook, thanks.
SPLASH PAGE...[what you see first when you arrive at my site]
Buffalo Lake, MN
Just returned from a wonderful few days in lovely Buffalo, MN, helping provide music and worship for a mid-winter clergy retreat. A great group of folks, and a very nice retreat center, Christ the King. It was a joy to work with Valarie again... she is an amazingly talented and animated retreat leader/story teller. We wrote some beautiful poems, sang, worshipped and heard some very powerful stories from each other. And as always, great to get to hang out for a time with Brian!
With my friends and colleagues Valarie Tutson, story-teller extraordinaire, and Brian Prior, Bishop of MN, and some of our participants.
And prior to being in MN, I had a really great trip to Alexandria, VA at St. Stephen's/St. Agnes School with my old and dear friend, Sean Cavenaugh, then on to PA for a parish retreat with the great folks at Church of the Advent in Kennett Square, and then to Swarthmore College for an evening service and dinner. This was my second visit to 'Advent and I think my third time at Swarthmore. Really wonderful experiences at both. Life affirming stuff IS happening in the world!
some pix from the Church of the Advent...
And from Swarthmore College...
WOW! We had an amazing four days doing our 'A New Ancient Harmony' gathering December 4-8! John Philip Newell and Judy Brown were outstanding as our morning and evening presenters, and our musical ensemble was truly a joy to be a part of. Thanks so much to all the wonderful folks who attended - we are grateful for your support and kindness. Thanks to my colleagues, Ann Holtz, Brian Prior and Diana McKendree for sharing and guiding the vision; to Aimee Bostwick for her creative, inspiring work with images; to Ra Ra Schlitz for painting twelve incredibly beautiful, soulful banners for our backdrop. My deepest gratitude to Lindsey Blount, Charles Milling, River Guerguerian and Duncan Wickel for the sharing of their gifts and spirit, and to Eric Murrell, without whom none of what we had hoped for or envisioned would have come to fruition. Thanks to Lutheridge Conference Center and their friendly, knowledgeable staff for hosting us... we'll be back! Also to Michele Skiel for adding her lovely native flute on occasion.
We are going over the 12 hours of recorded material, video and audio, and our hope is to have some video footage up for viewing here, on my youtube channel, on the AwakeningSoul web site: http://www.awakeningsoulpresents.org/AdventConference/ and youtube channel, and on John Philip Newell's site, Salva Terre. http://www.youtube.com/user/SalvaTerraVision
Here's a photo of the band and the banners, and one of the band. More on the photos and news pages to follow soon.
These photos are by Larry Hastings.
L-R Duncan, Lindsey, Fran, Charles, River
Please check back often at our website for updates, videos and more info: http://www.awakeningsoulpresents.org
I was at Holy Trinity Episcopal in Greensboro, NC in late October, providing music for the day with Cynthia Bourgeault. This is the first time we'd met, and what a wonderful pairing it was! She is such a clear and strong voice for looking with fresh eyes and hearing with open hearts and ears the message of the Gospels, including the Gospels of Thomas and Mary Magdalene. The day was called 'The Way of the Heart' and it was. Sponsored by the School of Servant Leadership at Holy Trinity, and drawing about 170 folks. A great day! Her book "The Wisdom of Jesus" is a masterful look at reshaping our understanding of the teachings of Jesus.
My friend DAVID CRUMM, providing, as always a wonderful web site full of challenging and profound reading; www.readthespirit.com.
AWAKE.... FRAN'S LATEST CD RELEASE...
[click the button just below to listen and purchase]
'Awake' My newest cd is available at CDBaby.com. Digital downloads are available, too, at CDBaby.com, iTunes and all the other digital download shops, but the cover art and package on this one are so beautiful, you may want to order the hard copy. You'll find a few samples on the music page here at the site.
One of the quieter meditation pieces is 'Watch, O Watch.' The lyric was written by my dear friend John Philip Newell and David Poole wrote the music.. thanks, both, for a beautiful song. Lindsey Blount sings the harmonies and Duncan Wickel is the violinist. 'Sing a New Church' has really incredible lyrics set to one of my favorite tunes of all time. Tracia Johnson, Lindsey Blount and Charles Milling singing on this one.
Click this button to purchase a hard copy or download. Thanks!
The latest McKendree Spring cd recorded in Nashville in August is available at CDBaby.com http://cdbaby.com/cd/mckendreespring2 and is available at iTunes too. Visit the news page or;
http://www.mckendreespring.com
and the McKendree Spring Facebook page for more info and photos.
HAITI/SOMALIA
There are many ways we can support the people of Haiti, and other countries in need over the next months and years. Episcopal Relief and Development and Doctors Without Borders continue to be tireless advocates for the survivors and their families. We all need to be generous - wherever our hearts may guide us to contribute.
Here are two excellent relief agencies;
http://www.er-d.org/ or www.doctorswithoutborders.org
Here is a link to a powerful and compelling story of one child's life in Haiti, following the earthquake of Jan. 12. It's from the Toronto Star's journalist Catherine Porter;
http://www.thestar.com/haiti/meetlovel
I do hope you'll take a few minutes to visit the 'news' page for updates and click the 'links' to find some other very creative and hardworking groups that are carrying on some important work. And please visit the music, friends and photo pages, too. And a reminder; While you're here, don't forget to sign the guestbook, thanks!
All the best, Fran
small photo of Fran at top by: Diana McKendree
large photo above and just below here; Fran in the control room at Teerivane Studios, Hendersonville
below by Susan Logan
