singing and spirituality
By Elizabeth Perryman 12.25.25
The enduring impact of the Christmas story is a testament to the soulful introspection of advent; a time of preparation to unearth buried light from the darkness. EAP 12.25.25
Video: https://www.youtube.com/live/4BNgPcgwuTs?si=BRBltTZhGq404bFu
Newark Cathedral Basilica 54th Carol Sing #december2025 #carolsing #newarkcathedral
“Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent.” – Victor Hugo
It’s been 30 years since we’ve been back to my special home church Peace Memorial Church UCC. Thanks so much for having us Bob Mohr. I was inspired by the pastor and progress at PMC and have already looked up the blog that inspired the sermon. ❤️ https://www.patheos.com/blogs/biteintheapple/no-more-lying-about-mary/ #GodIsStillSpeaking #UCC #churchhome #goinghome
Riverside Presbyterian Church
Messiah 2025❤️
“The landscape of Messiah is a portrait of our human dilemma. It begins with words of comfort, follows the predictions of a coming Messiah whose intervention will bring a solution to our catastrophic existence, and ends at the throne of heaven.” #messiah
Video: https://youtu.be/2uPBfZLvFT0?si=Z5ioilT8JvOrw948
“Disc full, no more storage” says my brain and body after a gratefully booked but extremely intense fall from opera lead role to concerts to church gigs to full time school gig. My younger self could press on with physically intense days with the littles at their concerts. Today I hobbled out of bed with all my might. It’s more work with the brain these days to avoid wasting needed energy.
I did however have interesting and vivid dreams last night. And no, I didn’t eat anything unusual before collapsing.
12.8.25 Post Concert Dream
Teaching at a boutique elementary school with 15 impeccably behaved kids in each class. Grand pianos sporadically placed around the school. Open area cafe teacher lounges and fun tchotchke shops are available on school grounds. Many friendly teachers invite me for dinner. Elizabeth Honer takes a rocket pikachu via google earth to visit the school which had the philly skyline in the background.
Our winter assembly went well; the kids really rose. Monday night is our evening concert; 7pm NBTHS. When I first came to this school 20 years ago, our evening concert was first and the assembly was the next day. Many of the other music teachers were around the age I am now. We decided to put both concerts in one day when I came. Now I fully get energetically why they split up the concerts. 15 hour school concert days are not for the faint of heart and not the wisest for one who tends to burn the candle at both ends. Giddy up. #winterconcert #juddelementary
Our district arts PD guest had me at his golden retriever today. I’m not crying, you’re crying. From my gen X history of teacher/family/friends who were known to raise their voice including yours truly, I am sure happy about the teaching/self coping strategies I’ve been learning especially in the last decade. Thank you, North Brunswick Schools. #nbts #sel #growthisuncomfortable
“What if, today, we were grateful for everything?” —Charlie Brown
“We should just be thankful for being together. I think that’s what they mean by Thanksgiving, Charlie Brown.” —Marcie, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
“Thanksgiving, man! Not a good day to be my pants.” —Kevin James
“There’s always something to be thankful for on Thanksgiving. Even if it’s just not being a turkey.”
“I haven’t even finished eating all of my Halloween candy!” — Sally Brown, “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving”
“Gratitude is when memory is stored in the heart and not in the mind.”
– Lionel Hampton
“Gratitude will shift you to a higher frequency, and you will attract much better things.”
– Rhonda Byrne
“Thank you is the best prayer that anyone could say.”
– Alice Walker
MY TURKEY BIRTHDAY THOUGHTS 11.27.25
Shoes: more sensible; still flashy
Glasses: progressive
Hair: shorter
World: heightened
Money: more scarce
Feelings: more immediate
Voice: more reliable
Skin: itchier
Family: less around
Friends: precious
Job: grateful
Mind: stronger
Kids: funnier
Moods: more predictable
Makeup: disco adjacent
Clothes: novel
Eyesight: squintier/fuzzier close and far
Handwriting: messier
Fingers: more crooked
Mask: consideration
Whipped cream: still a no
People: complicated
Anger: sleeping bear
Worries: more
Cackle: still non smoker smoker
Sad: on occasion
Mornings: better since Elizabeth
Courage: more accessible
Hopes: abounding
Empathy: grown
Cigar: yes
Coffee: nah
Water: much more
Talent: honing
Humor: truck driver vibe
Spirituality: discerning
Love: grateful
Gay: Last time I checked
MF status: holding strong

