Hometown is a podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries and is part of the Good Book Club. This week’s Good Book Club scripture readings: Luke 22:47 through the end of Luke’s Gospel.
This week’s reflection author is a man who perhaps needs no introduction. We are honored to welcome The Most Rev. Michael Bruce Curry, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, to the podcast to offer the reflection for Palm Sunday. Thank you, Bishop Curry, for joining us.
On today’s episode, we provide background on Uganda and address the country’s current posture toward refugees. Information comes from the Library of Congress Uganda country study and from the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) landing pages on the Summit on Refugees & Migrants, the New York Declaration, and the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework.
Additional information:
US military ending role in hunt for elusive African warlord Joseph Kony
Germany Stands by its Commitment in the Refugee Crisis
Canada’s 2016 record high level of resettlement praised by UNHCR
Special thanks to Whit Whitaker for offering his vocal talents for today’s episode. His soulful singing of the hymn Precious Lord is a moving complement to the Presiding Bishop’s reflection.
Whit Whitaker is Detroit, MI native who now resides in Lexington, KY. He earned his Bachelors of Music in Voice and his Masters of Arts in Arts Administration degrees from the University of Kentucky. While at UK he studied voice with Dr. Phyllis Jenness, founder of the UK opera program and former Lexington Singers music director; and Dr. Everett McCorvey, current Director of Opera Studies. Prior to attending UK Whit studied voice at Kentucky State University with noted composer and conductor, Charles Lloyd, Jr., who is at present, Director of Voice and Choral Studies at Southern University at Baton Rouge. He has performed solo concerts and as a soloist in Europe and the U.S. His choral ensemble affiliations include The Lexington Children’s Chorus (Assistant Director), the American Spiritual Ensemble, The Lexington Singers, The Kentucky Bach Choir, New Voices Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and The Brazeal Dennard Adult and Youth Chorales.
Mr. Whitaker was last seen on stage in a solo concert performance at Somerset Community College, and most recently in the role of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the play The Meeting and as the Pasha Selim in the Mozart opera singspiel The Abduction from the Seraglio. His other stage credits include: Sportin’ Life (Porgy and Bess) The King of Siam (The King and I), Cervantes/Quixote (Don Quixote), Chad Deity (The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity), Rocky (The Rocky Horror Show), Judas (Jesus Christ Superstar and Godspell), Ken and show choreographer (Ain’t Misbehavin’), Tom Robinson (To Kill a Mockingbird), George Murchison (A Raisin in the Sun), Bardolfo (Falstaff), Mr. Kofner (The Consul) and Betto (Gianni Schicchi). Mr. Whitaker’s future endeavors include revising the role of George Murchison on the Lexington Opera House stage in the 2018 Message Theatre production of A Raisin in the Sun and a February 2019 solo concert as part of the Asbury University Artists Series.
Whit is a member of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, since July 13, 2003, where he has served as a Godly Play teacher, a Eucharistic Minister, Vacation Bible School teacher, a children’s choir assistant and a member the Parish and Canterbury choirs. Between working as an Arts Administrator and a group exercise instructor and personal trainer, Whit performs regular concerts and recitals, theatre and stage roles, and as a lead singer and percussionist with his band The Mercy Men.
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Support EMM and be a voice of welcome for newly arrived refugees through a virtual gift for friends or family. Show your support to our new neighbors with a tax-deductible gift that provides security and comfort during the first few months of transition.
Order online: www.episcopalmigrationministries.org/gifts-for-welcome
Our theme song was composed and recorded by Abraham Mwinda Ikando. Find his music at www.abrahammwindamusic.com
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Hometown is a podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries and is part of the Good Book Club.
Episcopal Migration Ministries: www.episcopalmigrationministries.org, www.facebook.com/emmrefugees, Twitter & Instagram, @emmrefugeesGood Book Club: www.goodbookclub.org, www.facebook.com/thegoodbookclub
