Spring Choral Concert, “Who’s My Neighbor?”

The Adult Choir of First Parish Church, under the direction of Dr. Jane Hagness, will present their Spring Concert, Who’s My Neighbor? This musical exploration of immigrant stories and our love song to our immigrant siblings will take place on Saturday, May 2nd at 3:00 p.m. in the church’s beautiful and historic sanctuary located at 217 Maine Street in Brunswick, Maine.

The concert program will include the beloved Irving Berlin song, “Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor,” with words by Emma Lazarus; “Room at the Welcome Table,” a Craig Curry arrangement of two traditional spirituals; and “Two Immigrants,” composer Jenni Brandon’s setting of a poem by Maya Porcelli. The choir will sing Norwegian composer Kim André Arnesen’s “Do Not Neglect,” a stand-alone movement from his larger work, The Stranger, with a thought-provoking text from Hebrews 13:2: “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” Attendees also will hear composer, Kurt Bestor’s, “Prayer of the Children,” dedicated to child victims of war; as well as the premiere of a new choral piece composed by Dr. Hagness, “Who’s My Neighbor?” and many others.

Baritone, Nathaniel Menifield will be the featured soloist for this concert. We will also be joined by Joel Pierce, piano; Linda Nagy Johnston, violin; and Fred Edelen, cello.

Ticket prices: Adults $25.00; Free admission for students and children. A portion of the ticket sales will go to the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP). As Maine’s only state-wide immigration legal services organization, ILAP advances justice and equity for immigrants and their families through direct legal services, community education, and systemic advocacy.

Tickets may be purchased at firstparish.net/concert or at the door. Contact First Parish Church at 207-729-7331 with any questions. https://www.firstparish.net/event/spring-concert-whos-my-neighbor/

First Parish Church is an Open and Affirming Congregation of the United Church of Christ, which held its first worship service in 1717. The congregation was the spiritual home of Joshua Chamberlain and Harriet Beecher Stowe, and has hosted speakers such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and Eleanor Roosevelt. Today the church strives to follow God’s call to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.