Songs serve as the backdrop of our lives, and they are the emotional heartbeat of movements that have changed nations and cultures. Join us at The Well for three gatherings of communal singing with Mark Miller and Rev. Joe Lee.
Across three sessions—Thursday and Friday evenings (7–9 PM) and Saturday morning (9 AM–12 PM)—we will sing songs of praise, protest, and lament: music that tells the truth, makes room for grief, and helps communities find courage and connection for action.
Thursday evening is a broad community invitation. The music will not be specifically Christian, and people of all faiths—or no faith—are especially invited. We’ll sing music rooted in shared humanity, with an eye toward songs that can be carried into public witness and community gatherings.
Friday evening and Saturday morning may be more explicitly Christian in orientation. These sessions will include time to learn and sing Mark Miller’s music together alongside additional repertoire as it emerges. We especially hope this weekend will serve choir members and leaders looking for practical, singable music to bring home—and also offer smaller choirs the joy of singing in a larger body.
There may be brief, simple worship moments each gathering to anchor the theme.
Come for one session or join us for the full arc of the weekend.
Mark A. Miller believes that everyone is a Child of God and that music is instrumental in healing the world. He also adheres to Cornel West’s belief that “Justice is what love looks like in public.”
Since 2006 he has been a Lecturer in Sacred Music at Yale’s Institute of Sacred Music and Divinity School. Mark is Professor of Church Music, Director of Chapel, and Composer In Residence at Drew University in Madison NJ, and is the Minister of Music of Christ Church (UCC & Am Baptist) in Summit, New Jersey. Mark believes that music, social justice, and the beloved community are inextricably tied.
His hymns and anthems are sung by communities of faith throughout the world and are published by Choristers Guild, Hal Leonard, Hinshaw, Abingdon Press, Santa Barbara Music Publishing and others. Mark’s popular compositions for pipe organ are published by GIA and Morningstar. His songbook “Roll Down Justice! Sacred Songs & Social Justice”, was published in 2014 by Choristers Guild. His album, “Imagine the People of God”, is available on itunes.
Rev. Joe Lee Rev. Joe Lee serves as Associate Pastor at Mountain Park United Methodist Church where he leads the Contemporary Worship Service. He brings a deep love for worship, preaching, and the arts, and is passionate about helping people encounter God in ways that are honest, thoughtful, and rooted in everyday life.
His ministry is shaped by a commitment to curiosity, compassion, and justice. He believes that the church is called to be a place where questions, even hard questions, are welcomed, a place where grace is practiced boldly, and faith is lived out in ways that matter: individually, communally, and for the wider world. His preaching often weaves together scripture, lived experience, and the arts, inviting listeners to see familiar stories with fresh eyes, often from the margins.
Rev. Joe is from North Alabama and moved to Nashville to study music. He spent many years of ministry at East End UMC in Nashville, in addition to a 25-year career as a professional musician and music educator.
Rev. Joe received a Bachelor of Music from Vanderbilt University and a Master of Divinity from Claremont School of Theology. He is active in the Fellowship of Worship Artists, where he serves as Vice President of Community. He is married to his spouse of 21 years, Alexei.
“This program is made possible through a Vital Worship Grant from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Grand Rapids, Michigan, with funds provided by Lilly Endowment Inc.”
