In This Together
We are in this struggle together.
Philippians 1:30 (NLT)
Dear friend,
The video above was posted to YouTube on December 10, 2025, amidst a continuing time,
escalating still, of deep unrest and lack of peace in the Middle East, a time of deep unrest and
lack of peace in so many other parts of our world, including our own country, deep unrest and
a lack of peace which often extends to our local communities and families. It’s a difficult time,
yet, as the Apostle Paul writes from a prison cell, “We are in this struggle together.”
(Philippians 1:30 NLT)
As it says in the description under the video (Words in blue are active links.) The Jerusalem Youth Chorus
(JYC) is an Israeli-Palestinian music and dialogue project raising the voices of young leaders from
East and West Jerusalem to the global stages of America’s Got Talent, TED, and beyond. Through
the co-creation of music and the sharing of stories, JYC empowers young singers from East and
West Jerusalem to speak and sing their truths as they become leaders in their communities and
inspire singers and listeners around the world to join in building peace, justice, inclusion, and
equality. Even in time of war, JYC continues to meet, and its singers’ commitment to each
other, and the power of their voices raised in harmony, has only grown.
Founded in 1956 and inspired by the burgeoning Civil Rights Movement, Uniting Voices Chicago
(formerly Chicago Children’s Choir) is rooted in the belief that music is the most powerful vehicle
for fostering mutual understanding and respect between young people of all races, ethnicities,
socioeconomic backgrounds, religions, gender identities and sexual orientations. Since its founding,
Uniting Voices Chicago (UVC) has grown from a single choir into an internationally renowned network
of in-school and after-school programs that serve thousands of students across the city of Chicago
every year. UVC offers a performance-based learning experience that includes innovative creative
partnerships and creative endeavors - from regular appearances at Lyric Opera and Ravinia Festival to
features on high caliber recording projects such as Chance the Rapper’s Coloring Book and The Big Day.
‘Standing Together’ came about as JYC and UVC brought their singers together from
across the world in a much-anticipated reunion - and this original song was born.
Music has been at the core of social movements throughout history - so the choruses
reached out to Standing Together, the largest Jewish-Palestinian grassroots movement in
Israel fighting for an end to the Occupation, peace, equality, and social and climate
justice, to offer this song as a soundtrack for their work building real power.
By the prayer is a “feel good” video connecting to this week’s theme, from
the cast of High School Musical, the song “We're All In This Together.”
In worship this week, an introduction to the work of the upcoming Annual Meeting of
the Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ, where we will need
to remind ourselves, once again, we stand together and are in this struggle together.
Blessings and Peace,
Pastor John
Philippians 1:30 (NLT)
Dear friend,
The video above was posted to YouTube on December 10, 2025, amidst a continuing time,
escalating still, of deep unrest and lack of peace in the Middle East, a time of deep unrest and
lack of peace in so many other parts of our world, including our own country, deep unrest and
a lack of peace which often extends to our local communities and families. It’s a difficult time,
yet, as the Apostle Paul writes from a prison cell, “We are in this struggle together.”
(Philippians 1:30 NLT)
As it says in the description under the video (Words in blue are active links.) The Jerusalem Youth Chorus
(JYC) is an Israeli-Palestinian music and dialogue project raising the voices of young leaders from
East and West Jerusalem to the global stages of America’s Got Talent, TED, and beyond. Through
the co-creation of music and the sharing of stories, JYC empowers young singers from East and
West Jerusalem to speak and sing their truths as they become leaders in their communities and
inspire singers and listeners around the world to join in building peace, justice, inclusion, and
equality. Even in time of war, JYC continues to meet, and its singers’ commitment to each
other, and the power of their voices raised in harmony, has only grown.
Founded in 1956 and inspired by the burgeoning Civil Rights Movement, Uniting Voices Chicago
(formerly Chicago Children’s Choir) is rooted in the belief that music is the most powerful vehicle
for fostering mutual understanding and respect between young people of all races, ethnicities,
socioeconomic backgrounds, religions, gender identities and sexual orientations. Since its founding,
Uniting Voices Chicago (UVC) has grown from a single choir into an internationally renowned network
of in-school and after-school programs that serve thousands of students across the city of Chicago
every year. UVC offers a performance-based learning experience that includes innovative creative
partnerships and creative endeavors - from regular appearances at Lyric Opera and Ravinia Festival to
features on high caliber recording projects such as Chance the Rapper’s Coloring Book and The Big Day.
‘Standing Together’ came about as JYC and UVC brought their singers together from
across the world in a much-anticipated reunion - and this original song was born.
Music has been at the core of social movements throughout history - so the choruses
reached out to Standing Together, the largest Jewish-Palestinian grassroots movement in
Israel fighting for an end to the Occupation, peace, equality, and social and climate
justice, to offer this song as a soundtrack for their work building real power.
By the prayer is a “feel good” video connecting to this week’s theme, from
the cast of High School Musical, the song “We're All In This Together.”
In worship this week, an introduction to the work of the upcoming Annual Meeting of
the Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ, where we will need
to remind ourselves, once again, we stand together and are in this struggle together.
Blessings and Peace,
Pastor John
God,
out of the chaos of creation,
out of that great struggle,
life came forth,
abundant life in myriad diversity,
and color, and taste, and beauty.
Thank you.
Jesus,
out of the chaos of our human formation,
out of that great struggle,
for equality and justice,
life continues to develop and expand,
and yet, how we continue to hurt one another in that process.
Forgive us.
Holy Spirit,
speak to us,
sometimes urging us to calm,
sometimes urging us to action,
always urging us to be,
the best of us,
for all of us,
together.
Amen.
________________________________________________________________________________
Become the Love you Seek!
JOURNEY on The Way
SEE the Face of Jesus
in All People
BECOME a Light of Peace,
Justice & Revolutionary Love
Sign Up for PJ's Place
If you wish to receive Pastor John's weekly e-mail, PJ's Place, please contact
Pastor John at [email protected] with a request to be put on the mailing list.
