Friends, it is with a full heart that I write to you today. I am overwhelmed with joy and gratitude at what took place at our
Night of Hope and Reconciliation. Every artist and musician involved gave humbly and fully of themselves, the entire room was captivated in the awesome presence of God witnessing the many and exquisite gifts He has bestowed on His children to bring light, hope, and clarity to a hurting world. This night was literally my dream come true, a dream God planted in my heart more than 10 years ago: using the gifts and skill-set He has given me to strengthen and serve our community through artistic & worshipful expression. What He deposited in our hearts (and in the room) that night was nothing short of a massive visitation by His very Spirit and greater revelation of His heart for our community. He gave us HOPE for the future!
I was also blessed to bring you some of the deepest most heartfelt music I have ever written from the albums
You Are My Joy and
Fire In The Night. To see these songs come to life in the way I had always imagined was God’s personal gift to me that night. Who can ever forget the holy moments we all shared during “Seal,” which talks about the love of God that burns like a mighty flame, many waters cannot quench this Love! The prophetic gift of “Psalm45,” the wedding song that talks about the
bride making herself ready and proclaiming with prophetic unction “GIRD YOUR SWORD UPON YOUR SIDE, O Mighty One!” And the gut-wrenching cry of “Help Me,” from Psalm 91, the emotion captured beautifully by the dancers. “The Cross,” featuring children’s choir Higher Voices and dancer Becca Lee, encapsulating the emotional depth of Philippians 2. And worshiping together to the song “My Desire,” joining together with the unified heartfelt desire to give to God all that we have and all that we are.
Thank you so much for your continued support in this ministry of writing and serving the community. The Charlottesville community tasted His goodness on Saturday night. And I am humbled to have been part of that process. I have many pictures from the night that I would like to share with you over the coming days. Here are a few to start!
- Julie

Cari Shipp Kramer (flute) and I open the night with the 1st movement of Dutilleux’s Sonatine. Photo by Maria Webb

Brittany Gilliam leading us in “Loyal” with solo voice. Photo by Maria Webb

Julie sharing her vision for this Night of Hope and Reconciliation: For the City, Through the Arts. Photo by Maria Webb

Bernard Hankins bringing down the house with his spoken word, “God’s Hard Drive.” Photo by Maria Webb

Brittany, Yemaya, and myself leading “Seal,” from the album
You Are My Joy. Photo by Maria Webb

Dancer Linnea White dances to “Psalm 45.” With bells, strings, and full band filling up the stage from the album
Fire In The Night. Photo by Ashton Wirt

Community Musicians: Bells and strings for “Psalm 45” from album
Fire In The Night. Photo by Maria Webb

Community musicians: Bells and strings for “Psalm 45” from album
Fire In The Night. Photo by Maria Webb

Dancers Sarah MIcoch and Becca Lee duet to the opening of “Help Me,” from the album
Fire In The Night. Photo by Maria Webb

The Farm House Dancers: Lauren, Becca, Sarah, and Linnea in “Help Me,” from the album
Fire In The Night. Photo by Ashton Wirt

Children’s choir Higher Voices and dancer Becca Lee lead us in “The Cross,” from the album
You Are My Joy. Photo by Maria Webb

Willie Randolph leads us in “Total Praise." Photo by Ashton Wirt