We Gather Together

November 2025

In composing this month’s hymn, I attempted to capture the theme of gratitude during adversity. Finding some inspiration in Lucille Clifton’s poem, “won’t you celebrate with me”, this month’s hymn has the same title (minus the lowercase punctuation). Clifton’s poem explores her personal journey as a black woman in mid-20th century America. My hymn, “Won’t You Celebrate With Me,” asks us to find hope and light in our shared struggles for grace, justice, and humanity. I hope you will enjoy singing it.

But, when we think of November, our first thoughts are usually Thanksgiving and hymn 349. Many of us will just call it “The Thanksgiving Hymn.” In the UU Hymnal, it’s title is “We Gather Together.” The tune is Dutch and the original words spoke of liberation from oppression (the Dutch from their Spanish overlords in the 1600’s). Around the time of World War I, Eduard Kremser wrote the lyrics that would turn this tune, now named Kremser, into a Thanksgiving staple. The lyrics to our UU version were written by Dorothy and Rev Robert Sengas.

Although I focused on Thanksgiving, there are many other important holiday and remembrances for this month. Día de los Muertos, Diwali, Transgender Day of Remberance, Native American Heritage Day – just to name a few. I wish everyone a good November – no matter which holiday we celebrate.

In song,

Paul
Paul Ermisch
Music Arts Coordinator
Bridges: A Unitarian Universalist Network
Phone (720-336-8323

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