When asked to play an interfaith song at a URI gathering in 1998, Jack wondered what to play. What music and lyrics would people from all religions, spiritual expressions and indigenous traditions want to sing together? The daunting task was picked up by a Cooperation Circle Jack helped start, “Expressing URI through Music and the Arts CC.”
They dived into collecting songs, hymns, chants, and choruses from three continents. They formed an editorial board and joined with the Interfaith Center of the Presidio CC to publish One World, Many Voices: An Interfaith Songbook. Jack, with his big smile and earnest vision for peace among religions, urged URI’s fledgling community to come together in one voice and sing together.
In addition to compiling the songbook, Jack created music and lyrics for his original song, “There’ll be Peace.” (Jack’s song is sung here by his dear friend, Buddhist dharma master, the Reverend Heng Sure.)
Jack, a Lutheran pastor and jazz pianist, served as a Global Council Trustee. He enthusiastically expanded URI’s ability to tell our story and sing our song by leading the first URI Communications Committee.
Jack passed away in 2005, but his passion for peace among religions lives on in his songbook. For the first time, One World, Many Voices, An Interfaith Songbook is available on the internet.