About the Author: Amanda Udis-Kessler
"Blue Christmas" services, which take place to support people struggling emotionally during the holiday season, are becoming more common. This song was written for such services. Ken Janzen sings and plays the instruments.
4 Advent Video Hymns written for the Worship Design Studio, which created its own separate videos. Recordings and videos by Ken Janzen
An old hymn of mine, recently rewritten slightly. Recorded here by the Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Choir.
Suitable for progressive/inclusive/justice-focused Christian congregations. Written for The Fountains, a UMC congregation in Arizona.
Inspired by my March 2023 visit to The Fountains UMC in Arizona; written with a very simple melody and small range to maximize small congregations' ability to learn and sing the piece.
This Communion hymn, commissioned by the First Congregational Church, Branford, CT, is appropriate for progressive/inclusive Christian churches.
This progressive Christian hymn images Jesus as healer, teacher, and prophet, and invites all people (regardless of their religion) to be healers, teachers, and prophets in our time.
Written for the installation of Rev. Mallory Everhart as Co-Pastor at Vista Grande Community Church UCC; the images under the final verse are related to the congregation, inspired by Hebrews 11-12.
A COVID-19 song about our pain, resilience, and ability to care for each other in impossible times. We were called for just such a time as this.
Written for the Reconciling Ministries Network; this video centers Pride and inclusive church images.
Lead vocals by Rev. Kate Penney Howard. Other vocals, instruments, and engineering by Ken Janzen. New hymn text, set to the tune
This was written for an Evolution Sunday service and incorporates ideas from process theology.
Swing version of my stewardship hymn From Our Abundance We Give. Appropriate for inclusive Christian, Unitarian Universalist, and other congregations.
This upbeat sending-out song or closing hymn is based on words adapted from a famous John Wesley quote.
This upbeat sending-out song or closing hymn is based on words adapted from a famous John Wesley quote.
Amanda wrote this for an inclusion campaign within the United Methodist Church and also did a Pride version of the video.
Amanda wrote this piece when churches were closing their doors early on in COVID as a reminder that church is more than a building.
A Pentecost social justice song. And a prayer for any day of the year for those dedicated to building Beloved Community. Winner of the 2021 United Church of Christ Musicians Association Hymn Writing Competition
A short closing or sending-out song appropriate for all forms of inclusive worship.
This hymn is appropriate for Earth Day and other environmental worship services. Recording and video by Ken Janzen.
The religious traditions of the world affirm that we should treat others as we wish to be treated, but too often our laws are cruel.
A Christian Hymn against Christian Nationalism
God abundant, God of wonder, God of every living thing, God of justice and of righteousness, empower us as we sing.
