Music with a Mission features Reverend Betty Stookey and Noel Paul Stookey in a multi-faith presentation

On Saturday, October 13th at 7 p.m., the Reverend Betty Stookey and Noel Paul Stookey will appear at the North Windham Union Church. 'One Light, Many Candles' is a multi-faith program in word and song reflecting the diversity and integrity of individual faith seeking a global spiritual community. Elizabeth and Noel Paul Stookey have been working together for over 50 years, as husband and wife, as parents, as business partners and activists, and as two people constantly questioning how the spiritual informs the day-to-day realities of life-in both a small personal way and a larger global way.

Noel is a singer-songwriter and the “Paul” of Peter, Paul and Mary. He has been writing songs that reflect on the political, cultural, sociopolitical and spiritual dynamics of all our collected stories for decades. Betty is an ordained minister who has ministered and counseled many, including, as chaplain of a school, over a thousand students of many faiths ranging from Buddhist and Christian, to Muslim and Jewish.

Betty’s work as minister/chaplain and Noel’s talent as a singer-songwriter come together now in a mutual multi-faith vision. Believing that no one religion can ‘own’ God, that God has many names, and that each person’s path is a valid one, Betty and Noel bring to their performance the belief that religious faith which is based on love assumes unity and that when we expand our spiritual comfort zones, we are opening a path to understanding and peace.

“We are very proud to welcome Betty and Noel Paul Stookey as our headliner to close out our sixth season for Music with a Mission,” said Dr. Richard Nickerson, Minister of Music for NWUC. “Noel Paul Stookey is a true national treasure.  For over 40 years he and Betty have made their home in Blue Hill, Maine and delighted audiences across the country. Their message of tolerance, diversity and respect for fellow humans is more relevant now than ever.” Please note - this is a multi-faith presentation. It is NOT a Noel Paul Stookey concert.

The Music with a Mission concert series is sponsored by the North Windham Union Church, which donates a portion of the proceeds to area non-profits.  After six years of hosting concerts, MWAM has provided almost $60,000 for mission support to the church and other community organizations. The community proceeds from this show will go to support the Maine Council of Churches. Representing seven denominations, the Council works with partner organizations, volunteers and parishioners in 550 churches throughout the state. Rooted in the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures, their mission is to inspire congregations and persons of faith to unite in good works that build a culture of justice, compassion and peace.

Tickets will be sold at the door and are $20 for all seats.  Tickets are also available in advance on-line at www.mwamconcerts.com and through the church office from 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Thursday.  The box office opens at 6 p.m. and the doors will open at 6:30. The North Windham Union Church is located at 723 Roosevelt Trail in Windham.  For more information please call 892-6142 or email MWAMconcerts@gmail.com.