Song of the Soul

Josh Polich was raised ELCA Lutheran where he took particular joy in being part of the choir. With adulthood he was led to read up on Eastern religions, eventually finding real resonance with Hindu chanting. At Unity Christ Center in Eau Claire he found a spiritual home and community of acceptance for his practices and a source of joy and support. He leads chanting there on Tuesday evenings at 8 pm.

Michael Neely lives in Canberra, the federal capital city of Australia. His family hosted me as I traveled with a Quaker group called the Friendly FolkDancers and Michael agreed, on the spur of the moment to share the music that speaks of his soul and talk about his life as an Australian, Catholic-raised, now attending Quaker meeting.

Sarah Pederson shared her first Song of the Soul with us just over 4 months ago, but her spiritual life has been unfolding at an amazing clip in the interim. Since that first Song of the Soul she's found a soul mate, become engaged to be married, and discovered a deep, disciplined and joyful addition to her spiritual practice.

Jane Wolf in the proprieter of Silver Feather, a shop that sells Native American jewelry, music, crafts and products in downtown Eau Claire. Jane was raised Lutheran, was married as a Catholic, becoming involved with Native American and other Earth-based spirituality after her divorce. She currently attends Unity Christ Center in Eau Claire.

Julie Schmitt loves music and instruments from all over the map. From Sanscrit chanting from India to rhythm and blues, from parodies of love songs to Native American flute and drums, Julie finds riches to inspire her spiritual growth. Julie was raised Catholic and currently attends the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Eau Claire.

David Huber has been serving as the pasteur at the Plymouth Congregational UCC in Eau Claire since August of 2004. His taste in music is wide and innovative, and serves to open and balance the purely intellectual part of his character, and it's a pleasure to welcome him to Song of the Soul.

Daniel Winings was raised without any real religious faith, but discovered it himself in college, in his pursuit of truth and consistency. He was eventually baptised into a "mega-church", but the deepening and refining of his faith did not end there. A sojourn in Indonesia and other experiences broke open his concepts of materialism and "American exceptionalism", leading him into simplicity and community with the Mennonite Church.

Sharon Jensen-Olson was raised Catholic, ran away from home definitively at the age of 14, and has not found a spiritual home that seems to fit for her yet. She loves singing along with the radio, with pop and country topping her list of musical favorites. And besides that, she is Mark Helpsmeet's little sister, by 2 years!

Tim Lane has been teaching in the Music Department of the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, since 1989, flute being his instrument of choice. His taste in music ranges from chorales and classical to Motown and world music. Raised non-religious, he now attends Eau Claire Friends Meeting (Quakers).

Kristie Pellitteri-Reynolds' resolution for this year is to say "Yes", to open herself to experience. She'll be heading to Thailand this coming year for 3 months of training in Thai message, though she currently works as a social worker helping ex-prisoners transition to community life. Raised ELCA Lutheran, she hasn't felt at home in "Organized Religion" but has found deep spiritual value in music, in her massage work, and in nature.