Songs used at Unity Albany
We’re working on importing the extensive list of songs, with information and lyrics where permissible, from our old website into this new one. We understand that that feature has been very useful for some of the other Unity musicians on the planet, so here’s a link to the old page for the time being:
Unity Church in Albany Song List
Music Director: Rev. Roger Mock
Roger has a lifetime of experience in church music ministry, starting back in high school days where he helped to form a contemporary ‘folk’ choir in his local Catholic parish in Little Falls, NY. His college years were spent in the Capital District at Siena College and the College of St. Rose (from which he graduated with an Art Education degree and where he later pursued musical studies). During college he continued his music ministry at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Albany eventually becoming music director and serving that parish for two decades.
Though raised in the Roman Catholic Church (and still having a great love for much of that religious tradition), Roger’s own spirituality has long been rooted in a wider understanding and experience of the Divine – that it finds expression in the full breadth of humanity’s religious traditions.
The Unity movement has been a natural fit for him and, since about 2004, Roger has been serving as a minister of music here at Unity of Albany. He brings with him significant skills as a song leader, worship leader and instrumentalist (guitar, hammered dulcimer, mandolin) as well as an ability to draw a group of musicians together as a unified, harmonious channel for spiritual ministry.
In June, 2015, Roger completed a year of studies at All Faiths Seminary in New York City and was ordained as an interfaith minister.
Joining Our Music Team
Our regular week-to-week music team is by audition/invitation. If you are a skilled singer or musician and are interested in joining, please contact Roger Mock, our Music Director, to arrange an audition (it’s not a big deal, really!). We assemble a choir during the year for special occasions like Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter, as well as other times. Rehearsals are generally held on Thursdays at 7:00 pm.
Roger: (518) 881-6411 or [email protected]
“OneSong” Multi-Faith Music & Meditation Service
In 2013 we instituted a new Sunday evening service at Unity Church in Albany. It is currently scheduled (2023) on the 1st and 3rd Sundays at 7:00 pm. Patterned in part after the kirtan gatherings of the Hindu and Sikh traditions, these services incorporate a rainbow of music from various faith traditions including: traditional and contemporary kirtan, non-denominational chants, spiritual and gospel songs, and original songs by our music team. Services also include prayers, readings and reflections from various sacred sources and a time for silent meditation.
Comments from OneSong attendees:
“I love the Sunday night service! It acts as an important start to my week by refocusing me on the holy and giving me nourishment to carry forward on Monday.” –Barbara
“Unity OneSong is a wonderful, beautiful, heart-opening, sacred sound, collective resonance, that always fills me, with overflowing goodness, to share with, through life and service.” –Anthony
“This past Sunday I attended the 11:00 and then went about my day. At about 5:00 I started thinking about also attending the evening service and wondered why. The answer was obvious – because it is so uplifting! Thank you for all you do.” –Susan
2 Comments
you have an awesome list of music you’ve used in services on-line (2014) – do you know where sheet music can be obtained for these songs (I’m a Unity minister in CA) specifically Mark Shepherd’s “Can You Imagine Being Loved” – “Yours for Free” – or “I Am Enough” by Greg Stamper? Thanks!
Rev. Vicky,
I’ll drop you an email shortly.
Thanks for connecting.
Roger Mock