Banner – Community UCC Fresno

Slideshow from ‘Banner’ CD release party

Posted on October 17, 2018 by Lisa Bell

Terry Cole, our resident photographer, put together a slideshow of images from the recent CD release party. Thank you, Terry!

Recap of Banner CD release party

Posted on October 3, 2018 by Lisa Bell

~ By EJ Hinojosa, music director

Words can’t begin to describe the gratitude I feel toward our beloved church and every member of the congregation. Our CD Release Party was an incredible success enjoyed by all who could be there.

In all of the festivities, I again would like to acknowledge the primary goal of the project: the celebration of God’s permanence, and the contemplation of what it means to live a prophetic life.

If you were unable to attend the Release Party, fear not! CD’s are available for purchase in the church office. If you would like to get your hands on a copy of the album, please contact Marilyn.

Thank you again, and again. What a joy it is to have the love and support of our extravagantly-welcoming church.

Celebrate release of band’s CD, ‘Banner,’ Sept. 28

Posted on September 5, 2018October 3, 2018 by Lisa Bell

Community UCC will celebrate the release of our church band’s CD, titled “Banner,” with a dinner at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28, in Hayden Hall. Dinner will be spaghetti with salad. Gluten-free and vegan options will also be available.

Our band, led by music director E.J. Hinojosa, will perform songs from the CD, which was more than a year in the making.

“Banner” includes 12 original songs, written to provide nontraditional offerings with a more inclusive perspective. The band members performing on the album are:

Michael Bonner, Drums
Adam Elmore, Bass
David Heckman, Guitar and Album Engineer
EJ Hinojosa, Keyboards and Vocals
Crissy Martinez, Bass

“We owe everything to the church where this project is concerned,” said E.J. “Christian Ed, Robin, Nancy, Eileen, Marilyn, Pastor Chris. Without Community UCC, these songs wouldn’t exist in the first place. The original songs were written to serve our congregation’s commitment to inclusive language and progressive theology. I hope everyone will enjoy listening to it from time to time.”

This CD and a book which will be available later of the printed music and lyrics are a resource that could be used by other progressive churches.

Tickets to this event are $30, which includes dinner and a copy of the CD. Funds raised from the event will help repay the investment by Christian Ed in producing the CD.

Jen Bloomer of RadiciStudios, whose artwork was featured in a recent worship service, designed a special image to help promote “Banner.” (shown below)