My good friend’s stepfather died a few weeks ago and the memorial service was held today in this beautiful church. It was built by freed slaves from nearby Oatlands Plantation. They left the area during the Jim Crow era and it stood empty for many many years until the Unitarian Universalist Church purchased it at the urging of my friend’s stepfather. He had been a DJ and actor and worked in radio, so the music for the ceremony was really moving — a founding member of The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band sang “Let the Circle Be Unbroken” with members of the church and encouraged us to sing along. It was a beautiful celebration of life for a man who had certainly had his share of troubles.
