Joy, as described by so many spiritual leaders and thinkers, is our birthright, a portal to our humanity and connection, a ballast and energizer to our quest for peace and fairness. And yet, joy can be elusive. How do we access joy? What is our daily, our hourly practice? Join Aubrey and Elwood in a delightful examination of joy and the role of warmheartedness, beauty, and humor in our lives, including “joy on the front lines” in this challenging, mortal world. Aubrey and Elwood hope their words and songs will leave you feeling rested, lighter-hearted, moved, and inspired.

Atwater-Donnelly

“To those who…deny the human spirit, I give you these chroniclers of its joys and sorrows, light and dark, hope and despair and say that they have but liberated what is in us all. Their dancing notes say, ‘Here it is! Humanity’s real self. Look! Isn’t it wondrous?” 

— From a poem written about Aubrey and Elwood, “The Folk Singers” by Philip R. Pearson, Jr., longtime member of the First Unitarian Church of Providence, published in his book Poetry is to be Consumed, Vantage Press, NY

Aubrey Atwater and Elwood Donnelly, longtime musicians and dancers from Warren, RI, present American folk music with unique vocals, guitar, dulcimer, Irish whistle, harmonica, banjo, and more. Aubrey and Elwood have appeared in worship spaces throughout the United States for many years and present compelling services with music, readings, and reflections. Aubrey is also a longtime Therapeutic Musician at Hasbro Children’s Hospital and helps lead a bereavement group at the Barrington Congregational Church. 

For 15 years, Elwood and Aubrey hosted a spiritual gathering, “Church in the Barn,” at their 18th century farm in Foster, RI, a community experience that they will forever treasure. And for many years, they were part of a theological, action, and contemplation group in Providence. Married since 1989, Aubrey and Elwood have performed widely in the United States and beyond, and have produced fourteen albums and nine books. They enjoy learning, growing, and expanding their theological and spiritual understanding when they create their unique church services.

“We are all meant to live in joy. The path of joy does not lead away from suffering and adversity but through it. “–Archbishop Desmond Tutu

To view the Order of Service, click HERE.

To fill out a Joys and Sorrows Form, click HERE.

To join the service via Zoom, click HERE.

Note: We use YouTube to live-stream our Sunday worship services on our church website.  

Sunday worship services are simulcast on the large LCD screen in Smith Hall on Sunday morning. If you have trouble finding a seat in the Sanctuary or would be more comfortable in a more open space, you can watch the service in Smith Hall.