I just got back from our parish’s annual fundraiser golf tournament and dinner dance. And once again, it was confirmed for me that the great musical force that unifies the American Church isn’t Gregorian chant, or classic hymns like “Praise to the Lord” or “Hail Holy Queen” or even “Gather Us In.”
No.
It’s “Electric Boogie.”
I’ve lost count of the number of parish dances, fundraisers, wedding receptions and graduation parties in the Church hall that have included this song — along with the requisite step-by-step instruction in “The Electric Slide.”
Yes. “Electric Boogie” is the celebratory anthem of the American parish. (“YMCA” is a close second.)
So let’s get down. It’s electric.
posted September 29, 2009 at 12:40 am
Wow… I’m glad to say we have never used this at my parish.
posted September 29, 2009 at 4:00 am
Dear deacon,
I was subscribing to your old feed, and would like to update that feed since you’ve now moved to this new blog address. I’m looking and looking but unfortunately I can’t find the new rss flow. Would you give me a hand and tell me how to adjust the rss subscription for this new site?
Thank you in advance!
Johan, Sweden
posted September 29, 2009 at 6:58 am
H, Johan! It will be added soon — the good people at Beliefnet haven’t installed it yet. Hopefully in the next day or two!
Blessings,
Dcn. G.
posted September 29, 2009 at 9:25 am
Hmmm, a song stuck in the 70′s… some might say that is all too appropriate.
posted September 29, 2009 at 12:53 pm
That’s a womanpriest doing the lead right?
posted September 29, 2009 at 1:07 pm
“That’s a womanpriest doing the lead right?”
Um, no.
Perhaps I wasn’t clear. We don’t do this in church. But at church functions that have dancing. (And no, liturgical dancing is not involved…)
posted September 29, 2009 at 7:41 pm
Um, perhaps it wasn’t clear – I was joking. Some folks have that problem until they get to know me and even then…
But seriously, now that you mention what happens at some chuch functions outside the Mass, I’ll take a pass on those too.
posted October 2, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Thank you for the post! Brightening my day and bringing sense as well as a sense of humor into the flock was just what I needed.
This helped me reminisce on the happiness that I haven’t felt since the 70′s and really help combat my current feelings of desolation and isolation I feel from my congregation but not from God.
Thank you for bringing the sense of solace mixed with joy that I used to feel while in the pew & celebrating rites of passages even in the courtyard of the Church.
Thank you for the Heartsong.