A Look Back: Un(mass)itarian Festival of 1980
by Ed Busch
This week, I realized that the UU Lansing Archives Blog has officially turned one! My first post, published on March 11, 2024, explored the Flaming Chalice artwork by Edith Hazard Wright—fondly known as ‘the Egg.’ When I started this blog, I expected to post once or twice a month, but I’ve managed a steady three to four posts per month. So, happy anniversary to the blog—and here’s to another year of uncovering and sharing our history!
In April 1980, UU Lansing hosted a two-part Easter celebration unlike any other. Led by Rev. Denise Tracy, the series, titled “e.e. cummings – sense and (non)sense,” explored the theology and poetry of the renowned poet and artist—who was also the son of a Unitarian minister.
The first service, held on April 6, delved into cummings’ unconventional perspective on faith, life, and creativity. As Rev. Tracy explained in a Lansing State Journal article, cummings embraced the ideas of life, recreation, and (non)sense—offering a playful yet profound take on spirituality.
UU Lansing ad in Lansing State Journal on April 5, 1980.
Page 2 from the Order of Service on April 6, 1980. Full PDF of the OOS available.
The celebration culminated on April 13 with the Un(mass)itarian Festival, an innovative musical experience conceived by Southfield artist Darrell Eubank. Inspired by cummings’ poetry, the performance reimagined the traditional Christian Mass as a journey of self-discovery and emotional surrender. “The theology central to the Christian Eucharist is salvation through faith in the sacrifice of the lamb,” Eubank explained. “This becomes, in the e.e. cummings transformation, fulfillment through surrender to one’s own feelings.”
Directed by MSU music student Daniel Weymouth, the festival featured a 20-piece orchestra, the UU Lansing choir, and solo performances by Kay Hickey (soprano), Denise Tracy (soprano), Phillip Brown (baritone), and Bill Wells (tenor). The event was a bold fusion of poetry, music, and spiritual reflection—one that still resonates today.
UU Lansing ad in Lansing State Journal on April 12, 1980.
Page 2 from the Order of Service on April 13, 1980. Full PDF of the OOS available.
e.e. cummings and Unitarianism
e.e. cummings’ upbringing in a Unitarian household shaped his belief in individual expression, nonconformity, and the sacredness of everyday life. His poetry often rejected rigid structures—both in language and in thought—mirroring the Unitarian Universalist emphasis on questioning dogma and embracing diverse perspectives. Cummings celebrated the inherent worth and dignity of every person, a core UU principle, and encouraged readers to approach life with curiosity, joy, and a sense of wonder. His work, filled with playfulness, love, and a deep reverence for nature, aligns with UU values of creativity, free thought, and spiritual exploration.
Watch the Performance!
The April 13 service was recorded and is available to watch on YouTube.
Image from the 1980 video.
Do You Remember This Event?
Were you at UU Lansing in 1980? We’d love to hear your memories of the Un(mass)itarian Festival and this unique celebration. If you recall this service or can reflect upon it after watching the video, how did the Un(mass) service feel compared to a traditional UU service? How have creative expressions like this shaped your spiritual experience at UU Lansing?
I will be continuing next week with information about some more recent performances of e e cummings at UU Lansing. Share your reflections with us at uucgl.archives@gmail.com.
[ChatGPT provided edit suggestions for this blog.]
Sources
Lansing State Journal, April 4, 1980
The Liberal Express, April 9, 1980.
About the Author
Hi, I’m Ed Busch, the writer behind these blog posts exploring the history of UU Lansing. After retiring in 2023 from a 15-year career as an Electronic Records Archivist at Michigan State University’s Archives & Historical Collections, I’m thrilled to dedicate my time to sharing our church’s rich history.
I hold a Master’s in Library and Information Science, specializing in archival administration, and my academic background also includes a degree in Fisheries and coursework in Computer Science. Before shifting to a career in archives, I worked across diverse fields, including fisheries, aerospace, and IT.
My wife, Leigh White, and I have been part of the UU Lansing community since the early 2000s and became members in 2006. I’ve been actively involved with the church archives since 2007, and both of our daughters enjoyed growing up in UU Lansing’s Religious Education (RE) program.
I look forward to connecting with you through these blog posts as we delve into the stories that have shaped UU Lansing over the years.