Songs written by Reverend Sarah Pirtle include “My Roots Go Down,” “Walls and Bridges,” “The Mahogany Tree,” and “Two Hands Hold the Earth” which have been part of UU singing for decades. She has eleven recordings including Everyday Bravery and Heart of the World, and eleven national awards.
Her lyrics bless the daily making of courage. She brings out unsung stories and helps visualize moments that strengthen the conscience of the world. She began performing her songs when she was in her twenties as a founding member of a feminist poetry troupe in Cleveland, Ohio. Sarah is a CLF member. She grew up in the Summit UU Church in New Jersey, has been a workshop leader at Rowe Conference Center, and has had an unflagging life-long commitment to building social justice. Of the six peace education books she has written, her first book — An Outbreak of Peace — received the Olive Branch Award for outstanding book of the year on world peace.
Sarah received the Magic Penny Award for life-time achievement in children’s music. Pete Seeger says, “If you want to hear some of the best songs out there today for children, listen to Sarah Pirtle.” As a guest minister at UU churches since the 1980’s, she has performed her many songs for adults including “Follow the Voice.”
Currently her sermons, church concerts and ceremonies center around the theme of “Holding the Light.” As a human rights activist she helps inspire support for people healing from the continuum of violence. Her newest collection is Better Together: Caring and Including instead of Bullying.
Contact: Discovery Center for Peacebuilding, email pirtle22@hotmail.com.
http://www.sarahpirtle.com
