On April 18th, 1996, my daughter Carrie woke me in the middle of the night.  She had been praying.  She insisted that we go immediately to Daniel's bedside which was at a hospice in Boston.  It was an hour's drive.  I objected.  Carrie insisted.  Finally, Carrie and I, along with another friend Bev, drove through the night.  I kept my first promise by 45 minutes.  Thank you, Carrie for hearing the Spirit.

With the making of this CD, I have kept my second promise.  Daniel's story from his youth to his adulthood is told on this recording.  A gay man, artist and musician, he loved Jesus deeply.  It is the story of a church who loved him back.  Who moved him 6 times.  Who found a piano for his apartment.  Who had a housewarming shower for him with the Covenant Women bringing their lovely pastries.  Of a pastor who gave him the pulpit to tell his story...all of it.

Agreeing on all issues wasn't essential.

Loving unconditionally in the name of Jesus was.

Salem Covenant Church was the Color of Grace to Daniel.

Is love our Essence?  Or are we known by our denominations, our politics and our tenants of faith?  Are we known by what makes us different, rather than what binds us together?  Do they know we are Christians by our love?  Do they?

This CD is not like another. Let me tell you why. Before Daniel died of AIDS in 1996, the pastor of his church gave him the pulpit to tell his story.  Of his abuse.  Of his sexuality.  Of finding a home as a lonely teen-ager in the arms of this Family of Faith--a local church across the street from his family's apartment.

It is also the story of his returning, like the prodigal, for his final celebration and home-going--- again to the church of his youth, right in his boyhood neighborhood.  We audio-taped the service when Daniel spoke in 1994. Through digital miracles, as profound as the healing of Jairus's daughter, excerpts of Daniel's sermonette hold together the music on this CD as Daniel sweetly tells this story of Grace. He tells how he tried to commit suicide three times. "I guess it wasn't God's plan"... Daniel's voice fades and Judith Hanlon's tender, original, well-loved song begins... 

"There is a Master Plan, our God leads the way. As the sun rises in the sky a reason for each day.  There is a mighty source, flowing from Creation's hand. There is an everlasting, mighty master plan………" 

And this is the fabric that weaves the CD together.

While recording at Longview Farms in North Brookfield, Mass, we remembered Daniel's love of children. With a brilliant idea but only three days to round everyone up---we contacted some of the other youth (now grown) from the church group and folks who had supported Daniel his last few years. They brought their children and one hot August night we all gathered around the microphones, from 3 years old to 78 years old, and sang a song that had been Daniel's favorite as a teen at Bible camp, "Needs," by Rev. Denny Moon.  We felt the spirit that night. Surely, Daniel was singing with us.  From that mini-reunion, the CD release party became a much larger youth group reunion. At least, three of Daniel's contemporaries have begun new spiritual journeys as a result of the making of this CD.

That's Grace....and it is Amazing.

This CD has become more than a series of songs.

More than a series of songs about a certain "justice" issue.

More than a compilation of lyrics about grace.

This CD is an experience.

A worship experience.

Complete with story, original music, original art,

hymn histories and old time knee slapping gospel favorites.

We suggest that you put aside an hour.

Light a candle.

Sip your favorite comforting drink.

Invite the presence of the Spirit.

Trust a Holy and always Redeeming God.

….and listen to "The Color of Grace."