Dear Fellow Faithful Followers,

A happy new year to you! Here’s hoping that the year two thousand and nine will bring many blessings to you and the folks who hold you dear.

I am writing to let you know about my upcoming adventure(s)!

Many of you will have read the blogs that I posted about my recent exploration into the traditional musician’s “tour” in late October of 2008 (if not, you can find them by clicking the back and forth buttons on this blog). Well! The Fall experience was so rich and successful that I quickly decided to continue venturing into the realm of performance and outward ministry.

While my (very inward) process of writing and recording has not been entirely on hiatus (in fact, new songs about John Woolman and Elias Hicks are forthcoming, as well as an album of re-produced visions of songs from The Art of Fully Being), it has also not been the primary focus. My winter months could be described as: Much Emailing.

And it has paid off. This January and February I will visit many of the BYM Meetings that were not able to host me in the Fall. In March I travel to West Philadelphia to spend the months of March and April sharing ministry with Meetings and institutions in the Philadelphia area (sorry New York and New England – another time).

Please visit www.myspace.com/jonwattsmusic for updates to my schedule. And there are still dates open! Anywhere within two hours of Philadelphia is fair game.

I leave you with peace and Hafiz.

The
Heart is right to cry

Even when the smallest drop of light,
Of love,
Is taken away.

Perhaps you may kick, moan, scream
In a dignified
Silence

But you are so right
To do so in any fashion

Until God returns
To
You.

-Hafiz

Much love,

Jon Watts

Dear Friends,

I have just arrived back at my home in North Carolina and the first thing I felt led to do when I sat down was write a letter of gratitude to the Meetings and Friends that I met and shared with on my trip.

As I may have mentioned when I was at your Meeting, the trip I just completed was an experiment. I felt clear in my calling, but following that calling was a leap into the darkness. It was important to keep my eyes and ears open at each Meeting in order to hear God’s next instructions for me.

I can say that I was impressed and touched by each Meeting’s commitment to openness, listening and faith. I felt a deep trust in the Spirit as we gathered in each Meeting room and in the process of leading up to those gatherings.

After processing the experience of sharing with the Meetings that I had the opportunity to be with on this trip, I sense that my instructions are clear. I am returning to North Carolina with a renewed excitement and vigor for this work as well as a clarity of vision.

Much of that confidence and enthusiasm comes from the affirmation that I received from your Meeting and others along the way. The message that I received through your words, your actions, your financial contributions and your trust is this: my voice is valuable to the Religious Society of Friends.

So on behalf of my self, those who give voice through me and those who my work touches and will touch, thank you.

Jon Watts

Photo by Ron Akins

Hey folks!

Gosh, last time I sat down to write a newsletter, it was on my birthday. I was in Ashland and had no idea what was going to happen next. All of this crazy transition makes these newsletters a bit difficult to write.

This year is looking very promising for my exploration of ministry, music, marketing, etc. I have settled in Chapel Hill, where I am learning from the local musicians about booking, and, you know, other business stuff. The Chapel Hill Friends Meeting is being very supportive of my exploration, organizing a support committee for me and providing the opportunity for me to perform this coming Sunday, September 28th.

And… I am planning two tours for this year! Wow. I am so blessed. I have been trying to do this for at least three years and it is finally coming together so well! I have been in touch with many enthusiastic Monthly Meetings in BYM for the Fall tour and the dates are indeed coming together quite well:

October ’08 BYM Tour
Fri 10/24 – Richmond Friends Meeting 7:30 PM
Sat 10/25 – Friends Meeting of Washington 7:30 PM
Sun 10/26 – Herndon Friends Meeting 11:30 AM

Sat 11/1 – Homewood Friends Meeting 7:30 PM
Sun 11/2 – Gunpowder Friends Meeting 11 AM

And here’s where I need help from you:
If you live in Washington DC or Baltimore, I am looking for opportunities to play any of the weekdays, Monday 10/27 through Friday 10/31 in either city. I am happy to play house shows, coffeehouses, bars, living rooms, etc. Email me with any ideas! And come on out to FMW, Herndon, Homewood or Gunpowder!
If you live anywhere in Virginia, I am looking for opportunities to play the night of Thursday 10/23 and Monday 11/3. Same openness to venues. Email me and bring me to your town!

So that’s the first tour.
The experiment.

The second tour, in April, will most certainly benefit from the experience I gain on this first one. That’s why it is much more ambitious. Specifically, I am looking into traveling in Philadelphia, New York and New England Yearly Meetings for the entire month of April. If you live in any of those areas, I am just beginning to contact Monthly Meetings, so get in touch with me now if you want me to come to your Monthly Meeting or have suggestions about where my travels should take me.

That’s all for now! No matter where you live, be in touch with me if you are excited by the prospect of my coming to your Meeting/city. It will happen! (Especially if you live in North Carolina.) In the meantime, keep up with my tour plans at www.myspace.com/jonwattsmusic!

In peace,
Jon Watts