(St James’ Youth Ministry discussion notes, which include excerpts from The Room Where It Happens: A Lent course for groups or individuals based on the musical Hamilton by Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin)
Week 1: ‘My name is’: Identity and Belonging
Prayer: “Lord, teach me to strive to be in the room where we recognize and affirm each other’s sense of belonging and the gifts we all bring to the table.
At the very start of Hamilton the musical, we get our first introduction to Hamilton the person. Like all historical figures, we can only actually meet him through other people’s eyes. On this occasion, we are meeting him through the eyes of Lin Manuel-Miranda.
During this first week, let’s enter Hamilton’s story by looking at the central character in the Lenten story – Jesus.
[Simone’s Note: Jesus is someone we may originally meet through other people’s eyes.]
Watch Video Clip the song “Alexander Hamilton.”
“The story of Alexander Hamilton, described in this musical production, begins with an unflattering description of his start in life: ‘a bastard, orphan, son of a whore…,’ in effect, a nobody and not just any nobody–to top it off, he is an immigrant. That Hamilton was repeatedly taunted with this from his childhood would no doubt have left him feeling a sense of insecurity; that insecurity was apparent throughout the rest of his comparatively short life.”
(The language in the song is intense and strong at times. How does a person feel to be described and talked about in those words? [Hint: it hurts.]) What language do we use to describe “others,” especially those we don’t know or those whose behavior we don’t like?
What do we know about Alexander Hamilton just from listening to the song?
Reading: Matthew 16:13-17
“Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
From the readings, stories, and songs we listen to in church each week, what do we know about Jesus? (Hint: take a few moments to think of some of the stories we’ve heard through all the seasons of the church, like Advent, Christmas, parables, etc.. )
Bishop Hudson-Wilkin writes: “I cannot help but wonder what Jesus must have been feeling and thinking about some of the [rumors] and half-truths that were being spread about him. Did he feel despair that the people (and sometimes even the disciples) just didn’t get it? Was he tired of having to set the record straight time and time again? It can get wearisome constantly having to put across who you and why you’re doing what you are doing. ”
Read Deuteronomy 26:1-11
“Since time immemorial, people have moved from their country of origin due to acts of war, natural disasters, or simply to make a better life for themselves (for health reasons, or to improve the financial position for them and their family.)
- How do we as a community enable newcomers to feel a sense of belonging
- When we hear negative things said about newcomers, do we silently collude, or do we intervene, saying what we believe to be right?”
What is said about immigrants and migrants today? What is happening now in the Ukraine? Why do you think the author, Bishop Hudson-Wilkin, paired this song “Alexander Hamilton” with this reading?
Action
In light of what you’ve learned this week, what will you do differently, or take forward?
This week’s Lenten Practice: Lyricist Lounge
Rewrite lyrics of the song “Alexander Hamilton” to describe the life of Jesus, your life, or the life of someone you know. (Here’s an instrumental track to get you inspired. “Alexander Hamilton” (Instrumental)
