SINGING WITH CREATION
The Children, Liturgy, Ecology, and Renewal (CLEAR) Project at ²ÝÁñÉçÇø gathers scholars, musicians and church leaders to spark important work on children, worship and ecology.
As part of the Project, musicians from different Christian traditions (Roman Catholic, Lutheran, United Church of Christ and Presbyterian) were invited to compose original songs to be used in Christian worship. Composers created these songs to be sung by congregations and to be suitable for children. The lyrics express praise of God the Creator, gratitude for creation, mystery, awe and lament. The Project brought musicians to ²ÝÁñÉçÇø in October 2024 and again in March 2025 so that they could sing, play, pray together and receive feedback from local congregations and schools that are active in the Project. On Oct. 7, 2025, the CLEAR Project presents Singing with Creation, a free concert for the community at the John and Joan Mullen Center for the Performing Arts.
Singing with Creation Concert
Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025
6:30 - 8:00 PM
The John and Joan Mullen Center for the Performing Arts
²ÝÁñÉçÇø
800 E. Lancaster Ave.
²ÝÁñÉçÇø, PA 19085
Join the CLEAR Project for a free concert of original hymns and gospel songs that honor God’s creation! All songs have been written for group singing, with children’s needs and gifts in mind. Reception to follow.


Musicians
Learn more about the CLEAR Project's collaborative partners below.

Laura and David Ash
For more than 35 years, church music directors Laura and David Ash of Seattle, Washington have created four albums of original liturgical music; hundreds of original songs, hymns, psalms and acclamations; and collaborative projects. They met at and graduated from Georgetown University. Laura earned a music teaching certificate from the University of Washington, and David received his Masters in Liturgical Music from Santa Clara University. Their violinist son Ben has composition degrees from New York University and the Seattle Film Institute.

Gene and Fatima Burke
Gene Burke is the minister of music and music director at Salt & Light where he leads with passion, vision and a deep commitment to excellence. He also teaches private piano lessons to children. Fatima Burke is the Children’s Choir director and musician at Salt & Light, guiding young voices with creativity and care while fostering both artistic and spiritual growth. Together, they have four sons: David, Micaiah, Aaron and Judah. Judah and Micaiah have contributed to this project as vocalists and brass section members.

Phil McMillan
Phil McMillan serves as the director of Music Ministry at Pennington Presbyterian Church. He lives in Ewing, New Jersey with his wife Miriam and their two children, for whom he has been a stay-at-home dad since the oldest was born seven years ago. Prior to that, Phil was a music therapist in North Philadelphia. Music and nature have been lifelong passions, with violin as his first love of many instruments. In his free time, Phil enjoys outdoor activities including hiking, biking and camping.

Betsey Beckman
Betsey Beckman is nationally acclaimed as liturgical dancer, storyteller, video producer and dancing Spiritual Director. For 50 years, she has been regularly featured at national conventions as well as leading all-age movement ministry in her Seattle home parish. With a Master’s in Ministry, Betsey blends her background in spirituality and Movement Therapy with the playful arts of InterPlay, improvisation and gesture. She has produced six series of dance prayer videos for Abbey of the Arts and is the co-author of Awakening the Creative Spirit: Bringing the Arts to Spiritual Direction.
Song |
Musical Artist |
Ìý ÌýChoreography |
In The Beginning |
Gene and Fatima Burke |
Ìý |
So Good |
Gene and Fatima Burke |
Ìý |
Wake Us to Wonder |
David and Laura Ash |
Ìý ÌýBetsey BeckmanÌý |
Fearfully and Wonderfully MadeÌý ÌýÌý |
Phil McMillan |
Ìý |
No Hiding Place |
Gene and Fatima Burke |
Ìý |
Everything Is Possible |
David and Laura Ash |
Ìý |
Remember the Small |
Phil McMillan |
Ìý |
Making Noises |
David and Laura Ash |
Ìý |
Help Us Spread Your Love |
Phil McMillan |
Ìý |
A Still, Small Voice |
Phil McMillan |
Ìý ÌýBetsey BeckmanÌý |
Viriditas |
David and Laura Ash |
Ìý |
I Miss the Birds |
David and Laura Ash |
Ìý |
I Need You |
Gene and Fatima Burke |
Ìý |
Sow the Seeds of Hope |
David and Laura Ash |
Ìý |
Masterpiece (Creator God) |
Gene and Fatima Burke |
Ìý |
The Water Is a Window |
Phil McMillan |
Ìý |
Marvel at God's Goodness |
Phil McMillan |
Ìý |
Day After Day |
Gene and Fatima BurkeÌý Ìý |
Ìý ÌýBetsey Beckman |