I’ve volunteered for many KFFs since 1996. I have had such fabulous times: It’s surprising that have often struggled about deciding to sign up to do it each time. When I’m not at the ranch, I forget just how wonderful it is there, and how much I get out of being there.
I get busy with life. Festival time approaches and I begin thinking of reasons not to commit. After all, it does takes effort! You need to plan and take care of responsibilities in order to be able to go. When you arrive, you’ll likely endure the Texas heat of late May and early June. Thunderstorms have been known to destroy tents, soak camper’s belongings. That happened this year.
I seek opportunities to make a positive difference in the world, and at times, I have questioned whether the festival is worth my time energy and effort.
BTW I know “do gooder” ambitions are common among UUs. I like how Melissa Gibbud expressed this. She was president of a congregation I served and was raised UU. She said that UU religion meant an orientation to do good wherever and whenever possible.
I have many times questioned the sense of doing another festival. I think: It’s just a folk festival. It’s play time. Voices of past scolding echo in my mind. “you need to grow up. Summer camp is for children.” I know this is not what I preach but you know we teach things that we want or need to learn.
Then I arrive at Quiet Valley Ranch. I see and feel all the beauty there, and I’m like “what was I thinking? How did I forget what a great this thing is?!
But the first night of festival when I get there, the lower meadow is full of tents. I have always camped in Forest Lawn, It’s the quiet area behind the stage reserved for volunteers. I see which spots are taken and I find my place. Before long I offer or hear the famous KFF greeting. Do you know what it is. “Welcome Home!” This greeting is most often accompanied by a hug.
“Shiner” is the first friend I see. He greets me and says “we are supposed to ask for permission before we touch someone.” I respond by hugging him. He tells me about the posters around camp put up by the festival. It’s a campaign to educate us all and create a safe environment rich in respect. Shiner doesn’t seem too excited about these posters. He is a really kind and considerate man. Maybe he felt feels anxious about new rules and wonders how to navigate them. Or maybe he was worried that the campaign would bring about a great reduction in hugging. That would be shame! IMO hugging makes a great contribution to the quality of the festival.
As a kitchen volunteer I have upon occasion given the job of counting people entering. I make sure that everyone without a volunteer wrist bracelet, pays or gives me a meal ticket. There have been meals that I sat there. I gave and received more hugs than ever in my life.
The “consent” posters say things like “A short dress does not mean yes.” and “No means no and so does..” and then lists things that fall short of giving consent. It’s one of many ways that KFF lives out UU principles and values. Our congregations seek to affirm and promote consent in all relations by eschewing shame, guilt, coercion and domination. Another shared quality; like KFF UU congregations are learning communities. Periodically we question, update and sometimes put cherished traditions to rest.
I’ve seen many changes at KFF. Back in the 90’s volunteers got some crazy number of beer tickets per day. Since many of us didn’t use our allotment, individuals could easily accrue more free beers than anyone needs. The first attempt at policy correction was to reduce the number of tickets given. Eventually the board decided that if you want alcoholic drinks you had to buy them. The change was not primarily about money. The community realized that the generous beer policy was not good for the community, the volunteers or the festival. KFF and UU congregations are learning communities. We change over time because we learn together.
KFF has never been without imperfections, significant ones. Nevertheless, there are notable qualities present that explain why people travel miles and make great sacrifices to attend year after year.
To prepare for this sermon, I asked staff members questions intended to elicit what was so special about the festival that explained why they made the effort.
“Tree” has been a volunteer on staff members for decades. She responded “People are all so different out here, and everybody accepts each other. It’s not like this in the world. Here all the different people are embraced.
Growing up, I never experienced that. I was never popular. I tried to keep to myself but people were mean to me. Here I have been loved.” I thought I saw tears forming in her eyes as she expressed what KFF meant to her. It happened with other people too.
I think the most common reason people come to the festival is that a friend urged them to do so. “You have to come to this festival. You will love it.” Many others buy concert tickets, and never consider volunteering or camping. Thank goodness for these people! That’s how the festival makes money. Some concert goers hear that half of the festival happens when the main show ends. This is a reference to the song circles that happen in camps. Virtually any time of day or night you can find at least a few songwriters sharing their treasures. For songwriters and listeners alike there is little like these circles anywhere. Its one of the things that attracts people to KFF.
People drive or fly here from all over the country. Yesterday I had a wonderful conversation over breakfast with a man from Bulgaria. David, his name was also David, went to Bulgaria 30+ years ago as a Rhodes Scholar. He married and became a permanent resident.
You meet all manner of interesting people and have incredible conversations here. It’s one of my favorite parts of being there. I had a long conversation with Kendall from Dallas. He is passionate about a combination of literatary genres, coming of age and the hero’s journey. Kendall was raised Seventh day Adventist and is a huge fan of Tchaikovsky. He is collaborating with a literature teacher to write a musical based on the Nutcracker Suite.
Of course, not everyone has been attending for years. Every year, there are people who come for the first time. They often come by themselves. Later they tell similar stories that go something like this:
“When I first came here I was scared. I was scared to camp in the Texas heat, Or I was nervous because I didn’t know anyone. Then they name someone who went to some great length to help them feel welcome.
Our Baxter emailed me and talked about this phenomenon. She wrote “A singer that was new to the festival mentioned that he was doing OK at camping but forgot a pillow. My friend Julia spoke from the audience & said “I will bring you one”. This kindness happens all the time here. The same singer mentioned Julia from another stage & thanked her.
Chairs appear when needed, food appears, hugs appear, musicians join in on stage to songs they don’t even know. The music varies from amateur to professional and it is all appreciated. Even the famous “headliners” wait in line at the bathroom with the festival attendees.
It is a family intent on being thoughtful and grateful. The “peace keepers” watch out for anyone in need of care or calming down. As the days wear on, some are sleep deprived, so it takes a village to watch out for one another.
Donna Schloss has been in first aid many times when needed. (This is still Baxter speaking). I had a major migraine one night and a cart & helpers appeared to take me to my car or home.
All of this in addition to the music magic happening on stage & in the camps.”
Many adults will tell you that they grew up at the festival. There is no doubt that this time together has a profound impact on people’s lives. I believe that it’s spiritual even people don’t use that word to describe it. Perhaps it’s as simple as being part of a community of hope and love, of gaining a sense of connection to something too large to be measured.
I talked with Chris who lives several states away from his son. Each year they meet at the fest and work different volunteer jobs. I have heard Chris express his pride and love of his son. Kerrville is a place where parents have a community watch their children grow up, and everybody is growing older together.
Chris said that a key factor in what binds Kerrverts together is a love of music and a belief in its power to change lives.
Many a performer has expressed appreciation for the exceptional listening of Kerrville audiences. They often marvel at the exceptional quality of friendship and support that songwriters give each other there. Musicians are far from the only ones to be pleasantly surprised by the kindness and support. Friendship made in Kerrville often last a lifetime.
I heard a volunteer once say that Kerrville was a place of spirituality and transformation disguised as a folk music festival. That rung true for me. Spirituality and the ways we hold life’s journey are so important! Although it isn’t featured in the structure or culture of the festival, it runs strong just beneath the surface. My impression is that most people here are not affiliated with organized religion. I bet many identify as spiritual but not religious.
I enjoy introducing our UU tradition to folk, our liberal ways of approaching faith and spirituality. My vocation is a conversation starter. People talk to me about their faith, belief, as well as things that are not always easy to express. People make shifts during the festival. More find companions who embrace their creativity. Here I’m speaking not only of music or art but the creative effort to navigate one’s own path. Instead of following a script given by family or limiting traditions, spiritual creatives find their own way.
At KFF & at UUCHC, people find companionship for this endeavor.
Today I shared something of why KFF is more than a festival. Are we more than a church? Do we have some of these “more than” qualities. Perhaps you can think of qualities that we have that are similar or different from KFF?
Thinking about a folk festival is not what most people think of as a fitting topic for a worship service! I hope that hearing about the festival has helped us gain clarity about the value and worth of what we do here. What are the ways that the Holy, or holiness, or spirit abides with us here? What might we learn from KFF? What different tools do we use? And/or what different ways do we have to bring spirituality, faith, consciousness or awareness of the something more, of beauty that transforms our lives and the lives of others. Do you have any new insights about our shared ministry? Let’s hear what you have to say!
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