Uploaded March 2024 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
The Sierra Song and Story Fest of 2023 was celebrated at Camp Peaceful Pines this past year. Twenty-six years ago, the camp hosted the very first Song and Story Fest and just five years ago, a wildfire devastated the surrounding area. The camp survived, thanks to smoke-jumpers who came to the rescue. The 27th Annual Song & Story Fest, known as the Sierra Wildfire Song & Story Fest, “AFTER the FIRE,” returned to the camp nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. As always, the FEST was a celebration of all ages, but it was also a place of contemplation as we live in a world littered with the scars of many “FIRES.”
Mikah Overman, a 14 year old, from Bridgwater, VA, was a baby at his first Song & Story Fest. This edition of “Brethren Voices,” hosted by BVS’er Seth Spire, shares some of Mikah’s talented attributes. Years ago, Mikah Overman became interested in the song, “We Are All Australian,” which was written by Bruce Woodley of an Australian group, the Seekers and Dobe Newton of the Bushwackers. The song discusses some of the history of Australia and its many cultures. Mikah sings and signs the song, asking the question, "Do we in the United States have a Song of Unity?"
Looking at some of the patriotic songs of the United States, Mikah discovered that the many cultures in our country really are not mentioned in our songs. Suggesting this topic to the Song & Story Fest planning committee, led to Mikah’s leading a workshop on “We Are All Australian.” What needs to change about American patriotism and national identity? Group participants created a song for the United States.
TAGS: Australian History, Aboriginal Tribes, Song & Story Fest, Song Writing, Church of the Brethren, Family Camping, Welcoming, Diversity,
The Sierra Song and Story Fest of 2023 was celebrated at Camp Peaceful Pines this past year. Twenty-six years ago, the camp hosted the very first Song and Story Fest and just five years ago, a wildfire devastated the surrounding area. The camp survived, thanks to smoke-jumpers who came to the rescue. The 27th Annual Song & Story Fest, known as the Sierra Wildfire Song & Story Fest, “AFTER the FIRE,” returned to the camp nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. As always, the FEST was a celebration of all ages, but it was also a place of contemplation as we live in a world littered with the scars of many “FIRES.”
Mikah Overman, a 14 year old, from Bridgwater, VA, was a baby at his first Song & Story Fest. This edition of “Brethren Voices,” hosted by BVS’er Seth Spire, shares some of Mikah’s talented attributes. Years ago, Mikah Overman became interested in the song, “We Are All Australian,” which was written by Bruce Woodley of an Australian group, the Seekers and Dobe Newton of the Bushwackers. The song discusses some of the history of Australia and its many cultures. Mikah sings and signs the song, asking the question, "Do we in the United States have a Song of Unity?"
Looking at some of the patriotic songs of the United States, Mikah discovered that the many cultures in our country really are not mentioned in our songs. Suggesting this topic to the Song & Story Fest planning committee, led to Mikah’s leading a workshop on “We Are All Australian.” What needs to change about American patriotism and national identity? Group participants created a song for the United States.
TAGS: Australian History, Aboriginal Tribes, Song & Story Fest, Song Writing, Church of the Brethren, Family Camping, Welcoming, Diversity,
