The Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum (SSAAM) will ring in the new year with “Lord, Write My Name – The Gospel and African American Experience in Spirituals,” featuring baritone Keith Spencer and award-winning composer/pianist Peter Hilliard.

This concert at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Titusville at Washington Crossing on Saturday, January 18 at 3 p.m. will weave together iconic African American spirituals and powerful narratives, poetry, and letters written by enslaved and free Black historical figures

SSAAM is Central New Jersey’s only museum telling the rich local and regional stories of African Americans from the time of the transatlantic slave trade to the present day. With the support of the Preserving Black Churches grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the organization is honored to continue this important work with its first special event of 2025. 

In this collection of song and word, Spencer and Hilliard will perform well-known spirituals such as “Go Down, Moses,”, “Walk Together Children,” and others exploring themes of mourning, social justice, identity, and the hope that connects us all.

The “powerful, provocative, often-painful historic narrative offered by Mr. Spencer set the stage for each of the spirituals he performed, all with beauty, depth, and pathos,” said the Rev. William H. Stokes, 12th Bishop of New Jersey.

The church is located at 268 Washington Crossing Road in Titusville. Tickets are $25. Visit bit.ly/ssaam-gospel-spirituals.