“She Sets Us Free,” sung by Min. DeShay W. Freemyer-Jackson
DeShay W. Freemyer-Jackson, Minister of Music for The Gathering, A Womanist Church, sings “She Sets us Free.”
All are longing for the day when there is peace on earth;
gathered here we join to pray, hoping to bring rebirth.
Feel the Spirit in our hearts, keeping our hope alive;
with the power She imparts, we all can thrive.
Day by day the Spirit’s hand touches our deepest pain;
everywhere Her love expands, freeing from custom’s chains.
She affirms and blesses all, healing from hate and strife;
joined with Her we take down walls and bring new life.
Now we claim our sacred worth; now we can dream and dare,
joining hands, transforming earth, blossoming everywhere.
Praise the Spirit in our souls, giving us liberty;
with Her truth the world is whole and all are free.
Refrain:
She sets us free! She sets us free!
Follow the Spirit’s call; She sets us free.
She sets us free! She sets us free!
Follow the Spirit’s call; She sets us free!
Words © 2016 Jann Aldredge-Clanton
DeShay W. Freemyer-Jackson (They/Them) currently serves as Minister of Music for The Gathering, A Womanist Church in Dallas, TX, and as Minister of Music for First Christian Church in Granbury, TX. DeShay holds a Master of Divinity degree from Brite Divinity School (Texas Christian University) with certificates in Black Church Studies and Gender and Sexual Justice and a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Culver-Stockton College. DeShay recently contributed a chapter to Colors of Hope: A Devotional Journal from LGBTQ+ Christians, published by Chalice Press in March 2022. DeShay has performed as a solo and collaborative musician with a host of instrumental and vocal ensembles in Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, and Texas, providing music at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans, LA, Illinois Music Educators Conference, and multiple schools, churches, and homes. During their time at Brite Divinity, they served as vice-moderator for the Brite Black Seminarians student association and served on the chapel worship committee as music liaison, worship leader, and student vocal ensemble director. DeShay is seeking ordination with the Mid-America region of the Christian Church Disciples of Christ. DeShay’s interests center the importance of Womanism and its influence on theology/spirituality, Black/LGBTQIA+ culture, music, and food.