As of today I am doing something differently with this thread-- I printed the index of "spirituals" from up above to replace the smaller set of songs I usually carry. I annotate that list that I carry, as I add/improvise verses of songs that "I" know; it's been my record/dirary of where I used them (so which groups heard them).

But carrying the whole list will now give me the ability to portably ask others present what songs they might recall to lead in groups.

Since our Diocesan groups are increasingly diverse in so many ways, the likelihood of being the "only" one present who knows any has diminished considerably. Bonus-- I'll be able to report back, here, on how well-known the songs are in these circles, and perhaps how and when they learned the ones they know-- grandmothers, civil rights, etc.

~Susan