Whitley’s Rev Associate Professor Jason Goroncy has released a deeply moving song, Sunflowers, co-written with his friend Jonathan Hicks.
Originally emerging in 2024 during Jason’s time performing with the folk group Catgut and Air, the song was inspired by and written for the people of Ukraine. It’s a work that resonates on both a global and personal level. Jason’s Russian heritage makes the conflict especially poignant; his late babushka, he believes, would have been appalled by the aggression of her homeland’s leadership.
Released on the anniversary of his grandmother’s passing, the song is Jason’s tribute to her enduring influence and his expression of solidarity with those who have suffered loss yet continue to stand tall. Through evocative imagery of Ukraine’s national flower, the sunflower, the lyrics speak of resilience, justice, and the hope of renewal – a vision of playgrounds filled with laughter and fields blooming once again.
About Jason Goroncy
Rev Associate Professor Jason Goroncy is not only an accomplished theologian and teacher but also a thoughtful artist, musician, and songwriter whose work bridges art, faith, and social conscience. He often draws on lived experience and shared humanity, aiming to spark conversation and compassion.