By Tim Redding, Music Director/Worship Coordinator
As I write this article, I notice that today (May 27th) was meant to be our final Wednesday evening choir rehearsal before summer break. We would have been putting the finishing touches on our last anthem of the season: “Spirit, Open My Heart.” I think the lyrics, by Ruth Duck, are a thoughtful prayer, and wanted to include them here:
Spirit, open my heart to the joy and pain of living; as you love may I love, in receiving and in giving. God, replace my stony heart with a heart that's kind and tender. All my coldness and fear to your grace I now surrender. Write your love upon my heart as my law, my goal, my story. In each thought, word, and deed, may my living bring you glory. May I weep with those who weep, share the joy of sister, brother. In the welcome of Christ, may we welcome one another.
Group singing has been around for thousands of years. Some of us have been singing with school choirs and church choirs for 10, 20, 30, 40 years or more! For the safety of everyone involved in choral music singing, it may look different for a period, but this, too, shall pass. The entire world is learning new stuff about how choral music is going to “work” in the near future. Yes, it feels like we have a long way to go. Yes, it is possible that our music program will look different in the fall.
But remember: out of adversity always comes the best art. When we can raise our voices again in praise and worship, we will treasure those experiences more deeply than we ever have.
May the peace of Christ be with you all!