On Wednesday evening last week, Ash Wednesday, folk from the three congregations of the Collaborative gathered for the Wednesday Wondering Event and shared with one another their experience of our community thus far.
We broke bread and shared soup and discussed what we are appreciating and missing from our experience thus far. We also sought to identify priories for the next few months. The Commission will distill this information and work to incorporate all that was shared. Thank you to all who participated!
One thing that was shared that was not a surprise to any of us was the deep appreciation the individuals of all three communities of faith have for singing to live music!
Singing unites body and soul. “My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed” (Ps 71:23). It is wonderful to “make melody in your hearts,” rejoicing before the Wonder of the Universe in our innermost being! Singing aligns the body - the tongue, the throat, the chest, the diaphragm, the breath in the lungs and the vibrations in the thorax - with the rejoicing in the soul, and by doing so reinforces it.
Singing creates community! Songs unite us to one another, whether we are in church or at a hockey game. Psychologists speak about how songs function as a “hive switch,” turning us from self-absorbed individuals into a self-denying collective: “WE ARE CANADIAN!”
That’s the way music works: if multiple people talk at once, the meaning of each individual is lost, whereas if multiple people sing at once (and especially when they sing in harmony) the meaning of each individual line is heightened and strengthened by being united with others.
Singing in harmony is a glorious picture of what the church is intended to be, and especially so when we remember that if we sing from (say) the Psalter, we are united with the dead as well as the living. We sing our faith and the words and music both inspire and shape us as individuals and as community!
You are invited to join in identifying the music and songs that have shaped your faith and shaped this United Church of ours! What are your ten most favourite hymns? Click on this link or on the image below and list your 10 favourite hymns. The Ministry Team and Music Directors will use this list to choose hymns from for the Sundays post Easter and beyond as we celebrate 100 years of ministry as a United Church of Canada!
Lloyd
PS - Information and material for our Lenten journey can be found here. and remember, you are invited to join me and others on Thursday mornings as we cultivate hope together… click on the image below!
Looking Ahead
I away this week. Julia is available to respond to any emerging issues. As a result of my absence there will be no gathering on Thursday morning.
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