It
has been nearly ten years since I came to St. Mark’s. Periodically, I like to consult my job
description to make sure I am doing the basic things that are supposed to help
me lead the church’s song in this place.
As I read, I am reminded how fortunate I am to have a job that I truly
love and enjoy.
Did
you know that the people of St. Mark’s have an important task that is part of
my job description? Under the heading of
“Congregation/Staff Support” are the following words:
We will pray continually for God’s gift of strength,
courage, and creativity.
Your
prayers in these three areas are truly appreciated, but I would like for you to
add one more item – resources.
I’m
not talking about money - although we need that to order new music and to
maintain the organ, piano, harpsichord, and handbells. I’m talking about people to be active in our
music programs.
You
may have noticed we don’t currently have a children’s choir program. My dream is that someday we will have a fully
graded choral program with choirs for early elementary, upper elementary,
junior high, and senior high ensembles. Music is a perfect means to nurture our
children and youth on their spiritual journeys to becoming mature
Christians. One of my dreams is that the
junior and senior high choirs would embark on summer tours in alternate years –
presenting programs much like The Experience (Christ Lutheran Church in Charlotte,
NC) has provided for us in recent years.
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| St. Mark's children's choir members and their parents at a Chorister's Guild festival. |
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| Children from St. Mark's Ark. These Orff instrument could be a useful tool in a new children's choir. |
We
need more singers in the Festival Choir. The total number of singers has
remained pretty constant over the years, but work commitments, family needs,
and personal situations arise that affect our ability to confidently support
the congregation’s singing (job number one!) and to provide musical offerings
that are well-prepared, substantial, and artistic.
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| The Festival Choir warms up on a Sunday morning. |
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| Eric Olson's oboe adds beauty to our worship. Photo: Nicki Llinas |
It
isn’t just about singers. For two years
we have struggled to maintain an entry-level handbell choir.
What
is the purpose of a church music program?
Is it just to add beauty to worship?
Is it merely an opportunity for those who enjoy music to have fun? Is it something to attract visitors to our faith
community?
Church
music may indeed accomplish all of these things, but our primary aim is to use
God’s gift of music in the liturgy to glorify God and to edify those who gather
as God’s people. We strive to maintain
music’s role as the living voice of the gospel, to assist the community in its
faith formation, and to celebrate the beauty of holiness. (See the Association
of Lutheran Church Musicians Statement on Worship and Music at www.alcm.org.)
The
gifts of all musicians are welcome at St. Mark’s. I invite you to take part.
So, the next time you pray, I encourage you to continue those prayers for strength, courage, creativity,
and resources – not just for me, but for all musicians of St. Mark’s as we proclaim
the gospel.
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| Our Bach Vespers Choir proclaims the gospel. Photo: Nicki Llinas |
Your comments are welcome!
