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Hi CMLA community,
Welcome to the October Update.
This Saturday is the Music and Worship event which is an opportunity for music leaders, worship leaders, congregation members and ministers to all consider the role of music in worship. Find new ideas, new songs to sing and share in community.
The Centre is celebrating 10 plus years in ministry with a wonderful dinner at Nunyara in November. Get a table together and join in the celebrations.
There is still more to the year with the loads of great events and happenings. All the information is below and on the website.
We will keep you updated to any changes to these events, guided by the latest restrictions. Don't forget - if your community is looking for original, Australian-based resources for the Advent and Christmas season. check them out here. There is even a COVID-conscious nativity.
Blessings
Jenni, Neryl and Anne with The Centre for Music, Liturgy and the Arts
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The Centre for Music, Liturgy and the Arts is celebrating more than ten years of ministry in the Uniting Church. From worship leader development to artists’ retreats and from MiniM choir and Subtle Bricks Theatre Company to enriching pilgrimages, CMLA has worked in partnership with artists, songsters, writers, actors, preachers and worship teams to enrich the life of the church.
Now is the time to have some relaxing fun and to enjoy the company of kindred spirits at the CMLA Celebratory Dinner.
On the 3-course menu will be great food from the team at Nunyara, views of the city lights on a late spring evening, offerings from MiniM choir and Subtle Bricks and other musicians
We'd love you to join us for our celebration and fund-raising dinner in November.
The details can be found below.
Date: Sunday 14th November 2021
Venue: Nunyara Conference Centre, Belair, SA
Time: 5.30pm - 9.30 pm
A silent auction will be part of the festivities too.
Cost: $70 pp with a discount for tables of 12 - a great reason to bring friends with you.
Enquiries to Sharonne Price on 0417811517, sharonneprice@gmail.com or to admin@cmla.org.au
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Music and Worship Workshop
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Music has always played a role in worship, from the Israelites living in Exile to the Psalms to the church gathering together in Colossae to Gregorian chant to Wesleyan hymns to the pop rock of Hillsong, singing and music has been a way for people to meet with and offer praise and prayer to God.
Music is important in worship, it can enliven and deepen worship, and it can do the opposite. What we sing shapes our theology and our knowledge of God.
This full-day workshop will enable church musicians to gather together to engage in conversation, share experiences and ideas and resources. It offers an opportunity for church musicians to contemplate the how and why of having music in worship and their own practise.
When: Saturday 23rd October, 10am - 4pm
Where: Rosefield Uniting Church
Cost: $50 for the day (includes morning and afternoon tea)
$120 for a group of 3 or more people from one congregation
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Thank you for the music - MiniM Concert
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The MiniM concert was a delight. The music was beautiful and toe-tapping with joy. There were messages from previous choir members, and accompanists returned to share music too. If you missed the concert you can now watch it from the comfort of your lounge room.
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Thank you for the music!
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Synod Art Project Finalists
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In 2020 the UCA SA Synod General Secretary, Rev Felicity Amery, asked the Centre for Music, Liturgy and the Arts to work with her to create the Synod Art project.
This project sat in the context of a conversation the UCA Synod of SA is having about who it is, and what God might be doing in and through the Synod over the next few years. The arts have played a central role in expressing faith throughout the centuries. The art that surrounds us shapes the way we worship, think, pray, and understand God. The General Secretary was looking to have works of visual art to add to the shaping of these discussions and to have a presence in its office space
The theme for the art project was ‘God is Communion’, and visual artists were invited to create works that considered the following:
- Communion is ‘comm’–with and union – ‘togetherness’ with God, one another and all of creation. How do we experience this in the everyday?
- Is the imagery and language of the Trinity, as a symbol of God’s salvation and grace, redemptive for all of humanity?
- What expression of the Trinity invites us to hear God’s wide, and all embracing, invitation to communion with God, one another and all creation?
Over 40 artists who are associated the UCA in SA were invited to create works that considered these themes, and in response 13 artists produced 30 works in a variety of media.
Selected pieces were taken to the Synod meeting in February 11-13, 2021, as a means of speaking into the Synod’s strategic plan as it was discussed there. All of them have been on display in the Synod Office since then.
The General Secretary invited the Synod Executive Officers and the staff to help select works to purchase and that will stay on display in the office. We are delighted to announce the artwork that has been chosen is:
The series Providence 1,2 and 3 by Rev Dieter Engler
Desert Dancing by Karan Hudson
and an untitled piece by Robert Crilly Taylor.
Responding to Dieter’s work, Rev Philip Gardner writes:
These paintings by Dieter invite me to a more contemplative stance, to see the world at greater depth. In the muted colour and the abstract shape to see the hovering presence of the Spirit of God. This in turn invites reflection on how God is present in our world and how some places seem to have some kind of lingering presence of goodness and grace.
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Responding to Karan’s painting, Rev Jenny Swanbury writes:
Out of the blue this dance in the desert emerges. Life emerging out of water in a Creation Dance as in the two poetic biblical creation stories telling of God beginning to create and of life emerging. The dance of creation is reviewed and proclaimed‘and indeed, it was very good’.
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Responding to Robert’s painting, Rev Andy Hogarth writes:
This trilogy of painting–clearly with more meaning and depth than I could express, tells me the Spirit of Jesus has come, the hands are now open for a new community and the hands are praying power and life for the elders past, present and future to sit together under one sky and one glorious cross of Christ.
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An illustrated catalogue of all the artwork, with an accompanying theological reflection on some of the artwork by a local theologian, is being created to provide a more permanent record of the work, and enable the resources within to be widely available.
Local congregations are invited to look at work in the catalogue and host one or more of them for a period of time – for instance over Lent, or for Reconciliation Sunday, or the Season of Creation. Willunga Uniting Church has taken up this opportunity and will be hosting the whole exhibition during October 2021.
Selected artwork will also be used to illustrate the 2022 Synod Calendar.
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November 5&6
Christ Church Uniting
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Songwrite is an invitation to make space for
- creativity
- connection
- contemplation
- community
Songwrite is a Uniting Church gathering for crafting new songs for contemporary worship. It is open to aspiring songwriters, beginners, and those who have already been making music for worship. Whether you write words or music or both, Songwrite is a space for working on new songs. There’s no expectation. This weekend offers the gift of space and encouragement.
Songwrite started in 2013 as a national initiative of the Uniting Church, and has been held in Canberra, Adelaide and Brisbane. This event will be held in multiple locations, linked digitally for parts of the program.
The heart of Songwrite is a weekend community who listen to God’s creative Spirit, learn from one another, and support each other in writing new music. The weekend includes community worship and prayer, input from experienced songwriters, space to be creative – solo or with others, and mentors for feedback and guidance.Each Songwrite gathering around the country will have its own local program. There will be opportunities to link together online during the weekend for learning songwriting, worshipping and sharing music. Some Songwrite venues will also include the opportunity to have your songs put into a musical score, and to make a simple recording of your song.
Guest Songwriter: Malcolm Gordon
Malcolm is a singer-songwriter, worship leader, and teaches worship leaders. He is a minister in the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand. Malcolm is a wonderful songwriter whose songs have been sung in New Zealand, Australia and overseas. He also collaborates with others in music and art projects. He is currently completing a PhD in the area of music and worship. Malcolm was previously been a key contributor at Songwrite.
Malcolm’s music: malcolmgordon.bandcamp.com
Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/onevoicetv
One Voice website: www.onevoice.org.nz
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From our wider community...
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Artist in Residence John Coleman and Jenny Butten
14-21 November
St Andrew's Uniting Church
92 Jetty Road, Glenelg
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