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From the Senior Pastor
Dear Beloveds,
One of the ways we are practicing re-entering in person worship is through slowly adding communal singing to our Sunday morning gathering.
Since early September, we have added more parts of the sung liturgy — Gospel acclamation, Sanctus, (aka Holy, Holy Holy) and the final joyous Aaaamen!
And our plan is to sing our first congregational hymn together on Reformation Sunday, Oct 31. That will be a sweet sound!
Communal singing is one of the ways I have talked about church being something almost unique in our communities. Where else do you sing with other people?
On Wednesday at 12:30pm, Luther Place is offering communal singing outside the Vermont Ave doors. We sing together in a circle for about 45 min. We sing old songs and we try out new songs. And after we sing, we pray in community.
What does the Magnolia tree have to teach us this week?
As we sat in the singing circle this week on Wednesday, one of the singers looked up and said — What a glorious day. Look at the Magnolia tree, I think it is singing too!
The small assembly smiled and laughed.
The sentiment that the tree is joining in singing is one that shows up in song and poetry. Heaven and nature do sing!
Maybe the Magnolia tree reminds us that communal singing happens in multiple places, and that “church singing” happens inside and outside of a building.
The Magnolia tree has hosted singing for Pet Blessings and Saturday Night Live Compline and will host music for our All Saints gathering at 1:30pm on Sunday, November 7.
The Magnolia tree has been singing the congregation through beautiful weather and mighty storms with songs of joy and hope and lament and collective grief. The Magnolia Tree offers Alleluias and Amens, creating music that makes space for our tears and broken hearts.
May grace-filled music accompany you, in your life — giving you encouragement for your days and melodies for your experiences.
In Christ,
Pastor Karen Brau
