Sunday Afternoon Concerts in Good Shepherd

[Editor's note: For the past few weeks we have heard accounts from individuals in various ministries expressing what Good Shepherd means to them in this season of stewardship.  Last Sunday we heard Music Committee member Paul Kowalski talk about what music at Good Shepherd means to him.  The Organist/Choirmaster was then invited to write a reflection on Paul's speech for the weekly newsletter and Sunday newsletter.  Since it pertains to music, it also appears in this edition of The Shepherd's Song.] 

At all services last Sunday we heard Paul Kowalski eloquently express the importance that music plays in his personal faith journey, from his youth in a choir of men & boys to the present day. What he said resonated with me not because I happen to be the parish musician here, but because I have had a parallel journey wherein my love for ecclesiastical music has led me closer to God. Like Paul, I grew up and flourished in an environment that was rich with good music and soul-nurturing high art. As a result, I was called to a vocation in which I have the opportunity to teach and edify through the Divine gift of music.

No other Christian denomination can boast the unbroken continuity of choral singing and music education that we Episcopalians have inherited from the Church of England. Even well before the English Reformation choirs were established in cathedrals, collegiate churches, and parishes throughout England as a primary tool for evangelization and carrying out the opus Dei. In fact, hymn singing is among the first documented organized activities of the early Church.

In many ways music encapsulates facets of other areas of ministry within the Church. Theology is taught through the eloquent prose of poets, psalms, and scripture passages used as a basis for anthems. Our mission of outreach is achieved any time we sing outside of this church by feeding hearts and souls with sounds they may never have encountered before. Music is an art that requires live performance by people to lift the notes off the page, and when that happens, a magical transcendence occurs. Music represents the Divine in the sense that you cannot touch music, but music can touch you.

Though our customs are ancient ritual, the Church is not a museum. It is a living entity that adapts and responds to all that is around it. It is our privilege and responsibility as parishioners to ensure that all that the Church stands for is lovingly entrusted to subsequent generations. In this season while we focus on stewardship, let's remember it is not simply about the financial support that this parish needs to keep programs funded to carry out God's work, but it is about being actively involved to be the safeguards of the treasures entrusted to us.

Since the well being of music and education within this parish are entrusted to me, I would be remiss if I didn't make a simple plug: If your kids aren't already in the choir program, get them in there! We're always on the lookout for more adults as well. Unlike other music programs that can only allow in a fixed number of persons, we have the ability and liturgical resources to welcome all who are called to make a difference and experience life changing, soul enriching music ministry. Tithing takes many facets. It is up to us as members of Good Shepherd and disciples of Christ to live out the Gospel, to love one another, and continually be open to inspiration from all that is beautiful.

                                                                              --John Linker