Suzanne Jubenville
Music Director
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| Preparing for Advent and "The Wisdom of Trees" |
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| Written by Suzanne Jubenville |
| Thursday, November 10 2011 12:49 |
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As I write this, Thanksgiving is still a couple of weeks away; yet, this blog entry is going to look forward to Advent, specifically the annual Advent Music Sunday celebration, which will take place on December 11 during the morning worship service. Those of you who groaned with exasperation at the twinkly holiday lights and garlands that appeared in the shops even before the Halloween merchandise was cleared away, please keep reading! I'm only mentioning Advent this early because I want to give as many parishioners as possible the chance to participate in the choir on Music Sunday, with ample time to prepare. This year's service will be a meditative exploration in music and poetry of the essence of Advent, as expressed through the metaphor of the wisdom of trees. The service will offer an opportunity for self-examination as individuals and as a faith community; we will think about ways our attitudes and actions affect not only the natural world, but the shape and health of our own inner topography. We will speak and sing words of gratitude, wonder, remorse, and resolve, and we will be given words and signs of comfort, consolation, forgiveness, and hope. As we journey through Advent, let us be alert to the world around us. The magi who traveled toward Bethlehem were philosopher-scientists on a quest to examine and interpret a natural phenomenon. The ancient story tells us that their journey led them to a quiet, deeply profound spiritual experience. Let us, like them, not hesitate to see creation as a poetic and spiritual text. Our six Music Sunday choir anthems will include a setting of Wendell Berry's "I Go Among Trees" by Giselle Wyers, as well as Steve Heitzeg's setting of E. E. Cummings's "little tree." The Children's Choir, led by Faith Kasparian, will bless us with a rendition of "O Christmas Tree." Readings will include selections from Eckert Tolle and Mahatma Gandhi, as well as poetry by William Butler Yeats and Walt Whitman, among others. The congregation will explore Advent themes in hymns not usually associated with the season, and will end the service with a well-beloved and venerable carol. Service music will include seasonal musical settings of the Unison Affirmation and Chalice Lighting Response. Anyone wishing to participate with the choir for Music Sunday may come to Thursday choir practice (beginning Nov. 17) in the Sanctuary at 8:30pm to join us after the choir's rehearsal break (in fact, you may wish to come a few minutes early during the break, so we can have a chance to chat with you and socialize). |