(no subject)

[kayre]

amaebi commented that I am posting only about once a month. It's not intentional. Mostly it's a matter of shutting down under stress, coupled with my suspicion that only three people ever read this-- am I wrong? Anyway, here I am.

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A week ago I was startled and horrified to realize that if I weren't obligated to be there, the Sunday church service I was about to play was not one I'd want to attend. And then I thought "but I'm the director of music-- I can at least work on that part!" There are a lot of new things I've wanted to try, but there is nearly always a reason not to do so in church-- currently it's summer. There'll be a little window of opportunity in October, then it'll be too close to Christmas, then it'll be the worst of winter. Another little window early in spring, then it'll be Lent, and then it's after Easter when we lose all momentum, and then it's summer again.

So, screw all that. I have used a single drum in worship a few times, and once a drum and a shaker, and I've really wanted to do more; so I put a notice in our weekly email inviting folks to come early, and emailed my musicians the same. As it turns out, I got only one response from that-- but I got Pastor, my husband and daughter, and the three guest musicians, so I had a mightly little band. The day's "gathering music" was Kum Ba Yah, and we did it without keyboard, but with an assortment of drums, shakers, wood blocks and bells. I structured that one a bit, with different combinations on each verse. ("We're going to be unPresbyterian in a very Presbyterian way today.") The closing was an African chorus, and for that I told them to play whenever they wanted.

I got good feedback; will find out today if Pastor heard any negatives. But I had FUN, and led something the way I think it should be done. Best was the reaction of one of the guest musicians, who just radiated delight throughout the process.

Comments

[julian]

I'm reading!

(Also, that sounds both fabulously fun, and like damn good music. And worship.)

[kayre]

Thank you!

[sine_nomine]

I echo all of what julian said.

And I am going to try and get up there at least once this summer because it will get me out of my comfort zone. Just difficult between juggling time at CarRental Company and time with Sweetheart.

I always love reading whatever you write (and viewing whatever photos you post!). Apologies for lack of comment.

[amaebi]

Brava! Brava!

[bethynyc]

I'm still reading! And I need to post more too--more than just book lists!

[kayre]

You were one of the three :) I'd love to see you when you get a chance! Laura is occasionally travelling down as far as Hudson, maybe we could coordinate efforts.

[kayre]

thank you!

[gingicat]

Well, you know I read you.

I'm glad you were able to shake things up (pun intended) at church.

Note that I read FB *maybe* once a week at this point; I check on particular family members and you and Amaebi and Kat Tanaka Okopnik and log out again. I should read the local-to-me FB groups but the only people who talk about local politics are those spoiling for a fight.

[kayre]

Yes, you were one of my three-- thank you! FB is a whole different thing; I share lighter stuff, and don't so much worry about interaction there (though I still like it).

[cellio]

Good for you! I'm glad you and your musicians had fun.

I lack context; could you elaborate on "unPresbyterian in a very Presbyterian way"?

[veyska]

I still lurk as well (wait, does this defeat that?)... :-P

[kayre]

Yes, I'm afraid you've just un-lurked! Hope all is well with you!

[kayre]

Presbyterians typically lean toward the very prim, proper and structured. So drums and shakers in worship is awfully unPresbyterian, but adding organization and structure was a bit more Presbyterian.

[sine_nomine]

I have to plot dates with Sweetheart as to additional visits and get CarRental Company in there as well but I have hope! though it might be September...

Apparently Hudson is only like 15 minutes closer to me than your town is? But maybe there's some halfway point we can hit for a meal or some such... (though I have to confess hanging out at your church - and maybe singing some hymns - would be fun).

Would be really lovely to see you.

[mortuus]

I'm reading! I'm just truly terrible at commenting so that people know I'm reading.

[silkensteel]

When I skimmed the word "shaker" thanks to Ex's family I wondered if you were going to do Shaker hymns. Oh, and I do read your stuff. Just haven't known what to write lately. Since Kiddo moved to the group home, I've been more or less just _doing_ and not being introspective as much.