Sept 21: Leading "Morning Grounding: Awakening and Centering in Community" (MMC)

 

We'll be leading a few of these Monday morning gatherings for Music that Makes Community.  Join us for a weekly touchstone that includes singing, silence, sacred text, and community.  

What:  Morning Grounding:  Awakening & Centering in Community
When:  Mondays at 10a EDT (UTC-04) - 9a Central 
Where:  Online via Zoom.  Register here.

More details on facebook.

Here's the dates we'll be leading this space:  Sept 21 & Nov 2.  

Cancelled: Apr 20-22: Presenting at Institute of Liturgical Studies

Song/Dance: I Planted Seeds: Where & How

Have you sung and danced "I Planted Seeds" recently?  Has it taken root in your ears and heart and started to grow?  

Are you wanting to share it with other people in other places and would like to make sure you're getting it right by the creator?  

Will you be reprinting the words and wish to appropriately credit the source?  

We're glad this song and dance has meaning for you as it does for us!  

Here's the information you are looking for to double check your understanding of the song and dance, the appropriate way to cite it, and some bonus words from its originator about how to share it with others.

Experiment: Embodied Worship in Sound and Movement

You're invited to an experiment in worship!  

What:  An Experiment in Embodied Worship*
When:  Mon, March 25, 2019, 7 p.m.
Where:  St. Anne's Episcopal Church
             2035 Charlton Road, Sunfish Lake, MN (map below)

Let's breakdown what an Experiment in Embodied Worship is...

May 30-Jun 1: MMC in UTS-TC

Music that Makes Community is returning to the Twin Cities for a multi-day event!  Check your calendars and make plans to attend!  Invite others!  (And Yes, I'll honored to be invited back to be one of the co-presenters)

When:  Thu, May 30, 6p - Sat, Jun 1, 5p

Where:  United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities' new St. Paul campus, 767 Eustis St. 

More info, Registration:  MMC website

Feb 10: MMC at SW MN ELCA event

Points of Light Music is excited to be co-presenting two hour long Music that Makes Community workshop with John Jahr in Willmar, MN in February.  It is one of many sessions being offered to ELCA congregations in the Southwest Minnesota synod as part of their Equipping Congregations Day.  If you're part of one of these churches, check with your pastor or synod representative to see how you can register to attend.

 

 

Conie grew up in an ELCA church in Southwestern Minnesota surrounded by folks who nurtured and supported her budding musicianship and vocation as a church musician.  It seems like a homecoming to return to the area where she attended summer bible camp to offer new music tools and resources for lay and clergy in the small congregations of her youth. 

 

Points Of Light Music is very interested in bringing the paperless song leading tools and resources to the congregations and communities of rural Minnesota.  If you're not able to attend this workshop in Willmar, reach out to shine@pointsoflightmusic.net to talk about scheduling a 60-90 minute workshop in your community.  In addition to MMC tools and resources, Points Of Light Music offers Dances of Universal Peace events, Full Voice coaching sessions, spiritual direction/companioning, and more.  See the right column for more details. 



Music that Makes Community



Oct 25: Willmar residency, part 2

Last night I got to lead paperless songs, a la Music that Makes Community, at a Wednesday evening Eucharist service at Vinje Lutheran Church, in Willmar, MN at the invitation of their music director, John Jahr. 

I was invited to lead #paperless @musicthatmakescommunity songs here tonight. #thanksJohn! Their sanctuary in the round is quite amazing. Built in 1963 on the plains of central MN. #beforeitstime #youshouldseethestainedglassinthesunlight This is the quote that rings the sanctuary with names of the saints to the present written above in yellow with two empty spaces for the recently departed and you/me. #incredible "Therefore since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith."

A post shared by Conie Borchardt (@pointsoflight_mu) on Sep 27, 2017 at 5:41pm PDT

Music that Makes Community logo

Jul 2: Sunday morning Dances at Spirit United

My Dances of Universal Peace friends, Saleem and Patti, attend Spirit United, an interfaith community, and have wanted me to join them in leading dances there on a Sunday morning.  We finally found a date! 

 

Join us for an hour of Dances of Universal Peace! 

You bring your curious spirit, body, and voice.

We'll teach you the songs and the movements. 

Together we'll create beauty and harmony

as we practice love for self and others.

 

 

When:  Sunday morning, July 2, 2017, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Where:  Spirit United, 701 Lexington Ave, St. Paul

Going back: Leading Chapel at my Alma Mater

Me and a friend at commencement.

I'm going back to my alma mater on Friday to lead some singing and community movement for the daily chapel service. 

It's been almost 20 years since I've been there and it's interesting to reflect on where I've been and where I'm going and comparing it with what I remember of the 21yo me.  While I ponder articulating the amazement of how I got to where I am and how that place and community shaped and supported me, I'll just invite you to the event.  It's open to the public and free. 

What:  Augsburg College's Daily Chapel Service with me and the Augsburg Choir
When:  Friday, March 3, 2017, 10:40-11 a.m.
Where:  Hoversten Chapel inside the Foss Lobeck Miles Center, 625 22nd Ave South, Minneapolis

Dec 25: Xmas for the Lowly: Embodying the Magnificat

Christmas for the Lowly: Embodying the Magnificat. 

Prayers for the hungry and oppressed. Eucharist for all. 

Dances of Universal Peace from the Judeo-Christian traditions

Plus other tactile activities: Coloring Pages, Labyrinth Walk

Singing Christmas Carols from the hymnal 15 minutes before and after.

 

When:  Sunday, December 25, 2016, 10 a.m.

Where:  St. Mary's Episcopal Church

1895 Laurel Avenue, St. Paul, MN  55105

 

 Prayers.  Dances.  Eucharist.  Carols.

 

 

--

The events of this year has been like no other.  It starts with the end of last year at the 4th Precinct, includes Orlando, Philando Castile, Standing Rock, and an divisive election season.  I wonder what is going on, what is going to happen next.  In preparing for this Advent season, reading the Magnificat, Mary's prayer of praise and justice, has new resonance. 

 

Can this season be preparing us to birth something new?  Might the lowly be lifted up?  Will the hungry and oppressed be blessed?  Are we willing to risk vulnerability and uncertainty for new freedom? 

Dec 21: Solstice Service at St. Anne's

In Minnesota where the nights are long and the hours of daylight are short, it's good to mark the winter solstice.  To remember the dark nights are limited, will come to an end, and turn to give way to more light.  Slower than we'd like, perhaps, but it the amount of sunlight will increase. 

Not many Christian communities celebrate the winter solstice as the festivities of the Incarnation follow quickly after.  A sister community to my parish, St. Anne's, has held a simple but beautiful service for several years.  Last year I was fortunate to share some songs at this beautiful service.  They've invited me back this year and I hope you come.  There will be different but delicious prayers, poems, and stories reflecting on the darkness. 

What:  A liturgy honoring the nurturing quiet and growth found in the darkness, and celebrating the return of the Light.

A contemplative service of candles, music, candles, poetry, candles, silence, candles, Scripture, candles, chanting, candles, prayer - and candles! Stay after the liturgy for cookies, cocoa, and an celebratory outdoor bonfire to welcome the return of the light. Family friendly, all are welcome.

When:  Wednesday, December 21, 2016, 7 p.m.
Where:  St. Anne's Episcopal Church, 2035 Charlton Road, Sunfish Lake, MN 55118

For more info, go to the Facebook event.

Sept 29-Oct 1: Music that Makes Community - Des Moines 2016 edition

I'm excited to be one of the presenters for a Music that Makes Community (MMC) workshop in Des Moines, IA in late Sept/early Oct this year.  This is a great event for two reasons.

Singing at MMC-Mpls 2014

1. MMC does a great job of teaching the tools for paperless music to natural and trained musicians in a short amount of time. 
2. It is super affordable with the generous support of the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa.  Only $100!
3. And a bonus 3rd reason, is how inclusivity pervades as a core foundation of the work.  Folks of other faiths/beliefs, no faith, seekers, and the "spiritual and not religious" are welcome to sing and hone their song leading craft. 

Orlando Eucharist: A Service of Lament and Prayers for Peace

Tonight, Tuesday, June 14, 2016, 7 p.m.

 

St. Mary's Episcopal Church

1895 Laurel Ave, St. Paul, MN

 

Join us in prayers of lament and peace.

Love and Faithfulness Shall Lead



Last September, I was invited to a retreat with other Music that Makes Community* presenters.  We talked about where the organization had come from and dreamed of where it could be going.  We also did a lot of singing! 

 

I shared this simple round by David E. Poole based on Psalm 85 from David when I was a Heartbeat Scholar with John Philip and Ali Newell at Ghost Ranch last summer*.  Check out his Casa del Sol collection here. 

 

This round seems so appropo now.  I hope it fills a space in your heart and finds a purpose in your life. 


* if you're wondering about why I haven't talked about Music that Makes Community or Ghost Ranch or the Newell's ... well, (shyly), know that I plan to make up for that in the coming weeks!

Sing Solstice Songs!

Are you interested in singing some songs about darkness and light? 

I posted on facebook a few months ago this soundcloud track by my friend and sparklighter, Barbara McAfee, and some of my church-y friends got excited when they listened to it.  They offer a winter solstice service and are always on the lookout for fresh music.  I volunteered to teach it at the service. 

Fast forward a couple months.  We are planning the service and I realize there's a few other darkness-light songs floating in my head.  One is definitely not northern European, another is has a rich texture, another a dance.  All are beautiful.  Me thinks, I'd like to plant a few singers in strategic congregational spots to ensure their success. 

So!  Consider yourself invited to the service (yummy poetry will be featured in addition to candles, quiet, and singing!) and to as many song practices you wish to attend.  I'm offering 4 times: 

1. Mon, Dec 14, 5-6 p.m. at St. Mary's Episcopal, 1895 Laurel Ave, St. Paul - probably meeting in our new chapel space at the back of the sanctuary (beyond the altar)
2. Wed, Dec 16, 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Episcopal (same as above)
3. Sat, Dec 19, 10 a.m. at St. Anne's Episcopal, 2035 Charlton Rd, Sunfish Lake - we'll be in the sanctuary while pageant rehearsal is going on in the fellowship hall
4. Mon, Dec 21, 6 p.m. at St. Anne's Episcopal - probably meeting in the choir room; watch for signs.

The Solstice Service is at 7 p.m. at St. Anne's Episcopal (2035 Charlton Rd, Sunfish Lake, MN) 

A Liturgy of Darkness and Light: honor the nurturing quiet of God found in the darkness, and celebrate growth and the return of the Light. A contemplative service of candles, music, poetry, silence, Scripture, prayer. Stay after the liturgy for cookies, cocoa, and an celebratory outdoor bonfire to welcome the return of the light! Family friendly, all are welcome.  (From Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/events/481133388678627/)

What songs are we singing? 

• Light and darkness, a 3-word, 3-part round by a wonderful soul we'd love to acknowledge and thank
• To know dark, go dark, a fun 4-part layer song by Barbara McAfee adapting the words of Wendell Berry
• Jewels, a gorgeous 3-part layer song by Barbara.
• Turning towards the light, a Dance of Universal Peace I learned from fellow dance leader friend, Zahir. 
• and maybe Thy light is in all forms; Salaam aleikum/May peace be in our world; and other things that find their way to us...

I hope you join us! 

Encouraging new seeds to be sown

Due to social media barriers, I'm reposting my response to a Facebook conversation on the Progressive Christian Artists Network (PCAN) about Brian McLaren's Open Letter to Worship Leaders for non-Facebook folks. 

I hear two challenges for the pcan community: One is to get the songs written by this community out to more people. The other is how can we help foster more song writing, creative music and worship making? 

• Can we host concerts in our local communities with a discussion component?
• Would you be willing to share the songs (and their sources) you use on a Sunday or season?
• How about an annual songwriting challenge?
• Or something really radical, like giving songs (scores and audio) away? I appreciate intellectual property rights for acknowledging the source and giving the owner some rights. I think this system is now too cumbersome and limits the spread of good songs or liturgy. What would Jesus do to spread good songs?

The overall conversation focuses on the PR/marketing problem that all of Progressive Christianity seems to have. 

So ... what do you hear in Brian McLaren's words?  Do you sense other challenges?  And what role can you play in this?  (cuz we all want to enjoy some sunshine!)

In a stroke of coincidence or providence, The Gospel Coalition posted this tongue in cheek article about How to Discourage Artists in Church. 

For you clergy and lay folks in church leadership, where do you see yourself or your church doing good work?  How would you like to take one little step of change (cuz we want to create something sustainable longterm!)

The floor is open...