Upcoming singing events: September 2013

There's lots of singing opportunities available.  Here's my recommendations for the month!  -Conie
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Sun, Sept 8, 4-6p: Singing in the Light with Barbara McAfee. Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church, Minneapolis.  Suggested donation of $10-20, but please don't let money keep you away!  More details here. 

Sun, Sept 15, 2-4p: Sing Heavenly Harmony Home (SHHH!) in the Library. Rondo Community Library, St. Paul. NOTE: this is during Open Streets St Paul so University Avenue will be closed between Hamline and Marion Avenues.  The library is open, but the parking ramp will be inaccessible.  Plan to park on the surrounding streets ... Or ride your bike or walk and be part of open streets before and after.  See more sing details here.

Sat, Sept 21, 9a-1p: Sacred Harp Convention.  The Landing - Minnesota River Heritage Park, Shakopee. This is the first morning of a two day gathering of shape note singers.  I plan to attend this portion of it and hope you will try it out with me!  Learn more about this annual event, other weekly events in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, and the basics of this unique American singing tradition made famous in the movie Cold Mountain at http://www.mnfasola.org/. 

Sun, Sept 29, 12n-1p: Dances of Universal Peace  (DUP)focusing on the Aramaic Lord's Prayer. Saint Mary's Episcopal Church, Saint Paul. The Dances are simple circle dances while chanting the sacred words from the world's religious traditions. Lead by John Hakem Bushnell, this monthly series will examine  the 8 lines of Christianity's widely recognized Lord's Prayer in the language of Aramaic.  This language was commonly spoken during the time Jesus was alive and has many layers of meaning. Dive in with us. Come with open eyes to the various possibilities of Jesus' words.  Watch this space for details on this event and other DUP events.

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Upcoming October events:

- Sun, 10/6, 2-4p - SHHH in the Library

- Sat, 10/12, 7p - MN Community Sings

- Sun, 10/20, 12n-1p - DUP-Aramaic Lord's Prayer

- Sun, 10/20, 4-6p - Singing in the Light

11th hour singing reminder

Just a reminder! Sing Heavenly Harmony Home (SHHH!) in the Library convenes at Rondo Library at 2 pm tomorrow (Sun, Aug 4, 2013). 

Hope to see you there!  

SHHH! Is that the sound of fireworks about to pop?

Tonight is a celebratory observance of rebellious colonists breaking free from monarchy rule. The party includes food, friends and family, and fireworks fueled with fabulous patriotic songs. Will your music be piped in or live?  If its the former I hope your finding some time to make some live sounds!

Like on Sunday. Join me and others at Rondo library from 2-4p to sing songs of rebellious patriots from then and now (among other sounds). We'll create fireworks that won't damage your hearing. We'll share time and space with others that creates deeper meaning without widening our waistlines. 

More details here: http://pointsoflightmusic.blogspot.com/p/sing-heavenly-harmony-shh-in-library.html

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...