Love Reaches

BY KEITH TAN

There is no motivator more powerful in the universe than love.

Yet in too many areas of our lives and in the world, we do not choose the path of love.  We spend billions of dollars trying to fix broken individuals and communities around the world.  But the most destructive disease that we face is loveless-ness.  For loveless-ness is at the root of broken marriages and broken families; of loneliness and addictions; of mistrust and broken relationships; of being unwanted and feeling insignificant; of the suffering poor and needy being written off; of warring tribes, factions, and nations; and so on.

But where there is love, there is hope, and there is joyful service.  Where there is service, there is peace.

We succumb to fear because frankly, it’s easier.  Love requires hard work.  It requires a sacrifice that demands our very lives – a daily dying.  In fact, it is so difficult that it is practically impossible for any human to sustain without the power of God.  We need to be inspired and be filled by Heaven’s Spirit, to be connected with God in order to choose love.  And this is why we are presenting the annual spring concert, Love Reaches.

At the heart of the mission of the Music Ministry of Christ Church Episcopal is to help people connect with God through music, believing that when we are in relationship with Him, we are transformed and we are empowered.

In this concert, the multi-generational choirs of Christ Church explored the ultimate Story of love: the craving of every human heart; the reaching of Heaven to earth; the transforming power of love; and the hopeful vision of love reaching every person on this planet.  The beauty of the music and the power of truth in these scripture-loaded lyrics lifted and inspired hearts.

I have always enjoyed how our congregation and our musicians appreciate a wide range of styles, and how we weave seamlessly between them.  For what connects them is the artistic-spiritual intentionality of ensuring that the purpose of every song serves to connect the heart of the worshipper to the heart of God.

In this concert musically, in Christ Church’s fashion, the style of music spanned across a tremendously wide variety ranging from beautiful classical choral works by Palestrina and Vaughan Williams to powerful and explosive contemporary songs by Steven Curtis Chapman, Kari Jobe and others.   We also be performed two of my original compositions, and debuted two songs arranged by me.

There are so many compelling pieces in this program, but one piece I was excited to share was “Ubi Caritas” by Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo.

Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.

“Where charity and love are, God is there.”  This challenging and gorgeous piece opens a glimpse of heaven on earth, and invites us to fulfill our true purpose in life – to love God and to love one another.

 — Keith Tan is the Music Minister here at Christ Church Episcopal

It is Well with My Soul

BY DIANNA BARRON

You know that feeling you get when you are fully aware of God’s presence?  Maybe you get the goose bumps or maybe your eyes fill to the brim with tears of emotion. Perhaps you just feel centered knowing that “it is well with your soul.” Or perhaps for the first time in weeks, you feel that things are going to be OK.

Those are some of the feelings I recall when I reflect back to the spring women’s gathering last spring.  I remember what a special weekend it was, filled with the warmth and goodwill of women who were there to share their faith and to support one another.  For me, it was a unique experience, my first women’s retreat. Ever. And I find myself wondering…why was that?  Why had I never gone on a women’s retreat with the women of Christ Church? 

Although I really didn’t know what to expect, what I encountered was far better than I had ever imagined.  The weekend was filled with good food, fellowship, warm surroundings, and an opportunity to share…or to simply listen. There were small group gatherings and large group gatherings, planned activities, and free moments to simply go outside and walk by the river.  Some of the women there were the women you see at every Christ Church gathering and some were women who don’t attend Christ Church.  All were welcome, and from what I observed, all felt at home.

Jan Walker, Missy Jennings, Becky Hansell, and Julie Finnegan each shared different stories of their faith at different times over the weekend. As we listened, sometimes we cried, and sometimes we laughed. Sometimes we took notes, and sometimes we just took it all in. I found myself forming bonds with women I had never really spoken with before.  It was surprising how receptive everyone seemed to making it a special time for all…and it was.  The Holy Spirit brought us together and must have been smiling as women grew stronger together in their faith and friendship. 

What are the lasting effects of a weekend like that?  I can’t speak for others, but afterwards I felt a strong commitment to lead a women’s Bible study – something else I had never done before.  I realized once again the “home” that is Christ Church Episcopal, and I still feel a strengthened connection with the other women who were there. 

This spring I hope you will feel a “nudge” to attend the upcoming Spring Women’s Gathering on April 1 and 2.  Once again, it will be at the home of Missy and John Jennings.  If you come, I can promise that you will be so glad that you made the decision to share the time with the warm, wonderful women of CCE.  Hope to see you there!