Dear Members, Friends, Siblings, All,

On Sunday, we will sing to our hearts’ content. Central has always been known to me as congregation that loves to sing. Well, if that sounds like you, please make plans to join us for the Hymn-Sing Service on Sunday, August 10. Of course, no special vocal gifts are required, only that you love to raise your voice in song to the glory of God.

When Summer Church: A Season of Exploration began, some of us wanted to explore what music and worship mean to Central, what part they play in our faith development and congregational life, and what possible creative possibilities could enrich our worship life together. As you may recall, we asked people to share favorite music and to say a bit about how it comes to be meaningful. Each contribution has a wonderful story, I have no doubt, and I would love to hear them all. These stories can teach us things about ourselves and our faith—yes, our own story—that may not be visible to us until we are asked and probe for significance.

Our questions and your contributions have led us to this service. Thank you to everyone who submitted music that is meaningful to them: hymns from the denominations we grew up with, beloved family songs, and newer lyrics and rhythms that awaken us to a “God is still speaking” church. We now have a rich collection to use for the next Hymn-Sing service, and we will invite suggestions again later.

For now—that is, after the service on Sunday—please give some thought to your favorite hymns or those that seem to come up often for you; that you draw encouragement or comfort in singing or humming. What’s that story? Where do you remember that song from as far back as you can remember? What was the setting, what was going on? Were there other people there, are they/were they special to you? What did it feel like, smell like, look like, taste like, cold or hot—as much sensory detail as you can uncover? And most important: How did it make you feel, what was your emotional state in that moment? Can you remember?

These are the elements of a story that make it come alive with meaning for us in the telling. Often, they reveal patterns that have significance now that only become visible over time. And sometimes, our stories reveal concealed riches, gifts that only become available to us when uncovered and set free.

Oh, the stories I could tell! But I must go to rest my vocal cords and prepare my lungs for Sunday. Whether you share your favorite hymn story or not, please try to “appreciate” the service on Sunday and share that with us. By appreciate it, I mean reflect on what it felt like to be part of a worship where we sing more than we speak, and what you felt was the best thing you were able to take away from being part of our big choir experience together. You can tell us what you didn’t like but try not to begin and end your reflections there. It’s an experiment that we want to learn from and your input will help.

One last thing: There are other “discovery groups” at work, some of which I could name and others that I could not. Quite on my own, I have claimed the Monday Creative gatherings as one, as it is surely an “exploration” of what is possible at Central for encouraging imagination, creativity and community, and creating space for what is possible. By the end of our season of exploration and in advance of the annual meeting, I hope we will plan for a “Discovery Expo”—think high school science fair with posters—on September 14^th where we share the explorations and discoveries with the congregation during coffee and conversation. And we must have cake. More on this come.

Gotta go now but with every hope that you will be with us for singing worship on Sunday, Streamers and Gatherers alike. We will be lifting every voice, singing, praying and praising God! It won’t be the same without you so, do come. It’ll be good.

Love and hugs,

Rev. Liz