I am 71 years old. Back when I went to Catholic elementary school I sang freely with the nuns.
Then when I was 18 years old, I joined a Unity church retreat and was singing with about 100 people and my friend. She told me that I was off key and should only move my lips.
I have felt uncomfortable singing in groups since then.
We recently spoke about the incident and she remembered it and was sad that she silenced me.
We are still very good friends. Just don't sing together.
I admire people who can sing out robustly. I still do not feel comfortable doing that even though I realize the problem was my friend's not mine.
Small words can have lasting consequences if we let them.
Maybe time for me to try singing again...small groups first. :)
My father was a Lutheran school teacher (all 8 grades, including me, in a one-room school house in Kansas. (I'm 88, so awhile ago!) He was also the church organist and the choir director. So, I can relate! I played the piano and refer to my hymnal for those old hymns for my meditation. We are blessed to have this good foundation. Thanks for sharing, Amy.
Psalm 100:1-5 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord , all ye lands. [2] Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. [3] Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Many years ago I was at a Catholic liturgy conference held at Notre Dame. The special guest speaker doing one of the keynotes and various workshops was John Bell from the Iona Community. For his keynote we went to St. Mary's College where the church is in the round. With people sitting on all 4 sides and John in the middle his entire presentation was sharing with us the songs the community had gone all over the world collecting. We sang songs as he taught us. Some in harmony, some plainsong, but I will never forget the magic of that evening! We literally could have stayed all night, just letting John lead us in song/prayer/communion. Music is magic!
Amen! I think about how you lead Martha Macon and me to Children’s Chorus of Washington some 20 years ago and that fortuitous moment she got the last minute and last audition surely changed the trajectory of her life. And the a cappella followed and trickled down to the younger sisters through high school and college. We now have a home in Appalachia region so I”ll have to seek out some shape singing there. So fun! Xoxo
So much to delve into. Thank you.
Why does this make me weep…..?
Amy, I loved the story .
It brought up a memory in my life.
I am 71 years old. Back when I went to Catholic elementary school I sang freely with the nuns.
Then when I was 18 years old, I joined a Unity church retreat and was singing with about 100 people and my friend. She told me that I was off key and should only move my lips.
I have felt uncomfortable singing in groups since then.
We recently spoke about the incident and she remembered it and was sad that she silenced me.
We are still very good friends. Just don't sing together.
I admire people who can sing out robustly. I still do not feel comfortable doing that even though I realize the problem was my friend's not mine.
Small words can have lasting consequences if we let them.
Maybe time for me to try singing again...small groups first. :)
Again, a gift from Amy…the lady with so many gifts to share.
Amy, my life has been turbulent for a number of reasons of late. I read One Good Thing and I feel peace. Thank you.
My father was a Lutheran school teacher (all 8 grades, including me, in a one-room school house in Kansas. (I'm 88, so awhile ago!) He was also the church organist and the choir director. So, I can relate! I played the piano and refer to my hymnal for those old hymns for my meditation. We are blessed to have this good foundation. Thanks for sharing, Amy.
Psalm 100:1-5 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord , all ye lands. [2] Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. [3] Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Many years ago I was at a Catholic liturgy conference held at Notre Dame. The special guest speaker doing one of the keynotes and various workshops was John Bell from the Iona Community. For his keynote we went to St. Mary's College where the church is in the round. With people sitting on all 4 sides and John in the middle his entire presentation was sharing with us the songs the community had gone all over the world collecting. We sang songs as he taught us. Some in harmony, some plainsong, but I will never forget the magic of that evening! We literally could have stayed all night, just letting John lead us in song/prayer/communion. Music is magic!
This bring happy tears to my eyes. Your writing is beautiful!
Amen! I think about how you lead Martha Macon and me to Children’s Chorus of Washington some 20 years ago and that fortuitous moment she got the last minute and last audition surely changed the trajectory of her life. And the a cappella followed and trickled down to the younger sisters through high school and college. We now have a home in Appalachia region so I”ll have to seek out some shape singing there. So fun! Xoxo