A Tale of Two Events, Two Projects, Many Sermons and One Magazine

Goodbye for now.

posted on May 2, 2011 in In Song

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With some regret, and some words of thanks, I take my leave, and take on a new challenge as a missionary for the United Methodist Church, U.S.A., to the World Council of Churches in Geneva.

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Living Faith: The Unauthorized Version

A tongue-in-cheek exploration of Presbyterian beliefs.

posted on April 15, 2011 in In Song

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In this living faith, unauthorized and not published by Wood Lake books, in the beginning Presbyterians started life in Canada as Settlers. Some say we’ve been settling ever since.

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Seconding a Sentiment

With a resounding "amen!"

posted on April 1, 2011 in In Song

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There are many talented people in the Presbyterian church. They could be, should be sharing their gifts as part of a national and denominational strategy for making our worship vibrant and joyful, and for effectively sharing our faith. Are they? And is there a strategy?

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Trumpets, Organ Benches and Church Doors

Where is church music heading?

posted on March 15, 2011 in In Song

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One thing is sure: one size no longer fits all. This variety in our worship and our music will require more from church musicians and more, not less, support, imagination and deep theology from our congregations.

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A Winter’s Feast in Grand Rapids

A symposium on worship (and did I mention joy?)

posted on March 3, 2011 in In Song

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There is an energy, a hungry spirit of enquiry at the Calvin Symposium on Worship, held each January in Grand Rapids. The Symposium shows a passionate commitment to exploring and supporting the arts of worship that we Presbyterians can learn from.

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Joyful Sounds from the Caintown Choir

A collection of songs from near and far, by eight women who love to sing.

posted on February 25, 2011 in In Song

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There’s a small book in my bookshelf called “Canadian Vibrations”. Actually, it’s called “Canadian Vibrations Canadiennes,” a unabashedly bilingual collection of traditional Canadian folksongs along with songs by Canadian singer-songwriters.

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Beloving the Bible

Songs and ideas to share the love.

posted on February 1, 2011 in In Song

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“Living Faith” presents as solid theology of the Bible. What about “beloving” as well as believing the scriptural text. Here are more ideas for authentic and faithful worship.

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It’s About Time

And worship.

posted on January 15, 2011 in In Song

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Worship is a temporal art which reflects the value we place on time. What kind of time are we as a denomination spending on strong congregational singing?

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What Does Vital, Faithful Worship Cost?

Looking at both sides.

posted on January 5, 2011 in In Song

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Here are some ideas about worship and congregational song that I’ve begged, borrowed, stolen and (what’s more important) used in past years that have made worship more vital and joyful.

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Christmas Tunes to Warm the Heart and Stuff in Stockings

Two reviews: Be Not Afraid and Noel

posted on December 15, 2010 in In Song

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“Tradition” is a word that’s as loaded as a Christmas stocking. These two CDs, each in their own way, shine their light on the traditions of Christmas – and deserve a spot in someone’s stocking.

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Building a Culture of Song

It means singing. A lot. For a lot of reasons.

posted on December 1, 2010 in In Song

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The well-documented and sad state of community singing is thrown into sharp relief during this most musical of seasons. Building a singing culture is the same as building a hockey culture, but without the gaps in the front teeth.

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Carols Tart and Tender

"New" carols to tell an old story.

posted on November 15, 2010 in In Song

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These carols speak to our time in fresh ways, and bring needed balance whenever we fear nostalgia and greeting-card sentiments rule our Yule.

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Playing with Advent Hymns

Advent music for modern day Miriams.

posted on November 1, 2010 in In Song

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When all the restructuring is done and the reports are in, it still comes back to loving, worshipping and enjoying God. That still involves the simple and subversive act of singing together.

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You’ve Got to Listen to This

Singing the Psalms.

posted on October 15, 2010 in In Song

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Today I suggest a few more psalm paraphrases that merit attention.

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Two More Gems from the Book of Praise

One pop ballad and a Brazilian folk song.

posted on October 1, 2010 in In Song

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More how-to comments on some contemporary and global songs in the Presbyterian Book of Praise. Listening to songs and artists of the same genre is a key ingredient in presenting the music on its own terms.

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Percussion in Worship: Some Practical Help

Links and videos to help your groove.

posted on September 15, 2010 in In Song

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How do you get the right style when leading worship songs rooted in popular and dance music? It comes down to rhythm. Here are some practical helps, with links to online videos.

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Hymns to Feed the Imagination

Food for thought and worship.

posted on September 1, 2010 in In Song

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I wonder if we suffer, not from a lack of faith, but from a poverty of imagination. Or do we accept what is dysfunctional because of our fierce loyalty to the church? Here are some more hymns to balance and shape us anew.

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At Least We Have an Anchor

Even if we're dragging it.

posted on August 15, 2010 in In Song

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Hymns shape us in ways deeper than our expressed theology—sometimes for good, sometimes not. Here are some hymns that should be shaping us. Agree? Disagree?

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Review: Angus Sutherland

With guest star, Stuart MacDonald.

posted on August 1, 2010 in In Song

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Angus Sutherland, minister at Doon Presbyterian in Kitchener, Ont., is also a multi-instrumentalist: bagpipes, penny whistle and guitar. He is also a song and hymn writer.

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The Hymn Society

Summer Hymn Conference Heats Up

posted on July 15, 2010 in In Song

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Hymn Societies, both local and international, keep lovers of congregational song in touch with what’s new and what’s familiar in hymnnody. Those who attend Hymn Society conferences find them invigorating and exhausting-and then they return with new ideas and new energy to their local congregations.

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