A Perspective from Yosemite – By Susan Reed

Editor’s Note


Dear Masterful Musicians,

Hopefully, your church year has started with some success, and you are looking to plan for music and services into 2023. Whether you are a full-time church musician or pastor or make music as a side job or a second career, what you accomplish each week is nothing short of amazing for all who are blessed enough to be at your church. Please know that you are valued and needed by people in your congregation. The UCCMA is here to make your musical life a little easier by providing resources, strategies, and encouragement, so you don’t have to feel alone in your calling to serve.

Gracing our journal are a few continuing contributors and new perspectives that may interest you. We have a progress report from Susan DeSelms and others about the “Royalties for Spirituals” project that is now spreading all over the nation, along with a long list of spirituals for smaller choirs in our “Favorite Things” column and a timely book review by Ruth Striegel. We remember composer and sacred music expert Carl Schalk, hear the words of Paul Westermeyer, explore singing Easter Carols, provide a possible Baptism of Christ service, and stress the energy and import of sacred dance.

Mel Bringle gives us another of her beautiful hymns set to a new melody, and Tom Trenney allows us to use two of his responses. Wayne Wold’s organ/piano article is quite valuable, as are the articles shared by our regular contributors Cliff Aerie and Jim Boratko.

Please consider sharing your ideas and expertise with our membership by writing an article, sharing a piece of music, or reviewing a book or recording. Contact me with your ideas. We would be so pleased to hear from you! Also, please let me know how we can better serve you and your ministry and be relevant in your life.

If you can, please pass these articles on to clergy, musicians, and other worship planners in your congregations so they can use this information or consider getting an institutional membership for up to five staff persons in your church.

Breathe deeply as we move into the season of holidays and a time of musician’s stress. Take time to enjoy whatever is traditionally uplifting and rewarding for you. You deserve it!

Eric Dundore

ericdundore@outlook.com

MUSIC DOWNLOADS

A Sunburst of Glory

By Mary Louise Bringle

Rewarded with Holy Grace

Tune By McKee

Lyrics & Arr. Reverend Cliff Aerie

Trenny Responses

By Tom Trenney

Finlandia - Hymnbook

By Jean Sibelius


Finlandia  - Piano

By Jean Sibelius

Arr. WWL

Finlandia - Organ

By Jean Sibelius

Arr. WLW

CROSSES


This Celtic wheel cross is a form of Christian cross that emerged in Ireland, France and Great Britain in the Early Middle Ages. It became widespread through its use in the stone high crosses erected across the islands, especially in regions evangelized by Irish missionaries.

This cross is not to be confused with a variation that was appropriated for use as a symbol of white supremacy. The symbol is vastly used by non-extremists in contexts such as Christianity, neo-Paganism, and Irish patriotism.

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Worship, Music & Ministry is a publication of the United Church of Christ Musicians Association, Inc. and is issued three times a year. The journal is distributed to members of UCCMA as a benefit of membership.

All correspondence concerning membership in UCCMA, changes of address and other inquiries should be addressed to the United Church of Christ Musicians Association, P.O. Box 370631, West Hartford, CT  06137.

Information about the United Church of Christ Musicians Association is available at www.uccma.org.

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