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MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE MAKING A JOYFUL NOISEMusic and Worship at St. George’s
ST. GEORGE’S MUSIC MINISTRIES AT A GLANCE
COMMON PRAYER + COMMON MISSION
ST. GEORGE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH • ORDINARY TIME PART I • SUMMER • 2017
Receiving • Living • Sharing THE ABUNDANT LIFE OF JESUS CHRIST
Some time ago I was listening to a podcast interview of Darryl Tippens, Provost and Chief Academic Officer at Pepperdine University. The topic was the
sociology of singing, an area of scholarship and concern for Tippens. During the conversation, Tippens lamented ways in which consumer electronics and technology have changed the ways we experience music and singing. For many in our contemporary milieu, the enjoyment of music is a solitary endeavor, often experienced listening through earbuds or alone in our automobiles. The vast majority of us do not make or sing music on our own. Instead we listen passively to the music of professional musicians that is digitally recorded or expertly performed.
Yes, it is a great thing to listen to well-recorded and well-performed music. Yet it is not to be a curmudgeon to ponder how vastly different this situation is from the recent past, as well as to wonder what we may have lost, perhaps irretrievably. Less than a 100 years ago making music and singing songs were communal practices done by ordinary people everywhere.
Tippens commented: “If you go back just a couple of generations it would be possible to say that most people living had never heard and might never hear in their life-time professionally produced music. What they did was they grew up in communities where everyone did it, and it was the work and the joy of the amateur. So, whether you were working in the fields, or working in the house, or whether you were at school, or in the church, music was the gift and the product of the community itself. . . there was a lot less self-consciousness about it. . .when you and I hear only highly produced music all the time,
professionally produced music, suddenly those of us who are not gifted and not trained go silent.”
This issue of The Shield is dedicated to the gift of music to the Christian life. Members of St. George’s should appreciate the significance of this subject more than most church-goers. St. George’s has a well-deserved reputation for musical excellence. Over the years, our parish has been blessed with extraordinarily gifted and committed professional musicians leading our music ministries, Dr. Woosug Kang being the latest. Woosug’s knowledge and passion for our rich choral tradition are truly exceptional. Of course, the same could be said of Gerry Senechal, our Associate Director of Music Ministries. Additionally, we have incredibly talented and dedicated choir members who every Sunday shape our richly edifying worship through their beautiful singing. We have an outstanding and growing Chorister program for our children and youth. And St. George’s is also known for hosting very impressive concerts with interna-tionally-respected guest musicians through our In Excelsis concert series.
However, a church’s music ministry is not the carved-out niche of professional musicians and choir members. If St. George’s is truly to have an outstanding music ministry, we need the congregation to be at the heart of it, understanding the critical significance of music to our worship life and participating in it. Our musical heritage here is a powerful blessing, informed by Scripture, rooted in our tradition, composed by remarkably gifted artists, and heard and sung by innumerable saints who have gone before us.
I know it is hard not to bring our deeply formed consumer habits and influences into the church, but the music and singing we offer here is not fundamentally about satisfying our personal preferences and aesthetic tastes. Nor is the goal of our music primarily about performance. Rather, vital Christian communities make beautiful music and have robust congregational singing because they are deeply immersed in gospel joy.
I offer two practical suggestions for engagement : First, parents should encourage their children in learning to sing and give serious thought to introducing them to our sacred music heritage through our children’s and youth choirs. You would be nurturing in your child a truly holy gift, perhaps a life-long love affair with worshipful and great art.
Second, let’s elevate our congregational hymn singing. Singing in church is an Incarnational act. As our beliefs about God printed on the pages of a hymnal are literally given breath and sound, as they leave our lips and fly forth on the wings of our song, our sung words in a sense take on flesh, bringing glory to God and renewed life, inspiration, and joy to ordinary people like us.
The impulse to share our deepest human longings and convictions in music and song is probably innate in most human beings. Almost certainly it has been practiced in all cultures. As it relates to our own cultural life, would you consider new ways that you might contribute to a deepening and broadening of this incredible gift in our own parish family?
ST. GEORGE’S CLERGY
The Rev. R. Leigh Spruill Rector
The Rev. Dr. Kristine BlaessSenior Associate Rector
The Rev. Samuel AdamsAssociate Rector
The Rev. Michael BlaessAssociate Rector
The Rev. Chad JonesAssociate Rector
Priest-In-Charge, Church of the [email protected]
The Rev. Clinton WilsonAssociate Rector
The Rev. Richard KewPriest Associate
The Rev. Timus TaylorPriest Associate
stgeorgesnashville.org615-385-2150
Letter From The Rector
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MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE
A CONVERSATION WITH JOE KING
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CHOIR CONVERSATIONSOne-on-one with Amy and Mareike
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SUMMER 2017
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MAKING A JOYFUL NOISE! Music and Worship at St. George’s
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ST. GEORGE’S MUSIC MINISTRIES AT A GLANCE
GROWING A MISSIONAL COMMUNITY OF FAMILIES ST.GEORGE’S CHOIR
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CHORAL WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
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NEWS&NOTES
UPCOMING MUSICAL EVENTSIn Excelsis Concert Series
Table of ContentsLETTER FROM THE RECTORMake A Joyful Noise
MAKING A JOYFUL NOISEMusic and Worship at St. George’s
DEFINING THE MUSICAL WORSHIP EXPERIENCE
ST. GEORGE’S MUSIC MINISTRIES AT A GLANCE
UPCOMING MUSICAL EVENTSIn Excelsis Concert Series
CHORAL WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
COMMON PRAYER + COMMON MISSION
FROM THE SEEDS OF MUSIC MINISTRYGROWS A MISSIONAL COMMUNITY
THE CHOIR AT ST. GEORGE’S
CHOIR CONVERSATIONSOne-on-one with Amy and Mareike
THE CHORISTER’S PERSPECTIVEWoosug Kang and Gerry Senechal Talk to Jack Blaess
ST. GEORGE’S CHORISTERS AREOFF TO ELY CATHEDRAL IN 2019!
NEWS & NOTES Summer 2017
STEWARDSHIP
WELCOME LISA BEYELER
BOOK NOOK
TRANSITIONS
INREACH
BOOK NOOK
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When I accepted my position here at St. George’s last fall, I was pleased that my title would be the “Director of Music Minis-tries,” not just the “Director of Music.” The
word ministry is often associated with leadership and I believe that a key component of leadership is having a spirit of servitude. To be a good leader you must be willing to serve. Serving God and serving our fellow man is the highest and best calling for all Christians—but what does that look like in our particular ministry?
While music in our modern culture is often associated with entertainment and showmanship, the role of music in the church at large and especially at St.George’s, is to minister. Our specific ministry is to serve the church, the congregation, and to glorify God as a part of our collective worship. It is quite easy to think of the choir and the organ as separate from the congregation but just as we have celebrants, officiants, deacons, and other worship leaders, the musicians play their specific role in worship as well.
We represent all of us as we give glory to God through audible sound. We believe that as musicians and as your choir, our dedication and effort symbolizes the love that we feel for one another and for God.
We all know music can inspire us, set the mood, and move us with sounds alone. What makes our wor-ship music even more special is the text. We pick our anthems and hymns, not based on what we like to hear. We pick them according to the lectionary. There-fore they fit and serve to enhance the texture of the scriptural readings of the day. Many of our wonderful composers were inspired by these texts—some more than 500 years ago. Music draws out and illuminates scriptural meaning and it challenges and inspires us in our worship. The music we hear Sunday after Sunday is music that has been used for generations. There is something natural about wanting to lift your voice up to the Lord, in worship, in praise, in lamentation, in inter-cession. We know that the earliest Christians worshiped God through music and therefore we see ourselves as a conduit—connecting people and traditions from the past to our present.
How does our choral community work together to symbolize this effort for the greater good? The adult choir rehearses once a week, and sings one, two, and sometimes three services per week. The hard work required is a joyful endeavor to be sure—but it holds more meaning than simple self-satisfaction to those who choose to commit themselves. Choir members
dedicate their time to rehearse, learn, practice, and sing. Yes—they have to put up with me telling them when it is not good enough (who likes to be told that?) But they take instruction and constructive criticism and even praise with grace, because we all want to glorify and worship God—putting forth our best effort possi-ble. The vulnerability of singing together also cultivates trust and makes us more than a group of musicians—we are a community of believers dedicated to one another and to you. Our goal—our mission—is to glorify God through the beauty of music.
When a community has a mission, it has an oppor-tunity to grow deeper personal relationships through challenges and achievement. An average adult choir member dedicates about 200 hours a year to the min-istry of music. Our young choristers also dedicate an enormous amount of time to music. In our busy modern times, how many communities can say that they dedi-cate themselves and strive for excellence, solely for the glory of God? Johann Sebastian Bach said, “Soli Deo Gloria,” “In God’s glory alone.” What a noble idea that is. You could say that in God’s glory alone is what the Music Ministries leadership team and musicians strive for daily. We want to please God, to glorify God, by serving our fellow man—one musical note at a time.
MAKING A JOYFUL NOISE Music and Worship at St. George’s by Dr. Woosug Kang
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Below are several common terms that can provide you greater understanding of the role music plays in worship.
You can find these frequently referred to in our Sunday morning bulletin.
HymnsWhat a gift! We have our 1982 Hymnal in the pews, which con-tains about 700 hymns and 200 pieces of service music. There is so much history, culture, evidence of faith, and the blessing of time in the hymn texts. In our hymnal we find songs that were sung by persecuted Christians in early Latin, and we find the diversity from the “Father of the English Hymn” Isaac Watts (“Joy to the World”), to Charles Wesley (“Love divine all love excelling”) and great tunes by Ralph Vaughan Williams (“For all the Saints”). Many people wonder how we choose hymns. We ask ourselves: Does it fit the readings of the day? Does it fit the functional atmosphere of the season and service? Is it singing friendly? And how familiar are the tunes?
We understand singing is not everyone’s “cup of tea” – but hymns are so much more than just music. We live in a society where music is presented in perfect recording format. It makes even professional musicians paranoid thinking about making mistakes! Singing hymns is not about making perfect music. Music simply amplifies the gift of these beautiful texts that were handed down to us. If you follow through the text meaningfully, as you would listen to a sermon, it will engage you in worship. Speaking the hymns aloud (we would welcome that!), if singing is not something you enjoy, is a great way to engage in worship through music. It is also helpful to remember that this important act is a way to praise God. Hymns are meant to be shared – they do not sit on an invis-ible pedestal just for musicians. We encourage you to join us as we make a joyful noise in praise and with thanksgiving to God!
Gloria“Glory to God in the highest, and peace to His people on earth.” For centuries, the church has sang the Gloria towards the very begin-ning of the liturgy. While its primary purpose is to praise God, it also reminds us of his sovereignty, his redemption of the human race, and his place in heaven itself.
CreedThough historically sung in the Latin Mass, we speak the Creed together. We use both the Nicene Creed and the Apostles’ Creed.
Agnus DeiUsually the “Fraction Anthem” happens during the breaking of the bread. Sometimes this text is sung during Communion. Over time, many other texts became available for the moment of Fraction as well. We also have wealth of canticles and prayers. They stem from different and diverse sources from a wide period of time.
Sanctus/Benedictus “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of power and might…blessed is he that comes in the Name of the Lord.” These parts of the Latin Mass are sung during the celebration of the Eucharist and are now joined together.
Voluntary When you arrive in the Nave for worship services, there is usually organ music at the beginning of the service, and again at the end of the service. Have you ever wondered why the organist is playing the music? As a young organist, I once asked my mentor, “Why do we prepare challenging organ pieces at the end of our worship? It feels like such a waste of effort and time! No one is listening!” To my great embarrassment, I received a stern look and a three word answer, “God is listening.” So, the next time you hear an organ piece, at the beginning or at the end of the service, please consider yourself invit-ed to join us in listening as we play a joyful noise for God!
Defining the musical worship experience. by Dr. Woosug Kang & Gerry Senechal
Woosug KangDirector of Music Ministries
The newest member of St. George’s Music Minis-tries team, Dr. Woosug Kang comes from a diverse background with his formative years spent in both South Korea and New Zealand. He has also spent time in Connecticut, Indiana, Massachusetts, Arizona, and now Nashville! Woosug’s musical accolades are many—including recently obtaining his doctorate degree. He was originally trained as an organist and has enjoyed the blessing of working with exceptional choirs through his career. He fell in love with Anglican music during his time as the Godfrey Organ Scholar at Holy Trinity Cathedral of Auckland, New Zealand, and has a strong passion for passing this gift on to the next generation.
Gerry SenechalAssociate Director of Music and Organist
Gerry Senechal began his career in church music at the age of eight when the organist of his father’s parish moved away. At age ten, he joined the Choir of Men and Boys at All Saints Episcopal Church in Worcester, Massachusetts, which profound-ly influenced his musicality and churchmanship. Following his undergraduate work at Sewanee, he was appointed Music Intern at West End United Methodist Church in Nashville. He has served St. George’s as Associate Director of Music Min-istries and Organist since 2004. He received his Master’s in Music, with an emphasis in conducting, from Belmont University in 2010.
St. George’s ChoirSt. George’s Choir is comprised of both profes-sional singers and dedicated lay singers who prac-tice and prepare each Wednesday evening during the academic year and participate in hundreds of worship and other special services throughout the year. The choir has built its exemplary reputa-tion over the years, and is now looking forward to building on this foundation under the leadership of Woosug Kang. Very often, the work of the choir goes unseen, but rest assured it is a huge commit-ment to be a part of this ministry. We are thankful and appreciative of all the labor, passion, and teamwork they exemplify. The caliber of music the choir sings rivals that of the great cathedrals in the United Kingdom and we are proud to grow within this rich Anglican tradition.
Choristers of St. George’sThe Choristers of St. George’s is a singing group open to children in grades 3 through 12 and is modeled after the long-standing tradition of En-glish Cathedrals, where they sing high quality choral repertoire. In this modern age, there are not many churches that have a chorister program like St. George’s. Our choristers work together every Wednesday evening during the academic year to grow and be challenged as new leaders in the church. They learn not only how to sing, but the history of sacred repertoire, psalms, hymns, and service music. Our highly qualified music staff often provides private lessons to the choristers to aid in enhancing their overall development.
St. Dunstan’sSt. Dunstan’s Choir is for 1st and 2nd grade chil-dren. Singing can be such an important part of a child’s growth and the choir provides an education in singing technique, basic music theory, and the role that music has in the larger context of worship. St. Dunstan’s prepares students to sing with the Choristers of St. George’s when they reach the 3rd grade.
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ST. GEORGE’S MUSIC MINISTRIES AT A GLANCE
If you have any questions or would like to participate in the ministry of making beautiful music please
contact Woosug Kang at [email protected]
or Gerry Senechal at [email protected].
Our choirs are open to congregation members of all ages. We always welcome new faces. Please join us.
September 24, 2017, 6pm
Dueling Organists Featuring Woosug Kang and Gerry Senechal on the organ
It is not every day you get to experience two gifted organists compet-ing over one organ! Woosug Kang and Gerry Senechal will compete in a friendly spirit in categories of organ music such as “Works by J.S.Bach,” “French Romantic Music,” and “Virtuosi.” All proceeds will benefit our Chorister’s 2019 residency at historic Ely Cathedral in England.
November 5, 2017, 6pmRequiem: Music for Our Loved Ones
Featuring St. George’s Choir
On All Saint’s Sunday we invite you to a reflective and sublime choral masterpiece, Requiem by English composer Herbert Howells. This work will include readings that will enrich this important feast day for all of us.
December 3, 2017, 6pm Nine Lessons and Carols
Featuring St. George’s Choir
Choristers of St. George’s, and St. Dunstan’s
You are invited to this treasure of our Anglican tradition. Nine Lessons and Carols are part of our celebration as we await the coming of the Christ child at Christmas. This service brings a wonderful variety of carols, readings, and liturgy. This tradition can be an amazing and mean-ingful family tradition as we share the gift of Advent and Christmas!
Upcoming Musical Events
In Excelsis means “highest point” or “highest degree.” As we prepare music at St. George’s we maintain the mindset of providing consistent ex-cellence. The In Excelsis series, presented by the Friends of Music Committee, reflects that passion through concerts with exceptional musicians shar-ing their musical talents with the community.
We hope to bring unique musical experiences to our community, as well as provide a platform for young musicians to grow. We are fortunate to have an active Chorister program at St. George’s, as well as many talented young musicians in the Nashville area.
We want to highlight that blessing by opening the season with a fundraising event for the 2019 Ely Cathedral residency for our Choristers, and feature young musicians from Vanderbilt through our “Young Musicians Corner.” Please check out the events we have prepared for you during the 2017-2018 season. Our series is only possible through your generous donations.
For additional information about In Excelsis,or the friends of music committee,
please contact Woosug Kang at [email protected].
IN EXCELSIS CONCERT SERIES
PRESENTED BY THE FRIENDS OF
MUSIC COMMITTEE
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For a complete list of all of our upcoming musical events, please visit stgeorgesnashville.org.
First in the In Excelsis Concert Series
Evensong St. George’s has a unique gift to offer our congregation and the Nashville community—weekly Evensong ser-vices. Think of Evensong as musi-cal—or sung—Evening Prayer. This is unique in our modern day culture, and the fact we have not one, but two different formats of this ancient tradi-tion is remarkable. In addition to many liturgical aspects that are different than our Sunday morning worship expe-rience, Evensong does not typically include communion.
St. George’s offers both Choral Even-song and Plainchant Evensong—both of which are rooted in liturgy found in the Book of Common Prayer. Choral Evensong is primarily sung by the choir and the level of complexity and musi-cality is such that not many musicians can commit to it—making it rare in our modern day culture. The ability to sing a meaningful and beautiful Choral Evensong signifies that our choristers are well-trained and committed to this sacred form of worship. As the name suggests, Plainchant Evensong is chanted. What sets it apart from Choral Evensong is that musically it is both more simple (monastic chanting) and participatory. Our staff singers lead the congregation in a unified chanting of the liturgy.
Evensong–whether Choral or Plain-chant—is a way to calm and cen-ter yourself in the presence of the Lord. We are so blessed to be able to conclude our Sundays with this meaningful, solemn, and beautiful service before our hectic lives begin on Monday.
ComplineAt 9:00pm on most third Wednes-day nights, the church is dark, save the light of a hundred candles in the apse and chancel (behind the altar rail). Worshipers enter in silence; some choose to sit in the choir chairs behind the altar, while others sit unseen in the darkened Nave. As the incense rises, those present are given the rare gifts of silence, tranquility, and holy space.
At 9:15pm, the men of St. George’s Choir enter and take their places in the midst of the apse. For the next twenty-five minutes, the choir chants the monastic office of Compline, which has been offered by Christians for 1700 years as their last act before sleep. The service is sung in plain-chant with the exception of the hymn and the anthem, which are offered in four-part harmony, all unaccompanied.
Compline offers a completely different worship experience than any of our other service offerings at St. George’s. No expectation is placed upon the worshipers. As the choir follows the ancient liturgy of Compline, the worshiper is invited to simply dwell in divine presence. Today we seldom experience tran-quility unless we expressly plan for it; technology brings many blessings with it, but at a price. We invite you to take 30 minutes once a month to sit in the presence of God, free to worship as you will. Pray if you like or simply listen for the voice of God. It is our hope that at Compline you will experience the presence of God in a new and fresh way.
Nine Lessons and CarolsEach December St. George’s conti-ues a beloved Anglican tradition that is over 125 years old—the Service of Nine Lessons and Carols. This litur-gy, now a seasonal staple the world over, began as a slightly simpler carol service held at Truro Cathedral at 10:00pm on Christmas Eve in 1878. The Bishop of Truro standardized the service beginning in 1880, and Truro Cathedral has held the service ever since.
The service is most often associat-ed with Kings College, Cambridge. Kings first held the service in 1918 under Dean Eric Milner-White, who further refined the original liturgy; this included the introduction of the Bidding Prayer, which he consolidat-ed from prayers before each of the readings in the original form. The BBC broadcast the service in 1928, and has done so every year since except for 1930. Even during the Second World War with the windows removed and no heat, the service and broadcast went on.
Perhaps the most iconic feature of the service is the opening hymn—Once in royal David’s City—sung a capella by one boy.
Due to the pressure of the solo being watched live all over the globe, the Choirmaster prepares three boy Choristers before the fact, and at the proper time, simply points to one. The nine lessons, complemented by choir anthems and congregational hymns, tell the story of the fall of man, the promise of redemption, and the birth of the Savior. In the timeless words of the Dean Milner-White’s Bidding Prayer: “…[T]herefore let us read and mark in Holy Scripture the tale of the loving purposes of God from the first days of our disobedi-ence unto the glorious Redemption brought us by this Holy Child.” While commercialism continues to barrage us with themes entirely unrelated to a Christian understanding of the Nativ-ity, the Service of Nine Lessons and Carols bids us pause to remember the reason for, and the circumstances of Christ’s birth. The service is yet an-other gift afforded us by our liturgical tradition.
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CHORAL WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES by Dr. Woosug Kang & Gerry Senechal
CHORAL WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES by Dr. Woosug Kang & Gerry Senechal
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Church division is an affront to the Gospel (John 17 and Ephesians 4 as examples) and a scandalous reality that hinders and harms our public witness to the world. Therefore, it is imperative for the church to pursue healing
across denominations, wherever possible. Indeed as Carl E. Braaten lays out in In One Body Through The Cross: The Princeton Proposal For Christian Unity, “so long as church-es do not see themselves as agents of unity, division will not be seen as a matter that touches them.” Sadly, division in the church is an oft-cited reason among skeptics that our faith has not touched our hearts. We have a chance to demonstrate otherwise through an upcoming event entitled Common Prayer+Common Mission.
This event will occur on the Feast of Pentecost, Sunday June 4, 2017 when St. George’s will host a joint Evensong Service between the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nashville and the Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee.
Through Evensong we will pray together and hear from Bishop Bauerschmidt and a representative of Bishop Cho-by. We will also experience exquisite choral arrangements from the St. George’s Choir and the Dominican Schola from the Congregation of St. Cecilia. Afterwards you are in-vited to a BBQ reception, the proceeds of which will benefit local foster care children through the work of the non-profit organization, America’s Kids Belong. This gathering is a wonderful opportunity for you to walk alongside Christian brothers and sisters from another tradition, and to do so in joint prayer and mission that embodies the glorious unity that Christ has with his Father and that he desires for us: “The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one” (John 17:22).
For more information about this event, contact The Rev. Clint Wilson at
Common Prayer+Common Mission
SUNDAY JUNE 4, 2017ST. GEORGE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCHFROM 4:30 PM UNTIL MIDNIGHT
COMMON PRAYER + COMMON MISSION by the Rev. Clint Wilson
A special Evensong service with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nashville and the Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee.
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For more inforamtion about any upcoming musical service, contact at [email protected].
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FROM THE SEEDS OF MUSIC MINISTRY GROWS A MISSIONAL COMMUNITY By Laura Wright
Families gather for fellowship and to assist Helping Hands Community Development Corporation.
FROM THE SEEDS OF MUSIC MINISTRY GROWS A MISSIONAL COMMUNITY By Laura Wright
“Then Jesus made a circuit of all the towns and villages. He taught in their meeting places, reported kingdom news,
and healed their diseased bodies, healed their bruised and hurt lives. When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke.
So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd.‘What a huge harvest!’ he said to his disciples.
‘How few workers! On your knees and pray for harvest hands!”
Matthew 9:35-38 The Message Bible
When my husband and I were asked to consider starting a Missional Com-munity we were hesitant. Not because we didn’t want to, but because
we thought we weren’t ready to. Although we were yearning to find a deeper connection to others at St. George’s, we convinced ourselves that we were too busy, lived too far away (Nolensville), didn’t know enough people to reach out to, and that we simply weren’t equipped to lead.
Little by little our fears and hesitations were replaced with encouragement, opportunity, and excitement. In January, we reached out to a few families that we knew through the Chorister and St. Dunstan’s choir programs—as well as friends of ours outside the church—to join us for a monthly potluck meal and monthly outreach to Harvest Hands Community Development Cor-poration in South Nashville.
Our group grew out of a mutual understanding that our children are an integral part of who we are, and therefore are an integral part of our disciple-ship to others. Our monthly get-togethers consist of a meal and purposeful fellowship – including time for us to pray together, eat together, and talk
together, or as the children prefer, have Nerf gun wars together.
As we have become more confident in our rhythm as a group and have learned more about what specific needs are present at Harvest Hands, we have been able to identify several areas in which to focus our efforts. These include assisting in the afterschool enrichment program on a monthly basis, and pro-viding a monthly community meal for the families that Harvest Hands serves. Several adult members in our group have also volunteered to be “Prayer Partners” for some of the children who are experiencing difficult, unsafe situations once they leave the space at Harvest Hands. We feel this could possibly be the most important task—one that is completely focused on healing, restoration, and Christ.
Our journey as a Missional Community has just begun, but our hearts are filled with hope and excitement about the opportunities that God has and will continue to place before us! For more about Harvest Hands, visit harvesthandscdc.com
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ST. GEORGE’S CHOIR 2017-2018
Jan Allison
Mark Griffin Justin Kirby Allie Utley Claudia Padfield Billy DodsonSusan Keilholz
Carol Armes Jennifer Orth Laurel Fisher Renee Lancaster Katie Arata
Betty Henley Ben Petty Neil Redkevitch John Logan Wood
Woosug Kang
Not Pictured: Rachel Lapinski, Bess Gormley, Rebekah Alexander, and Elizabeth Nash12
John Fitzgerald
Mareike Sattler Suann Davis Joshua Lindsay Aaron Velthouse Dave Schmidt
Deborah Torgersen-Paul Amy Weeks Catherine Perry Tibby Christenberry Bob Christenberry
Bob Pitz
Diana Neely Kevin Carson
Making NoisesJoyfully The Faces of St. George’s Choir
Not Pictured: Rachel Lapinski, Bess Gormley, Rebekah Alexander, and Elizabeth Nash
Gerry Senechal
Debra Lee Williamson Laura Ross
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Chuck Brown
Luke Harnish
CHOIR CONVERSATIONSOne-on-one with Amy and Mareike
The St. George’s Choir raise their voices to create a dynamic worship experience.
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A Conversation with Amy Weeks
Q.Tell me little bit about you? How long have you been in the choir?
A.I’m an Ob/Gyn doctor at Vanderbilt, so St. George’s Choir has been my therapy and my social life for about 30 years. The choir is my family. I have a hard time being any-where else on Sunday morning. And I have a hard time talking about anything else— just ask my family or my co-workers. Or my patients.
Q.Could you share a fun memory from the choir?
A. Way back in the 80’s, we were doing some demo work for a local music publishing house. It was getting toward the end of a long recording session in the Nave, and we were on our third or fourth take of an anthem that no one was really enthusiastic about— but this take was going well, and we were almost at the end, and from across Harding Road we heard the train whistle blow. And from the back row we all heard this sweet little tenor (in his thick Southern accent) say, “I wish I was on that train.”
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A Conversation with Mareike Sattler
A Conversation with Amy Weeks
Q.What does it mean to you to be in the choir?
A.The best way to describe what it means to me to be in the choir is with a sports analogy. I’ve been a runner for many, many years, pretty much every day. And the famous “runner’s high?” It exists, and I’ve felt it a handful of times. Singing in the choir takes a lot of hard work and dedication. Under the right leadership, we are always working towards musical excellence and expressing worship the best we can, every note, every measure, every rehearsal, every service. But sometimes . . . sometimes we’re singing, and the Holy Spirit comes down, and I feel like a direct conduit for God. It can be a bit of text, or a particularly beautiful harmony that we’ve gotten right, or a chorister discovering a piece for the first time . . . and my eyes will be wet, and I might have to stop singing for a measure or two. And the people who have been in the choir for a while just smile, because they know the feeling too.
Q. What would you like to share with people about the choir?
A.Marvelous things are happening in the choir room. Come and sing with us.
Q.Tell me about a bit about you?
A.I grew up in Germany in a Lutheran household. My parents were musicians as well, and some of my earliest music memories are hearing my father, a minister, practicing chanted liturgy in his study before Sunday services. I often went with my mother, who played harpsichord or organ for local music ensembles, to concerts and church services.
Growing up, my choir master at my local church (St. Petri und Pauli Bergedorf) was very influential in shaping my ideas about the role of music in church, liturgical practices, and the primacy of the word in sacred music. Reflection on text and its musical expression in the liturgical context was always part of our rehearsals.
My husband Ted and I moved to Nashville in 1996, and I was pleasantly surprised to find a vibrant church music culture here. St. George’s introduced me to the Episcopal Church and its music, and it has been my musical home since then.In my non-church hours I am a lecturer in the An-thropology Department at Vanderbilt.
Q.How long have you been in the choir?e?
A.I have been a staff singer since the spring of 1997.
Q.What does it mean for you to be in the choir?
A.I love singing and making music with oth-ers. The act of singing unites individual people into one body in the creation of beauty for the glory of God. Somewhat selfishly, I enjoy employing my skills to help others in worship. At the same time, my own flickering flame of faith has been kept alive through music. I particularly enjoy rehearsing—the congre-gation only experiences the “end product” when we present a piece in the service. But I find a lot of satisfaction in the preparation of a piece of music, in working together in rehearsal to accomplish a common goal well.
Q.What is one of funnier moments you have-had in the choir over the years?e?
A.Germans have no sense of humor.
Q.What would you tell those who are interest-ed in joining the choir at St. George’s?
A.Just come and join us! Sharing in music making is a wonderful endeavor.
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What is your favorite memory as a chorister?
When we went to Edinburgh, St. Mary’s Cathedral in Edinburgh. We went to the same dimly lit room to rehearse and sing every day. It felt like we were really residing in
the space and leading worship.
What is your favorite service?
Easter Sunday with the brass [instruments] – and the opening hymn. Lessons & Carols is a great experience too, especially how the lessons line up with carols, and it really
flows. We also get to sing challenging music.
What is your favorite hymn?
Hymn 458—My Love is Love Unknown. I love the tune, and I love the descant Gerry wrote two years ago for the Evensong. (Gerry has a big smile on his face at this point
in the interview!)
How about a favorite anthem?
This is hard because there are too many. But I do love singing “O thou Central Orb” by Charles Wood. I remember singing that back in Edinburgh.
Who are your favorite composers?
Bairstow.(At this point in the interview Gerry high-fives himself.) I also admire Stanford, William Byrd,and also Wesley.
What would you tell others around your age about being a chorister?
It gives you a space to grow, and be more independent. It gives you an opportunity to think about yourself, especially if you want to pursue music seriously or not,
as a career, and think about who you are.
How do you feel about worship?
I feel comfortable now – I was more nervous before, especially serving and leading, but with everyone helping, I like it more. Music inspires you to care and
pay more attention to what is going on during worship.
What is it like to have both your parents as clergy?
It comes with perks...and sacrifices!
Rite I or Rite II?
I like Rite I – I feel it is more traditional, and it points us to our roots more as Episcopalians, and connects us to the past, which I think is important.
What is your favorite thing to do outside the church?
I love playing baseball and reading. And I loved traveling to Alaska as well.
THE CHORISTER’S PERSPECTIVE
Woosug Kang and Gerry Senechal Talk to Chorister Member Jack Blaess
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As you may know, our choristers have been invited to be the choir-in-residence at historic Ely Cathedral in England. This invitation shows how unique our Choristers Program
really is. Ely Cathedral is well known for its breathtaking architec-ture and it has a reputation for its glorious musical heritage and long history. Being the resident choir is different than simply being a visitor. We will represent their worship, liturgy, and music while we live there for a full week. Being invited to represent and lead their worship is a privilege and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Our choristers will be working hard to prepare musical settings be-tween now and then. The youth will learn discipline, be immersed in history, and live in community, all while honing the gift of singing.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?On the one hand, the music leadership team will work tirelessly to
make sure our Choristers are ready and confident so that they will
be able to fully absorb this experience. On the other hand, this is
not a cheap excursion. We are working towards the goal of raising
half of the cost for each Chorister so that each child can partici-
pate in this wonderful trip. The overall cost can be anywhere from
$3,000-$4,000. Please pray for our leadership and youth. You can
also participate in our upcoming fund-raising efforts!
If you would like to be part of this exciting journey, please contact
Woosug Kang at [email protected] for more
information about this wonderful opportunity.
ST. GEORGE’S CHORISTERS AREOFF TO ELY CATHEDRAL IN 2019!
by Dr. Woosug Kang
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St. Ely Cathedral
ROGER SENECHAL
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Along with staff and vestry leadership, I express great gratitude for the ministry of the Rev. Roger Senechal as a priest associate these past 10 years. Recently, Roger informed me of his decision to step down from this part-time role. While I am sorry to lose his presence on staff, I appreciate his desire to spend more time with Diana and his other hob-bies—astronomy, bee-keeping, cycling, and more! The good news is that Roger will continue ministering to our senior adults and home bound pa-rishioners on a volunteer basis. His last Sunday will be early this summer.
I vividly recall my very first conversation with Roger in 2006, feeling certain I wanted this good man and outstanding pastor on staff. I had no idea what blessings he would bring to so many over his ministry here, as well as to me personally. Join me in expressing your own gratitude to Roger as he transitions into full-time retirement.
NEWS&NOTES
SUMMER 2017
Recent Transitions at St. George’s
By the Rev. R. Leigh Spruill
We wish our Director of Youth Ministries Daniel Bradley much success as he leaves St. George’s to pursue a new professional opportunity here in the Nashville community.
Under Daniel’s patient and strong leadership we have witnessed important progress in deepening youth discipleship, not least through his easygoing but significant relationships with so many of our students and lay youth leaders. He is not only a great mentor but dear friend to our youth, per-haps especially during periods of challenge, stress, or sorrow.
We give thanks to God for Daniel’s time and ministry among us these past five years, and wish he and Caitlin well during this life transition.
SARAH PURYEAR DANIEL BRADLEY
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On behalf of the entire staff and vestry leadership, I share a deep gratitude for the ministry of the Rev. Sarah Puryear as a priest at St. George’s for the past seven years. Sarah has decided to step away from professional parochial ministry for this season in her life to focus on being a full-time mother to Hays and Evelyn. While I understand and support that decision, we will all miss very much having Sarah as a part of our staff.
She has been a tremendous blessing and asset to our ministries, and I offer personal thanksgiving to God for her priestly service to our congrega-tion. The good news is that the Puryear family will remain a vital part of our parish. Please join me in expressing your own personal gratitude to God and Sarah in her transition.
St. George’s Stewardship Campaign will begin anew this coming fall with renewed focus on increasing parish
participation. Our goal for St. George’s 2020 is 1000 pledging households.
The acompanying chart is a helpful tool for visualizing our pledging history to date. With your help, we can easily reach this goal. You are encouraged to par-ticipate and support St.George’s with a pledge at any time during the year!
Questions about stewardship? Contact Katie Agnew at
[email protected] or Laura Zabaski at
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ST. GEORGE’S 2020 GOAL 1000
900
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
2013
639 Pledges
2014
630 Pledges
2015
659 Pledges
NU
MB
ER
OF P
LE
DG
ES
2016
645 Pledges
2017
650 Pledges
STEWARDSHIP
Last year the Stewardship Standing Committee
implemented a multi-year and comprehensive stewardship ministry plan.
We are calling this approach
St. George’s 2020 which will situate our giving
within self-conscious gratitude for God’s blessings upon us.
We believe we should have even more of our parishioners
responding to these blessings with a financial pledge to the church.
By 2020 our goal is to have1,000 participating households. If we increase participation by
just 100 new households this year we will be well on our way
to achieving our goals.
FINANCIALS
PLEDGES
UNPLEDGED GIFTS
OTHER INCOME
EXPENSES
NET CASH FLOW
$1.600,000
$1.400,000
$1.200,000
$1.000,000
$800,000
$600,000
$400,000
$200,000
$0ACTUAL BUDGET PRIOR YEAR
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TREASURER’S REPORT April 2017 Year to Date
SO MANY WAYS TO GIVE • St. George’s 2020
THE CITYUnder the Giving tab you can quickly make a one-time donation or set up recurring donations onany day of
the month you choose. The City walks you through each step and saves your
information securely for future reference.
MOBILEText “George” to 73256 from your mobile phone or device. A link will be texted back
to you to make your gift with a credit or debit card through a secure site.
ONLINEVisit stgeorgesnashville.org and follow
the “Give Online” link to be directed to an online giving form where you can
make a donation.
BY MAILChecks can be mailed to:
St. George’s Episcopal Church4001 Harding Pike
Nashville, TN 37205Please make checks out to:
St. George’s Episcopal Church
2222
CALLED TO COMMUNITYThe Life
Jesus Wants For His People
Edited byCharles E. Moore
As I am intensely interested in helping cultivate a church community of be-longing for all who seek it, I have great appreciation for this anthology of brief writings on the essential social charac-ter of Christian living. Properly under-stood, Christian fellowship is not merely one aspect of church membership. It is an inevitable property of the faith itself.
The selections in this anthology come from across the Christian tradition, and I highly recommend it as a useful sourcefor reflection on the social nature of salvation.
— The Rev. R. Leigh Spruill
BOOKNOOK
This summer, third-year Master of Divinity student, Lisa Beyeler, will be serving her Field Education placement at St. George’s through Duke
Divinity School in Durham, North Carolina. Lisa is thrilled to be assigned to St. George’s because of its emphasis on worship, discipleship, and mission. Passionate about the intersection of theology and the arts, Lisa looks forward to learning from the clergy, vestry, and congregation about practical ways to engage the arts at St. George’s in order to promote spiritual engagement, ministerial development, and community outreach. Lisa works for DITA (Duke Initiatives in Theology and the Arts) and is pursuing a Certificate in Theology and the Arts. She looks forward to discovering new opportunities for collabo-ration between St. George’s and DITA.
A Pacific Northwest native, Lisa grew up in Seattle, Washington, and gradu-ated from the University of Washington with a degree in Landscape Archi-tecture, and minors in Architecture and Music. After graduation, Lisa spent nearly a decade working in both public and private sectors, contributing to projects for the City of Seattle, City of Portland, Seattle Center and Chihuly Garden and Glass, Madison Square Garden, the University of Washington, and numerous private estates across the nation. Additionally, Lisa has taught courses in landscape architecture, art and architectural history, intercultural studies, and aesthetics at multiple universities and Christian liberal arts col-leges. In her spare time, Lisa enjoys ikebana (Japanese flower arrangement), reading, container gardening, traveling, and finding the perfect cup of coffee.
WelcomeLISA BEYELER
Duke Divinity SchoolSummer Intern
20%OFF
Background Photo: Duke Chapel
Inreach shepherds step in to help smooth out
temporary rough spots in times of need for our
parishioners. Remember to call the Shepherd
of the Month or the parish office for short term
help with driving to doctor’s appointments,
letter writing, errands, clerical help, light
tasks, or other needs.
Want to be on our list of volunteers?
Please contact Jeanne Gore at 615-371-9078 or [email protected].
UpcomingSHEPHERDS OF THE MONTH
June Jan Ramsey 615-513-5410
JulyMichelle Cudd 615-804-2833
August Jeanne Gore 615-604-9856
INREACH 20%OFF
LITURGY OF THE ORDINARY: Sacred Practices In Everyday Life
byTish Harrison Warren
In this newly released book, Warren weaves thoughtful connections between our liturgy and daily living. An Anglican priest and writer, Warren tackles heady theological subjects like the communion of saints, ecclesiology, and Christian wor-ship, unpacking their implications for situ-ations we find ourselves in every day, like losing our keys, calling a friend, or getting stuck in traffic.
This book helped me look at even my most ordinary day with the eyes of faith.
— The Rev. Sarah Puryear
BOOK NOOK
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20%OFF
TRANSITIONS SUMMER 2017
BIRTHS
Reed Augustyson of Michelle and Tyler Augusty
Kyle Thomas Daughertyson of Sarah and John Daugherty
Catherine Carlisle Shelldaughter of Callie and William Shell
Amelia Dianna Smithdaughter of Kristi and Derek Smith
BAPTISMSKyle Thomas Daugherty
son of Sarah and John Daugherty
Anne Bennett Ellsworthdaughter of Kristen and Adam Ellsworth
Stafford Henry Grantson of Stephanie and Allen Grant
Brooks Middleton Howorthson of Hillary and Chip Howorth
James Jackson Jumperson of Johanna and Derek Jumper
Barton Porter Meadorsson of Graham and Porter Meadors
Estelle Rose Murriedaughter of Katherine and Jason
Murrie
Crews Bell Nunleyson of Abby and Jeff Nunley
Charles Watts Poirierson of Parker and Eddie Poirier
Garrett Alexander Richardsonson of Amy and Cory Richardson
Joseph Hart Ruehlingson of Shelby and Wick Ruehling
Phoebe Kate Russelldaughter of Donna and Paul Russell
Anne Rives Sharpdaughter of Kara and Kevin Sharp
Catherine Carlisle Shelldaughter of Callie and William Shell
Amelia Dianna Smithdaughter of Kristi and Derek Smith
Harrison Walker Underwoodson of Mary Spotswood and Joe
Underwood
DEATHSAndrew David Jackson Berry
Walter CampbellCathy Dealy Cowan
Geoffrey Edward DeZevallosHarriett Hulme FoleyFrank Scott Harris
Charles (Kim) P. Jackson IIIKatherine Kemper Lehman
Martha Anne Hackney LivengoodJames Edwin McDaniel
Joan Linden NeffJune Carlson Pearson
Margaret Ann Craig Robinson
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!Kemp Buntin
Anne Fisher ColeHal Corlew
De, Lauren, Amelia, Witt, and Harrison Dawkins
Cumberland, Mandy, Riley, Luke, and Genevieve Dugan
Casey FitzgeraldLauren Hansen
Karol and Wallace HiteTam Hicks Martin
Carolyn and Emma SteinerBrooke StevensonLynne Waterman
+Nursery for ages 6 weeks through 5 years will open 30 minutes prior to each service * Live video feed of this service at stgeorgesnashville.org
summer worship schedule
Non Profit Org.U.S. Postage
PAIDNashville, TN
Permit No. 1228
The Shield is a quarterly publication of St. George’sEpiscopal Church and is distributed to members and friends
to engage and inform readers about what is happening in the life of our church community.
Communications TeamThe Rev. Michael Blaess
Elizabeth Reavis, Director of CommunicationsSandra Beld, Communications Coordinator
Rebecca Teel, Parish SecretaryJoe King, Director of Lay Member EngagementLaura Zabaski, Parish Administrative Officer
Graphic DesignHunter Hodge
Contributing PhotographersAshley Heren, Kim King, and Elizabeth Reavis
On the cover: The St. George’s ChoirPhoto: Ashley Heren
SUNDAY SCHEDULE7:30am Holy Eucharist
9:00am The Table+
9:00am Sunday School+
10:00am Holy Eucharist*+
5:00pm Evening Prayer with Holy Eucharist
.5:00pm Evensong
SCHEDULE BEGINNING SUNDAY, AUGUST 277:30am Holy Eucharist
8:45am Holy Eucharist with Children’s Chapel*+
9:00am The Table*
11:15am Holy Eucharist*+
5:00pm Evening Prayer with Holy Eucharist
