Dearly Beloved,
I am resting in the feeling of familiarity and also newness as I slip back into my role as pastor, as I hear stories about your summers, as I bring my own sharing to bear, as I catch up on news and goings-on and comings-up.
Perhaps you know that music is a huge part of Zulu and Ndebele cultures (the communities I grew up in in South Africa and Zimbabwe). The churches I attended were small and/or rural and so could not afford musical instruments. All of our music was acapella, punctuated by the rhythm of stamped feet and clapping. Someone always led the singing and, as a preacher, you knew you'd gone too long when one of the congregation's song leaders interrupted you with the beginning of a song. Transitions, moments of waiting, all of these were marked by music, and specifically song. Here in the United States, I grew up with folk music: Bob Dylan; Simon and Garfunkel; Peter, Paul, and Mary as well as rock and pop. In all three countries (South Africa, the United States, and Zimbabwe), I grew up on church hymns and protest songs.
Music speaks to our spirits in ways that words often fall short of. Song joins our voices in ways that conversation never can -- diversity of voice is an acknowledged gift when it comes to singing, for harmony requires difference. Singing together provides a shared experience of unity -- not sameness, but togetherness in all of our difference. And song has long kept people synchronized when working (rowing, laboring in the fields, or even working factory floors). Song speaks our deepest longings, gives voice to our hidden griefs and can give our joy wings.
In this season, we will turn to song to center our worship. Each Sunday, our worship will center around a selected song or hymn, and scripture, liturgy and reflections will take inspiration from that song. Nicoletta and I hope that just as those who have gone before us have found solace, faithfulness and hope in music, we will do the same this season.
THIS Sunday, in addition to beginning our autumn season and sharing communion, we will hear Katherine ("Katie") Martinez's reflections on belonging. Katie is a relatively new member of our congregation and has years of pastoral experience here in Loveland and beyond. Because we missed joys and concerns this past Sunday, we will share them in the traditional way this week, though it will look different for the rest of the autumn season. (Don't worry! We'll go back to sharing them at greater length again come Advent).
Finally, please do bring water from your summers! We will share and bless that water during our children's time this week. If you can't make it or forget your water this Sunday, you can bring that water anytime this fall. It will be used for baptisms and any other blessings/rituals using water.
It is so good to be church together!
With much love,
Thandiwe
