Finding True North #29: One Voice

Yesterday, I got to sing The Wailin' Jennys in church.

I have had some great opportunities in worship and the arts this summer, thanks in no small part to working with Brenda Freije, the Pastor of Discipleship and Formation at North and the pastor of Lockerbie Central, who is a phenomenal musician. Brenda, Anne Moman (the NUMC youth director) and I got together as a trio and sang The Wailin' Jennys' song "One Voice" in worship.

This is the sound of one voice
One spirit, one voice
The sound of one who makes a choice
This is the sound of one voice
This is the sound of one voice

We didn't just sing it though—we used it as a prayer response. Kevin, the senior pastor, crafted some beautiful petitions that all closed with, "Lord, as we speak," to which the congregation responded, "Help us also to listen," and in between sections of the prayer, Brenda, Anne and I sang a verse of "One Voice." It worked so well that we just used the prayers and song again last night at Lockerbie Central.

This is the sound of voices two
The sound of me singing with you
Helping each other to make it through
This is the sound of voices two
This is the sound of voices two

It was certainly different (at least from my experience here) to have a guitar and microphones in North's sanctuary, but part of what I love about the worship here is that it is definitely traditional but with space and freedom built in. That kind of integrity and flexibility in worship is something I love.

This is the sound of voices three
Singing together in harmony
Surrendering to the mystery
This is the sound of voices three
This is the sound of voices three

After worship, a church member asked me if I knew when I got here that I'd have so many opportunities to use my artistic gifts. I told her that I had hoped to be able to, but I couldn't have known just how I was going to be engaged in that respect. She commented that not many churches have opportunities like that. Welcome to one of my biggest fears about getting an appointment after graduation.

This is the sound of all of us
Singing with love and a will to trust
Leave the rest behind, it will turn to dust
This is the sound of all of us
This is the sound of all of us

But you know what? With all the experiences I've had with the arts and worship not only this summer but last school year through New Creation Arts Group and Goodson Chapel, and with all the opportunities I've had over the years to incorporate artistic expression into my faith journey, there's no way that won't be a part of my ministry, wherever I am and whatever I'm doing. If I've learned anything in my engagement with the arts, it's that even the smallest bursts of creativity can draw people into the life of faith in powerful, dynamic ways. Maybe one day I'll use the "One Voice" prayers again; or maybe I'll be in a place where the congregation can create its own prayers and song.

This is the sound of one voice
One people, one voice
A song for every one of us
This is the sound of one voice
This is the sound of one voice