The Oles are coming

I received my copy of the Bethany News a few days ago, so I know the word is now out there about the St. Olaf Choir's performance at Severance Hall at 7:30 on Feb 1st, 2010. I really want to encourage people to attend that performance, and I'll post a sign up sheet on the bulletin board to purchase group tickets at $25 each. It should be a night of great music and fellowship.

You might have heard the choir perform around the holidays. In fact, the Christmas Festival concert was this past weekend, and there will be more opportunities to hear them on the radio and see them on public television. You might also be familiar with their recording of Great Hymns of Faith, but of course it's even better to hear them perform live! This is a unique opportunity to hear a fantastic group at a reasonable price.

It also has never ceased to amaze me how many of the people I have met in the greater Cleveland area have never been to Severance Hall or haven't been there for a concert in years. We're so fortunate to have not only an incredibly beautiful building but also one of the world's great orchestras and other performances so nearby. It should be a fun night, so please join us for what should be an incredible concert, and be in touch with me if you want any more information.

Cleveland Catholics

Now that it's Wednesday, I've finally finished reading the Sunday edition of the Plain Dealer. (I remember there was a time when I subscribed to two daily papers and somehow had time to read them.) In between clipping coupons, scouring the Arts and Travel sections, and skimming the rest over the past few days, I kept thinking about the article about the closing of St. Adalbert's Catholic Church.

You can't be an engaged citizen in Cleveland lately without being aware of the challenges facing Catholic congregations, as well as the pain caused by the closing of so many churches around us. What bothered me especially about the article was the quote from a parishioner who feared that they would not be welcome because of their race. Having visited the online version of the article, the comments only worried me more!

What group of Christians, what church congregation worthy of such a title, would ever turn away new members at the door or not embrace them warmly as brothers and sisters? It would perhaps be unseemly to "recruit" new members from a closing parish, but certainly our morality and our basic human decency demand that we welcome all who come seeking to join in a worship service. These new members could contribute their own talents, personalities, experiences, and perspectives to enrich any congregation.

Welcoming new members and new generations also means adding to the musical repertoire. The discussion of this particular church focuses, of course, on traditional black music. Gospel music and spirituals sit partly at odds with traditional Lutheran hymns because of their tendency toward simpler lyrics and an emphasis on narrative over theology. Certainly, though, we can continue to make room for new tunes and texts. I can't say it's my personal strength, but it weighs on my mind regularly as I strive for diversity in our music.

The online comments have spent an inordinate amount of time discussing the racial divide and the fact that St. Adalbert's had statues depicting Jesus as a black man. (By the way, is that truly a radical idea in 2009?) We care so passionately about our imagery, language, and music in churches because they create a sense of belonging and continuity. If you don't think this issue matters at Bethany or in the ELCA, reconsider the experience of weekly worship from the position of a newcomer, consider the votes slated for the National Assembly about the rights of a minority group, and consider what we can all do to focus on fellowship and inclusion.

Fellowship and stewardship, Missouri style

Last Sunday I attended a new church during my vacation. It is always refreshing to sit in a pew for a change and not at the organ bench. I hear the music so differently, and I can learn from that perspective and incorporate new ideas into my own playing. I'll be writing more about the musical experience of last Sunday over the course of this week, but first I want to share the primary feature that I will remember about our worship experience: the incredible sense of welcome and stewardship from the pastor and congregation at St. Paul's Lutheran in Lohman, Missouri.

On their home page, Pastor Ed Merckel writes "I wish to extend a personal welcome to you to experience the joyful life here at St. Paul's." That is clearly not lip service; it is part of the driving philosophy of their ministry. Upon first entering the church, we were warmly greeted by not only the pastor but also several members of the congregation. Before we had even reached our seats, we had discovered a St. Olaf connection with a congregant's son, shared information about our travels, and been informed of the location of the basement restrooms.

The service abounded with participation: the VBS kids sang at the beginning of the service and the children's sermon brought quite a large group of kids to the front of the church. People looked you in the eye during the sharing of the peace and communion, as if consciously acknowledging each other as members of one community.

After the service, a woman seated in the pew behind us introduced herself and said, "I don't believe I know you." In a congregation of approximately 150 people, she both noticed the newcomers among them and took the time to welcome us personally. It simply amazed me the number of times that we were greeted and welcomed. Their congregation should be a model for every other church in its dealings with guests. This is not only good fellowship but good stewardship and outreach, just part of keeping a congregation dynamic and growing.

The church building itself is lovely, as you can see for yourself, and it's located in a beautiful, hilly portion of rural Missouri, just outside Jefferson City. It's unlikely I'll ever return to that church, but it was wonderful to stumble upon such a joyful and welcoming Lutheran congregation on my trip.