Singing Our Faith

DR. MARK WHITMIRE AND VIRGINIA EWING WHITMIRE
How many times have you heard us encourage everyone to join a choir? Thirty-two times, perhaps? Often, our invitation has been, “The time to join us is now!” But this year, more than ever, the time truly is now.

This fall, we will offer powerful, transformative music—and you can be an integral part of it. We love having so many people who listen attentively from the pews, but singing in a choir offers an entirely different experience. Over weeks of rehearsal, you come to know great music deeply, embedding in your heart, mind, and soul not only the notes but also the spirit and meaning of the words.

You also share that experience with fellow parishioners who sing, becoming part of a remarkable community. Because our music is carefully chosen to illuminate the appointed scriptures, choristers often hear the readings and lessons with new ears.

This fall’s musical offerings for adults are especially rich.

In addition to singing every-other Sunday at the 10:00 service, The West Gallery Choir will sing at our annual U2 Celtic Mass and at the Service of Advent Lessons and Carols—a beautiful way to prepare for the Christmas season. On Christmas Eve, the West Gallery Choir will lead our new 1:00 PM service.

In addition to singing every-other Sunday at the 10:00 service, The Parish Choir will sing two services of Evensong, an exquisite offering of candlelight, prayer, scripture, and music. The choir will also lead a Choral Eucharist featuring beautiful settings of the Gloria, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei. Finally, on Christmas Eve, the choir will sing Handel’s Messiah at Midnight Mass.

Our Cherub, Children’s, and Youth Choirs have been at the heart of the music program from the beginning. They sing once a month at the 10:00 service, plus at the Christmas Pageant. The Youth Choir also sings at Advent Lessons and Carols. In choir children learn the anthems and hymns that can sustain their faith throughout their lives. These are the songs through which they will express life’s greatest joys and find comfort during its most difficult moments. Like many of us, they may wander away from the church after high school. Yet the familiarity and comfort of beloved hymns can one day help lead them home.

Whether you are an adult who might want to sing or the parent of a child who wants to sing, there has never been a better time to join us. Come sing, grow in faith, find your voice and become part of this extraordinary community.

Soli Deo Gratias