A line from one of my favorite movies, Aliens, is when Ripley says to the marine sergeant aboard the Sulaco,
“I feel like sort of a fifth wheel around here. Is there anything I can do?” Smiling, he looks at her and asks, “I don’t know,
is there anything you can do?”
This past weekend we completed a three week series about Time, Talent, and Treasure at St. Ann’s. It caused me to once again reflect upon the
many people who help make our Music and Audio/Visual ministry what it has become.
I’m amazed when I think about the number of people who add so many different
talents to the 8 liturgies every Saturday and Sunday at our large parish: 44 singers, 3 drummers, 8 guitarists, 4 keyboardists,
3 flautists, horn players, etc. Then there are 7 who run Pro-Presenter for the
lyrics and videos, 5 audio operators, 6 setup and teardown…the list goes on. Everyone
pitching in. Everyone sharing their talents.
Everyone doing something. Of
those 80+ people, we have one full-time, one part-time, and only 2 remunerated
musicians (2 masses) ‘on staff.’ Everyone simply gives of their time and talent. This
is one of St. Ann’s greatest treasures!
Just as Ripley wanted to do something to help out, there are, without a doubt, countless others
in the pews who feel the same way. Maybe they don’t walk right up and ask
outright if they can help. Maybe they hang around afterward and comment on how
nice something was, or how ‘cool’ something sounded, or how much fun it must be
to run AV for a liturgy. That might be their way of saying, “You know, I’d
really like to get involved.” Not
everyone is as bold and fearless as Ripley!
Just like the sergeant, we need to seize the moment when
someone approaches us. Often times,
if someone says to me, “You know, music has always been one of the things that
really draws me into the liturgy” I will follow that up with, “Me, too. Do you
play or sing? Are you a musician, too?”
THEN the conversation gets started. I’ve met some wonderful musicians
who are now some of my best friends this way. Sometimes we just need to ask someone, “Is there anything you can do?” I won’t lie…I almost always follow that up (smiling) with a very upbeat: “Are you good at it?” It shows them that you care about the job–that it’s an important responsibility. I think you will almost always get an honest answer. It’s important that we don’t just fill vacancies, but rather seek out those who have the passions, gifts, and talents for specific needs. Invite them, encourage them, and support them along the way.
Sometimes a person might be really interested in a certain aspect of music or AV, but it turns out that is not their strong point. Still, their willingness to serve and share their time is a gift in itself. In those cases meet with them and gently steer them toward another area that calls for their specific talent.
Sometimes we need to take the initiative and ask people if they would be willing to share their gifts and talents. Perhaps you know of a talented singer who could really add to the music at the liturgy, or someone who is tech-savvy to help with the AV team, or a really organized person that can help get the music library under control and send out emails to the choirs, or an early-riser who could help out on Sunday mornings to get the music room ready, or someone who works at a print company to help out with song sheets...there are countless ways to involve people.
God gave all of us...each of us...different gifts. It has to be this way, or we would all be good at the same thing and everything else would suffer! Imagine a liturgy with just flutes, or just drummers, or just 25 guitars (wait, we’ve all seen that one...and we all suffered! J) Different people…different gifts…all working together.
Time, Talent, and
Treasure…all three… are so vital to the life of a parish. Perhaps, this
week, we should all make a conscious effort to say a kind ‘thank you’ to those
who have committed themselves to serving the church. At the same time, let’s be
ready for the opportunity to invite someone into ministry when the opportunity
arises and ask them, “Is there anything you can do?” or maybe, more appropriately, “What is it that you can do for our parish?”
NOVEMBER 18, 2012 – 33rd SUNDAY in OT (B)
(These songs are off of my planning notes for this particular Sunday, which means I am strongly considering using them on these days. After each title I’ve added some thoughts to consider.)
(Click on titles for links to their respective pages.)
Awake to the Day by Ed Bolduc (WLP) – as Mark says in today's gospel, "...the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky..." verse one of this song declares there will be "signs in the sun and the moon and the stars...we prepare for you, Lord." The opening haunting piano figure sets a tone that draws the listener in. An assembly part in the verse helps make this a 'quick learn.' Be careful not to play the 6/8 time signature like a waltz! Listen to the recording. This song can be used throughout the upcoming Advent season. (From the CD Awake to the Day)
Suggested use: Entrance/Gathering, Song of Preparation/Offertory
Everlasting God by Brenton Brown/Ken Riley (CCLI) – "Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord." I find that this song works equally well as a gathering song, offertory song, or even sending forth. One of the biggest mistakes we can make is to play it too fast. Allow the words to be singable. They are simple, but powerful. The refrain is so memorable and inviting that one can't help but sing and pray along. Find the right tempo, practice it, and stick to it.
Suggested use: Entrance/Gathering, Preparation/Offertory, Dismissal/Sending Forth
Find Us Ready by Tom Booth (OCP) – Today's gospel tells us that no one knows the day or the hour. Verse one of this song states, "We must wait for the Lord for we know not the time." This assembly-friendly melody is set in a nice, steady gospel feel. As always with gospel style music, tempo is so important. Not too fast or too slow. Listen to Tom's recording. Start simply, building as you go. A single guitar or keyboard is all that is needed to draw people into singing. (From the CD Find Us Ready)
Suggested use: Entrance/Gathering, Preparation/Offertory, Second Communion
Holy, Holy by Jacob Villalobos, Matthew Leon, Michael Paul Leon (WLP) – a simple, repeating motive in the verse makes this an easy song to learn almost immediately. The refrain has a different melody, but also uses its own recurring motive. Recorded in A-flat we have transposed this into a more assembly-friendly key. (F - with capos, of course) The whole church can sing the entire song- verses and refrain. The text lends itself to a powerful song of praise after communion. (From the CD Every Day)
Suggested Use: Preparation/Offertory, Second Communion
Jesus, Messiah by Carson/Tomlin/Cash/Reeves (CCLI) – A beautiful, singable melody for the assembly. Let the song build. The recording is a great tool for reference, but really make it work for the liturgy.
Suggested Use: Entrance/Gathering, Preparation/Offertory, Second Communion
Soon and Very Soon by Andre Crouch (CCLI)– A classic hymn, often played in a gospel-style. If you usually play this song as an upbeat song of dismissal, consider changing it up this week: put down the instruments, slow down the tempo, dim the lights, and sing almost 'a cappella,' letting the voices carry the song without all of the added instruments. Most times a change such as this will bring new life to a song that is often song the same way over and over.
Suggested use: Second Communion (slow), Dismissal/Sending Forth (upbeat gospel)
Worthy Is the Lamb by John Angotti (WLP) – The second reading today speaks of Jesus as the high priest who "offered one sacrifice for sins, and took his seat forever at the right hand of God." This song from John's liturgical collection Joy Beyond Our Dreams is in a comfortable range for the assembly. Let a cantor/soloist carry the verses if desired. Though the recording is very full, with lots of vocal parts and instruments, it can easily be done in a 'stripped down' style.
Suggested use: Preparation/Offertory, Second Communion
Please share your song ideas with me and I will post as many as I can so we can all share our knowledge of resources. Remember, what works for one parish might not work for another. We should be open-minded to all styles and preferences of music. As long as the music serves the liturgy, it may be listed here.
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