Hymn writer Susan Palo Cherwien writes:
“Singing together is one of the most important things the Christian community does together in worshiping God. We sing into ourselves, into each other, into the universe, holy stories, holy truths, wisdom, beauty. We are shaped into one body by singing together holy songs. We begin to vibrate together. We are changed. Into what are we being shaped by the songs that we sing?”
Renowned opera singer Renée Fleming has helped spearhead a collaboration among the National Institutes of Health, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts called “Sound Health” that supports research into the effects of music on the brain and the potential use of music and singing to treat symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, stroke, chronic pain, mental illness, and more.
When we open ourselves, our congregation, to relationship, we should expect to be surprised. When we begin with relationship, we are already creating open space for something new and surprising to emerge, something mutual, something life-giving to both our neighbors and our congregation. What surprising new partnerships might emerge as we begin to be in deeper relationship with our community?
