Twilight Vigil
You know that you're excited when you can't sleep. We just finished our last practice before St. Mark's around 11pm Tuesday night. It's 2am and I'm still pretty alert and my head is alive with ideas. I've also run into a few other late night musicians online and learned from one that Psalm 127 states that God grants sleep to those He loves. We both hope we're still included in that even though each of us stays up late often.
I have to say I feel very privileged to be working with the musicians in this group AND the others who are working to make this night possible. Its been mentioned before that the mere fact we're playing St. Mark's is pretty beyond the original expectation. I'd have to add now, after practice tonight, that the sheer joy of musical collaboration has blown me away too. It seems we have formed a mutual admiration society of sorts and I'm excited to see all of you Friday as I am sure we will like you too!
Excited! But still at a loss to describe to everyone what to expect. That has been the hardest part honestly. The word that keeps coming to my mind right now is "space". Urban Hymnal was formed by many of us who enjoy epic and dynamic music, but often find that it's not really practical for church as far as singability and accessibility. We wanted, through this music, to give ourselves permission and space to worship outside the confines. Also, I've often been at concerts where the music is so moving that it transports me and I often wish that I was not confined to my seat and could take a row to myself and my journal and just write, or draw, or lie down and soak things in. So my other hope is that we create space in that manner - space to respond and receive instead of merely consume.
Part Compline. Part concert. Part living room. Part sing along. Part art gallery?
So, bring your journal if you like that sort of thing! Or your colored pencils or just yourself and enter with us into the longest night of the year, during advent - the season of waiting and expecting. May we encounter God in our longing. See you there.
I have to say I feel very privileged to be working with the musicians in this group AND the others who are working to make this night possible. Its been mentioned before that the mere fact we're playing St. Mark's is pretty beyond the original expectation. I'd have to add now, after practice tonight, that the sheer joy of musical collaboration has blown me away too. It seems we have formed a mutual admiration society of sorts and I'm excited to see all of you Friday as I am sure we will like you too!
Excited! But still at a loss to describe to everyone what to expect. That has been the hardest part honestly. The word that keeps coming to my mind right now is "space". Urban Hymnal was formed by many of us who enjoy epic and dynamic music, but often find that it's not really practical for church as far as singability and accessibility. We wanted, through this music, to give ourselves permission and space to worship outside the confines. Also, I've often been at concerts where the music is so moving that it transports me and I often wish that I was not confined to my seat and could take a row to myself and my journal and just write, or draw, or lie down and soak things in. So my other hope is that we create space in that manner - space to respond and receive instead of merely consume.
Part Compline. Part concert. Part living room. Part sing along. Part art gallery?
So, bring your journal if you like that sort of thing! Or your colored pencils or just yourself and enter with us into the longest night of the year, during advent - the season of waiting and expecting. May we encounter God in our longing. See you there.
2 Comments:
Tara, we've spoken about these ideas for so long now, and yet I've never heard you describe the desire to journal/process at a concert. Of course. Of course. I may just bring my black book with me and let you do my singing parts.
Tara-
I was at the service last night at St. Mark's...unbelievable. The music and video (Lindell is a friend of mine...) was an amazing service of transcendence, peace and beauty. I had a wonderful conversation with Mark the guitarist afterward. I've been a worship leader/emergent-lurking-wanna-be for a long time and this touched my soul like no other service i've been to in ages...i look forward to the next event. If you need a place to host, let me know. I talked with Karen Ward about a possible collaboration with SPU and First Free Methodist...we need these events for our community. God Bless you and let me know how I can support future projects.
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