FEEDING THE SPIRIT
“Be open to providing for healing prayer from time to time within the context of a rehearsal. Almost everyone has a need for some type of physical, mental, or emotional healing in their life. ”
Two strong texts to consider for singing include: “Touch the Earth Lightly” and “Abundant Life” (“We Cannot Own the Sunlit Sky”). Both can be found in various resources and are set to both new and familiar hymn tunes.
November remembering
In November, you may want to pray for and call to mind the faithful departed each week. After a simple intercession that entrusts the faithful departed to the mercy of God, consider inviting the choir to call out the names of any deceased family members or friends. Conclude this time of remembrance by singing a familiar Song of Farewell or the “In paradisum” chant. In my parish, as part of rehearsal prayer, we move or process to the “altar” of remembrance in one of the shrine areas of our worship space, where photos of the deceased are placed for the month of November.
Whether you rehearse in a specific rehearsal room or your church space, consider moving to a different place for prayer to distinguish this activity from the routine of rehearsal. Your rehearsal room can also have a simple area that can serve as a prayer focus for the group.
Advent anticipation and waiting
During Advent, you may want to have the choir gather near the Advent wreath to conclude your time of prayer with a familiar Advent hymn or even the South African song “Freedom Is Coming.”
Christmas
While the old and familiar carols are very important, so too are new texts. Try to find a new carol each year that will sing, “Incarnation” in new and unexpected ways. Remember to gather your music ministry for an evening of Christmas rejoicing and celebration! Parties outside of rehearsal are essential for growing in friendship, community, and solidarity.
You may also consider taking your music ministry “on the road” by caroling at a local extended care facility or nursing center. Te commitment needn’t last long, with several familiar carols and a choral Christmas piece or two to engage both memory and connection with the residents through your gift of presence, prayer, and song.
Lent
Invite music ministers to attend your annual parish retreat. Lent provides forty days to renew and grow in our baptismal call and journey with others to the font. Pray each week for your elect and candidates; some of them might even be in your choir!
Easter
During the Easter season, you may wish to gather around the baptismal font or near the paschal candle. Perhaps make this time a simple service of light, passing the light of the paschal candle, lighting individual taper candles and singing a familiar Easter carol, or a song that proclaims Christ as our light!
Troughout the year
Consider praying part of the Liturgy of the Hours at the beginning or end of rehearsal. Check out your hymnal or worship resource (or create your own) to see what is in place musically for settings of Morning, Evening, and Night Prayer. (Chanting compline once or twice a month will allow for the structure and beauty of the prayer to take root in the prayer life of your choir.) At various times of the year, the choir or ensemble could be instrumental in leading seasonal evening prayer for the parish. If rehearsal begins at 7:30 PM, perhaps evening prayer could be celebrated at 7:00 or 7:15 with musical leadership provided by the choir or ensemble.
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