April 2019: Christ is Risen/Halle Halle

3/18/2019

In April we'll begin preparing to celebrate the Resurrection by learning two new songs.

First, an "Easter Troparion" set to a familiar Hasidic walking song tune:

Christ is risen--Alleluia*-- trampling (STOMP) down death by death!
Jesus lives, sing Alleluia, trampling (STOMP) down death by death!

This song is particularly fun because, honestly--who doesn't like stomping??

Next, a "Caribbean Hallelujah":

Halle, halle, halle----lu-u-jah (3x)
Hallelujah, Hallelujah!

Of all the possible settings of "Alleluia" we could sing, I chose this one for starters because of its fun Caribbean rhythm and the ease with which it can be integrated into daily life by inserting any number of phrases to replace the initial "halle, halle, halle."

For example, you can sing your way through a wide variety of chores and daily tasks:

Time to put our shoes on--Hallelu-u-jah! (3x)
Hallelujah, Hallelujah!

Gonna set the table--Hallelu-u-jah! (3x)
Hallelujah, Hallelujah!

Taking out the garbage--Hallelu-u-jah! (3x)
Hallelujah, Hallelujah!

You can also use the song as a sort of "refrain" to repeat and amplify the thanksgivings of various family members as part of a daily prayer time this month:

Giving thanks for cookies--Hallelu-u-jah! (3x)
Hallelujah, Hallelujah!

Giving thanks for sunshine--Hallelu-u-jah! (3x)
Hallelujah, Hallelujah!

We got to visit cousins--Hallelu-u-jah! (3x)
Hallelujah, Hallelujah!

I hope that you enjoy these songs, and the opportunity they present to bring a sense of joy and celebration into your everyday life!

* Note: Some churches and families make a big deal about "burying the Alleluia" at Mardi Gras and NOT saying or singing "Alleluia" at all during Lent. If this is an important practice in your family, you can wait until Easter, then START SINGING LIKE CRAZY! Or just practice the song on Sundays (which are not technically counted in the 40 days of Lent) until Easter, then START SINGING LIKE CRAZY! Or, if you'd rather, just start singing like crazy now. Jesus doesn't mind, and I won't tell.

Further Thoughts
from Mother Sylvia+

In traditional Ignatian Spirituality, a core spiritual practice is the "Daily Examen", or prayerful reflection on how God's Spirit is moving in one's life in terms of "consolations" and "desolations." A balanced spiritual life requires that we pay attention to both "consolations" AND "desolations", both "highs" AND "lows."

Last month, our "Song of the Month" invited us to daily reflection and sharing of burdens, hard and heavy things--what in a religious order we might call "desolations" or in a youth group we might call "lows." This month, our "Song of the Month" invites us to daily reflection and sharing of experiences of life and love--what in a religious order we might call "consolations" or in a youth group we might call "highs."

In particular, this month I invite you to pay attention to where you notice life, and feel most alive. "Resurrection" or "New Life" isn't just something that happens after we die. God is bringing forth new life--in and around us--ALL THE TIME! When we pay attention to where and how God is enlivening us, we can more fully participate in God's work of resurrection in our lives and in the world!

Questions
to ponder and discuss daily

When did you feel MOST ALIVE today or what feels like it is giving you life and vitality?

When did you feel LEAST ALIVE today or what feels likes it's draining your life and vitality?

Practice
Embracing Life

Place a flower, plant, or other reminder of new life in a place where you can see it

Reflect on the daily questions, above.
Sing our "Songs of the Month" with movements to amplify your song/prayer: STOMP down everything that drains life and joy; REACH OUT to embrace everything that brings life and joy; CLAP to celebrate God's gifts of life and joy!

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Song of the Month

In early 2019 I began serving as assisting priest at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Albuquerque. St. Mark's is home to a diverse and rapidly growing faith community as well as a Montessori Preschool that serves ~50 preschool children and their families.

One of my first areas of focus at St. Mark's will be to explore creative ways to support the spiritual growth of St. Mark's families, not only at church and school, but also at home throughout the week.

We'll begin our exploration with a "Song of the Month." Each month we'll offer a simple song as an "anchor" for spiritual reflection and growth throughout the month. Parents and other adults in the St. Mark's community are encouraged to learn the song and access further materials for reflection online. Children will practice the song each week in Children's Chapel. Children will be invited to share the song with the entire St. Mark's community during worship (as the offertory anthem) on the 4th Sunday of each month.

If you are the parent/caregiver of a very young child (age 0-2), your child will still benefit enormously from daily exposure to the "Song of the Month". Even though they aren't yet singing, you can be sure they are already listening to you and learning! Experiment with incorporating the song into any part of your daily routine--waking, sleeping, bathing, dressing, diaper change, etc. From an early age, you can help your child establish a pattern of life in which prayer, spiritual practice, and song are a natural part!

If you are the parent/caregiver of an older child (age 3+) try incorporating the song and one short, thematically linked reflection question, action, or prayer into your daily routine--maybe at mealtime, at bedtime, or even during your daily commute.

If you are a teenager or adult with no young children at home, find a way to work the song into your daily routine--perhaps while your showering, driving, or cooking. Discuss the theme or reflection question with a friend or partner--or set aside some time to journal, draw, paint, blog or reflect in some other creative way on your own.

Sunday School Teachers and Small Group Leaders: Consider incorporating the "Song of the Month" or one of the relevant reflection questions into your own sessions, classes, or meetings each month if appropriate.

Everybody: Have fun! Sing out! Experiment! And above all--share your experiences and insights with one another and with me!