 Our Song of the Month comes to us from the people in South Africa. You can enjoy a lively video here of people at the South African "International World Changers" conference dancing and singing the song together in 3 languages: Ndebele, English, and Dutch. We will sing the song in English, with one key word in Ndebele: Njalo (pronounced "Jalo"--the 'n' is silent), which means "Always."  Njalo! Njalo! Njalo! Njalo! (2x) Always we pray, Always we give, Always we bless. Always! (2x) The people of South Africa have been through many challenges--apartheid, racial violence and segregation, poverty, HIV/AIDS. This song and their example of faith and courage remind us that, as people of faith we ALWAYS pray, we ALWAYS give, and we ALWAYS praise God--in hard times and in happy times, alike.
How will you pray? How will you give? How will you bless both God and your neighbor TODAY?
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 In the circle of the church year, January 6th marks the end of the Christmas Season and the beginning of the season of Epiphany. Epiphany is a season of light and enlightenment. This month our Song of the Month is actually a medley of two gospel music favorites: This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine Glory, glory hallelujah, when I lay my burdens down! Glory, glory hallelujah, when I lay my burdens down! What does it mean to let our light shine? It means letting the creative, loving, life-giving light of God shine through us!
  St. Mark's kids will share our December Song of the Month twice on Sunday, December 22nd--as the offertory anthem for our morning service (9:30AM) and as the grand finale for our Christmas Pageant (5PM, followed by potluck supper.) The song can be found in the blue Hymnal 1982, hymn #92. The words of the refrain are: Ideo gloria in excelsis deo! (Latin for "Therefore, glory to God in the highest!" ) ALL St. Mark's kids are encouraged to learn the REFRAIN and the FIRST VERSE of the song in preparation for December 22nd. On this day earth shall ring with the song children sing to the Lord Christ our King born on earth to save us him the Father gave us Ideo-o-o, Ideo-o-o Ideo gloria in excelsis Deo! We'll do a simple dance along with the song, which you can learn and practice with us, below. ALL St. Mark's children and youth are welcome to participate in the Christmas Pageant. The pageant is a low-stress, high joy celebration for all ages. This year's pageant includes "speaking parts" for 4 principle narrators, a few small speaking parts, and lots of non-speaking parts. We also need lots of teens and big kids to help "shepherd" smaller animals and angels through the pageant! You can read through a draft script of this years pageant here. We will hold Christmas Pageant rehearsals in the church and fit children for costumes during the Education Hour (in place of Sunday School) from 11AM-Noon on Sundays 12/8, 12/15, and 12/22. I encourage you to find creative ways to integrate this song into your family's daily prayers this month. Set aside some time to read or share a Nativity story, or to list all the blessings you can from the past day (or week, or year). Then respond to the story and/or your blessings by singing the song refrain: Ideo-o-o, Ideo-o-o
Ideo gloria in excelsis Deo! ("Therefore, glory to God in the highest!" )  As St. Mark's kids are growing more confident singing, we're able to begin exploring more challenging music! The tune for this month's song comes from a traditional English folk tune called "Dance to your Daddy." In honor of Thanksgiving, we're replacing the traditional lyrics with something simpler: Give thanks to God! Give thanks to God! Give thanks to God! Give thanks to God! Of course, as always you can mix up the lyrics and make up your own verses at home to offer thanks for any of God's many blessings! Give thanks for family! Give thanks for friends! Give thanks for food! Give thanks to God! What's especially fun (and a little bit tricky) about this song is that it's in a compound meter...that means that some parts of the song are in a triple meter (like a waltz) and some parts of the song are in a duple meter (like a march.) If you wanted to count out the music, you'd count it like this: 1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3 1, 2 1, 2, 3 With a song like this, adding movement to the music actually makes this song EASIER (rather than harder) to sing, because your body can remind you of the rhythm. Go ahead and try it! Nobody's watching you. (Just don't be confused that I keep changing the lyrics on the video. Just stick with "Give thanks to God." ) I encourage you to give it a try, then find some way to incorporate this song and dance of gratitude into your family's Thanksgiving celebrations this year! Give thanks for children! Give thanks for adults! Give thanks for elders! Give thanks to God! Give thanks for singing! Give thanks for dancing! Give thanks for praying! Give thanks to God!   October is such a glorious golden month in New Mexico. If your kids are anything like mine, they are already busy planning for Halloween. In addition to offering ample opportunities for creativity and fun, our preparations for Halloween (and the constellation of related celebrations surrounding it--Dia de los Muertos, All Souls Day and All Saints Day) offer opportunities to explore other important aspects of our spiritual lives, as well. How do you and your family understand, experience, and embody the relationship
At St. Mark's, our celebration of the season is punctuated by a Dia de los Muertos Celebration (evensong, feast, dance, and ofrenda creation) on Saturday, October 26th and culminates in our All Saints Sunday celebration on Sunday, November 3rd. Our Song(s) of the Month celebrate our confidence in the continuity of life--of praise, worship, celebration, and relationship--between earth and heaven. These songs can be sung in sequence (one after the other) OR they can be sung together in harmony. I wonder what the relationship between these two songs might have to teach us about the relationship between authenticity and disguises, fear and courage, life and death? 
  The world outside us is noisy and busy. Sometimes the world inside us is noisy and busy, too. When we come into church we need to take time To slow down To quiet down To get ready to come close to the Mystery of God In silence And stillness And stories And prayers This month's "Song of the Month" is a song that may already be familiar to some of you from St. Mark's worship or Godly Play classes. The lyrics come directly from the Bible (Psalm 46:10). The melody is by John Bell. Be still and know that I am God Below is a recording of Father Christopher singing the song. And here is a recording of Johanna, Lucia and me singing the song as a round. In order to support children (and adults) at St. Mark's in "getting ready" to find stillness and listen to God in worship, we've created an Altar of Preparation (see photo, above) at the back of the worship space. This Altar of Preparation offers a variety of special objects and practices to help us get ready to pay attention and find God in the church and in our hearts. We hope that you'll take some time to explore these objects and practices yourself, and that you'll actively support the children in your life and in our church in exploring and incorporating these practices as part of their regular routine for preparing for worship. The Icon The Icon An icon is like a “window” we look through to see God. Greet the icon with a gentle touch or holy kiss. The Water The Water The water reminds us of creation. All living things need water to live and grow. The water reminds us of washing. Water makes everything clean and new. The water reminds us of baptism. In Baptism we remember God saying, “You are my beloved child. With you I am well pleased.” Gently touch the water with your fingertips. Then gently touch your head, your heart, your left and right shoulders with the water Making a sign of the cross. Remember that God is here right now. God is within you and around you In your head and in your heart On your left and on your right. The Oil The Oil The fragrant oil reminds us of the Holy Oil used to anoint prophets, priests, and kings in ancient times. The fragrant oil reminds us of the Holy Oil priests still use to anoint people for baptism and for healing. The fragrant oil reminds us of the frankincense and myrrh the mysterious magi brought as gifts for the Baby Jesus: Frankincense for God; Myrrh for Humanity Place one drop of oil in the palm of your hand, and rub your hands together until it is warm. Bring your hands to your face and take three deep, slow breaths allowing the fragrance to fill you The Colors The Colors The colored jewels remind us of the special colors that mark each day and season in the circle of the church year. Hold a jewel in the palm of your hand. How does the color make you feel? What does this color make you think of? Where else can you see this color? In the church? In the world? Why do you think this is the color for today? The Candles The Candles The candles remind us that Jesus is the light of the world. The candles remind us that God’s Word is a light for our path. The candles remind us that Jesus says “YOU are the light of the world.” Light a candle. Watch the light. Say a prayer. And speaking of candles, I want to alert everyone to a NEW LITURGICAL MINISTRY OPPORTUNITY FOR KIDS AT ST. MARK'S: The Ministry of "Light Bearers"  Once you have taken a few moments at the Altar of Preparation to help your child get ready for worship, ask your child if they might like to help with the liturgy that's about to begin. Children at St. Mark's are now invited to serve as "light bearers" to help light the way for the HOLY GOSPEL during our Entrance Procession and our Gospel Procession in worship each week. ALL are welcome to participate! Here's what you need to know to support the full participation of children as "light bearers" in our weekly liturgy:
If your child would like to receive additional training to carry the Children's Cross or Gospel in procession, just contact Mother Sylvia and we'll set up a time to practice! I'm usually free to meet and practice on Sunday mornings before the liturgy.  August's Song of the Month comes from my friend and colleague, the Rev. Kerri Meyer. The text was inspired by a quote by writer Arundhati Roy. Kerri conceived of the song for use in public protest marches, but it is useful in any context in which we recognize the necessity of renewal, conversion, transformation, and hope. The first verse represents Kerri's original text. Additional verses have been added (with her blessing.) Another world, another world is not just possible It's on its way (2x) And I can see it coming And I can hear it singing It's not just possible It's on its way. (2x) Another world, another world is not just possible It's on its way (2x) And I can see the children And I can hear creation It's not just possible It's on its way. (2x) Another world, another world is not just possible It's on its way (2x) And I can see it dancing And I can hear it praying It's not just possible It's on its way. (2x) For further reflection and discussionI think we too often forget (or deny, or ignore) the particular prophetic vocation of children and youth. Perhaps because they are usually less exhausted, cynical, and jaded than adults, they are often the ones who can offer the fresh perspective, renewed energy, and restored hope that we all so desperately need if we are going to continue to do the work of building/revealing God's Kingdom on earth.
Spend some time this month (if possible with a young person) reflecting on these questions:
 Our pattern of prayer in the Episcopal Church is one that shapes us for empathy and action. It is a pattern of prayer that helps us balance an inward focus with an outward focus, and trains us to notice and respond to the needs of others. It is normal (and healthy) for a child's prayers to begin with those closest to them--family members, pets, best friends. The Book of Common Prayer offers us a pattern of prayer that can help people of all ages build a habit for praying, not only for those who are near to us, but for the whole world. The Prayer Book instructs us to include at every Eucharist, our prayers for:
For Children's Chapel at St. Mark's, we've set aside 6 small jars with visual prompts to remind us to offer prayers not only for ourselves, but for people, places, and things in each of these 6 categories. When a child offers a prayer, they are invited to place a small jewel or pebble in the appropriate jar. (I've made several extra copies of the visual prompts, in case you'd like to replicate this practice at home.)  On July 28th, the children will lead the Prayers of the People during Sunday Worship at St. Mark's. They will also lead the whole congregation in a sung response to the prayers: "Come Holy Spirit" by John Bell. Come Holy Spirit (Come Holy Spirit) Come Holy Spirit (Come Holy Spirit) *Maranatha! (Maranatha!) Come, Lord Come. (Come, Lord Come.) * Note: "Maranatha" is an Aramaic word meaning "O Lord, Come!" In the face of the needs of the world and the needs in our own lives, we don't need to tell God what to do. God doesn't need our instructions or advice. We just need to call on God--the source of all love, all life, all light; the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer of all things-- to draw near and dwell with us in the midst of all our pain, our suffering, our uncertainty, our need, our fear, our hope; and to grant us the strength, wisdom, and inspiration to respond with faith and courage to the needs of the world.
 Image by Karla Dornacher; purchase card at https://www.etsy.com/shop/karladornacher Happy are those.... whose delight is in the law of the Lord... They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper. (Psalm 1:2-3) The beautiful image of a fruit bearing tree planted by a river, which we find in the Psalms, has provided a central focus for our Diocese under the guidance of our new Bishop since our last diocesan convention in November 2018. Our Bishop has invited all of us to imagine ourselves--the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of the Rio Grand--as a tree with Deep Roots and a Broad Reach. What does it mean for you to have deep roots and a broad reach? What does it mean for your children? Your family? St. Mark's? Our diocese? Our denomination? What helps YOU feel rooted? What feeds & refreshes you, allowing you to grow, flourish and bear fruit in different seasons? What is the relationship between rooting down and reaching out in your life and family? This Summer we will be creating a community mosaic, depicting a tree, in the courtyard at St. Mark's. We hope that everyone in the St. Mark's community will get involved in this exciting project. As we work on this project together this summer, and as we enjoy the finished mosaic for years to come, I invite you to continue reflecting on the image of a tree, and the concept of "Deep Roots, Broad Reach." You can learn more about St. Mark's "Tree of Life" Community Courtyard Mosaic Project here. Learn the SongThis month's Song of the Month is a variation of a song by singer/songwriter Betsy Rose. Standing like a tree with my roots sent down my branches wide and open down comes the rain down comes the sun down comes the Word* to a heart that is longing to be standing like a tree.... *In other versions of the song this word appears as "fruit", "love", and "moon". For purposes of Children's Chapel, we've chosen to sing "Word" as in Jesus, the Word, that comes down from heaven to give life to the world. Once you are comfortable with the words and the melody, try singing the song as a round in two or more parts! St. Mark's children will share this song as the Offertory Anthem during Worship on Sunday, June 23rd. Learn the Movements This month I'd like to introduce you to a song we've been singing regularly in Children's Chapel this spring, both on Sundays (with the church) and Wednesdays (with the preschool.) We open each session of Children's Chapel singing an adaptation (Hymn 714 in the Episcopal Hymnal) of a familiar Jewish round, Shalom Chaverim. The word "shalom" is often translated "peace", but it has more depth and richness of meaning than can be contained in any single English word. If you're interested in a more thorough exploration of the word, this Wikipedia entry is a good place to start. In the context of Children's Chapel, this song provides a means for acknowledging, greeting and blessing one another by name as we gather, and for beginning to settle our hearts, minds, and bodies so that we can listen for God speaking to us through a story. I introduce the song by saying: The first and last gift of the Risen Christ to His disciples was peace, shalom, and so whenever we gather, we share God's peace with one another. Shhhhhhh--ALL--om.... Shhhhhhh--ALL--om.... Shhhhhhh--ALL--om.... Then we begin to sing: Shalom my friends, shalom my friends Shalom, Shalom Shalom my friends, shalom my friends Shalom, Shalom After we sing the song once through, we begin to go around the circle, replacing "my friends" with the name of each child in the circle. Shalom to Lucia, Shalom to Johanna Shalom, Shalom Shalom to Jonah, Shalom to James Shalom, Shalom It is amazing to watch the children's anticipation build as their turn draws near, then to watch their faces shine with the joy and delight of being seen and known as we lovingly sing their name. When everyone has been greeted and blessed by name: We scoop up the peace we've created by singing and rub it together between our hands then bring God's peace to our heads, letting God's peace fill our minds We scoop up the peace we've created by singing and rub it together between our hands then bring God's peace to our hearts, feeling the warm peace fill our hearts We scoop up the peace we've created by singing and rub it together between our hands then bring God's peace to our legs And we feel God's peace fill our bodies and our hearts and our minds And we're ready to listen for God speaking to us through a story. Questions |
Song of the MonthIn 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. Archives
January 2020
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