February 2020: Njalo (Always)

1/28/2020

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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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!

February 2020: Njalo (Always)

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Song of the Month

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