“And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.”
– Matthew 26:30

Greetings!

I am so very excited to be serving as your new Music Minister! I wanted to take this hump day to share a little about myself, about what music in worship means to me, and how I feel we can be “better together”.

I was surrounded by music from an early age. My parents loved music themselves and there was always a song on the radio or a family sing-a-long happening. I grew up in the Catholic church and my time there was linked to music as well. I remember singing around the guitar in Sunday School, listening to all the organ’s different sounds, Christmas caroling during the holidays. I started singing in the church choir when I was 10 and was recruited by our church organist (who also happened to be my piano teacher) to take over playing simple hymns on the organ for the Saturday night Mass at age 12; I couldn’t quite get the pedals right but it was a small church and they were appreciative of my efforts. My time spent there created a strong connection between my faith and music that has stayed with me my whole life. 

So what makes this strong connection to music? There are many studies that show the physical benefits of music. Listening to music is linked to dopamine release which explains its ability to bring us pleasure. Performing music increases endorphin release which helps improve one’s mood and promotes a sense of connection and closeness with those around us. It lowers blood pressure, elevates immunity, produces measurable changes in our brain, and even assists in the formation of alternative pathways around damaged brain tissue. The songs we sing shape us and form us and we remember them in that part of our brain that is dedicated to processing music.

But I’ve always been drawn to something more abstract – the actual gathering together, the fellowship that happens when we join together to make music. A bond is created when we sing together, a bond that creates a shared experience and unites us like no other. Studies have even shown that when people sing together, heartbeats begin to align with each other. There are numerous Bible verses that call us to make a joyful noise, to sing a new song to the Lord, to praise him with timbrel and dance. But I especially love this verse in Matthew 26:30: “And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.” It’s a simple reference, easily overlooked – but oh so powerful. Singing together in fellowship is such an integral, Godly experience that even Jesus, when gathered at the Last Supper, sang with his disciples before being turned over to be crucified. St. Augustine is credited with saying, “He who sings, prays twice.” Singing is a whole body experience, engaging the whole self in prayer. The songs we sing provide us with an emotional connection to the Word and to each other.

There’s also something so special about a choir to me. It acts as a reflection of the ministries of the church – people from all different backgrounds, working together to create something bigger than the sum of its parts. It’s a way to bring together a group of people from diverse backgrounds and experiences and focus them on a single goal. It’s a reminder that we are here to be together as a community – and that we are better together as a community. 

We are all called to serve God with our gifts so that we can be “better together”. If you are feeling called to serve the music ministry with your gifts – or even just wondering what this choir thing is about – I’d love to chat more! Email me at choir@epiphanyec.org. Or find me this Sunday at the Better Together Ministry Fair directly following the 10am service. Not sure where God is calling you to use your gifts? That’s okay too! The various ministries will have information set up and you can learn more about how we can work to be better together – all while enjoying some delicious pancakes from the Pancake Pals of Epiphany. Come in fellowship to taste and see the offerings with an open mind. We’re looking forward to seeing you there! 

One more thing – we’ve been singing the song “Draw the Circle Wide” in worship the past few weeks. Let’s continue to use our voices to make this our song indeed – we are truly better together, standing side by side.

Draw the circle wide, draw it wider still,
Let this be our song, no one stands alone,
Standing side by side, draw the circle wide.

Peace,

Cathy Lard