Bridge-building through Music

Last year, one of my (Dave’s) proudest moments as your Music & Worship Minister was helping lead Vacation Bible School crew of 4th-6th graders as they put on a sing-along-puppetry show for residents in the memory care unit of our local Sunrise senior living community. I was inspired, not just because this group of young people did a great job and comported themselves admirably (which they did!) but also because they did so out in the community, beyond our walls. I saw Christ in how they made music with and for folks outside their usual church family, and in the joy written on the faces of the residents.

One of my big-picture music/arts/worship ministry goals is to share more with those outside the four walls of our sanctuary. By this time next year, each of our primary music ensembles will have a new established tradition: at least once every year, we will either play/sing outside the walls of our building, or we will host a music event designed to welcome the community.

This Sunday evening at 7:00 p.m., a quintet of instrumentalists (Craig Fraedrich, Mike Dyson, Natalie Franke, Breanna Gromicko, and myself) will represent Abiding Presence at an interfaith concert in Annandale, and you're all invited! (Tap here for address and directions.) The theme of the concert is "Love Thy Neighbor," and will also include performances by Jewish, Buddhist, Baptist, Presbyterian, and Latter-day Saints ensembles. While we may not share the same beliefs and theology with everyone in attendance, we can certainly affirm a common commitment to loving one another.

My hope and prayer is that the music we make at Abiding Presence grows more and more into a bridge-building, Jesus-like-welcoming, connection-forming ministry. I see music-making as a vital way for us to break through the barriers that keep us from fully loving our neighbors. If you have ideas for ways you would like to help extend our music & arts ministries out into the community, please come and talk to me! You can find me after church, or email me (dave@abidingpresence.net). And even if you can't make it Sunday evening, please pray for our musicians and our community; may all grow to love more like the God who loved us first.