Many folks know that I am a professional musician – a classically trained singer who, for the past twelve years, has been part of the worship team at a local Presbyterian Church.
This church leans towards a conservative liturgy and worship takes place in a building that is registered as a National Heritage site for Canada. It just celebrated its 190th anniversary and the building itself is either “beautiful” if you love classic architecture or “creepy” if you’re one of the students who attends classes on Thursday evenings.
For me, the building is beautiful. Some of the people….
This week is Holy Week in the Christian liturgical calendar. This is the week that traverses the final week of Yeshua ben Yusuf’s life and career and sets forth the creation of the modern Christian church.
From the triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, to the washing of feet, Last Supper, arrest and betrayal of Maundy Thursday, to the trial and crucifixion of Good Friday to the resurrection on Easter Sunday. The church’s worship team is tasked with retelling the story and putting it into modern context, while guiding the congregation through complex emotions.
This is emotional work for the team. And, for the church vocalists, tasked with embodying triumph, quiet resolve, betrayal, loss, and horror, then the witness of a miracle, quite physically and mentally taxing.
Oftentimes we hear from congregants that they don’t like attending a service because “it’s too sad” (Maundy Thursday) or “it’s too depressing” (Good Friday) but they’re fine with Palm Sunday (Hosannah!) and Easter (Rejoice!)
They are missing out on the full experience and an understanding of the story. Even as a Pagan Humanist, I feel this way. Heck even my husband Larry once joked, you can’t have the Easter Bunny until AFTER the crucifixion…although his words were a LOT more blunt.
Meanwhile the Minister, Organist and choir members work to embody the complex chain of events, the emotional impact and spiritual outcome and understanding of the work that must continue. And this is why we are often exhausted after the season is done. Because we MUST embody these elements to help guide and lead the congregation through the events – both the happy and joyous ones, and yes the difficult and painful ones.
As a singer, I task my voice to cry with joy, shout with betrayal, weep with sadness and rejoice.
And afterwards, I rest.
And the rest is even more important for myself, as I also approach this from someone who approaches these elements from a different spiritual path and a whole lot of prior spiritual baggage. I’m just glad the current minister is progressive and has presented messages that are modern and provide a thought-provoking and up-to-date approach to the Easter story as a whole.
Blessed Be.
mykesworld 