Sewanee Church Music Conference
by Julie Sundin
Last month I had the pleasure of attending the Sewanee Church Music Conference. This week long Conference is one of the oldest gatherings of church musicians in America and celebrated its 64th year of continuing education in 2014. There were 150 church musicians from many different parts of the country attending this year’s conference.
The University of the South, popularly known as “Sewanee”, is an undergraduate college and is widely considered to be one of the top liberal arts colleges in the nation. Officially initiated by bishops of the Episcopal Church in 1856, Sewanee continues to be owned by twenty-eight Episcopal dioceses. The University is located on a 13,000-acre campus on the Sewanee mountain (from which it gets its less formal name), a major section of the Cumberland Plateau between Chattanooga and Nashville.
The opportunity to recharge one’s spiritual batteries is an important part of the conference. The Holy Eucharist was celebrated every morning at 7:30 a.m. in the Chapel and compline was offered on Monday and Friday nights. People attending the conference formed the choir that sang for these church services. The Conference choir also sang Choral Evensong in All Saints’ Chapel on the Sewanee campus and on Sunday morning, we sang for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist in All Saints’ Chapel.
These large-scale liturgies required daily rehearsals throughout the week. These rehearsals served as laboratories where choir training techniques could be observed under the tutelage of two experienced choirmasters: Peter Richard Conte and Todd Wilson. The afternoons were spent in either organ and choral conducting master classes or liturgical planning. The evenings allowed time for social activities and good conversation with fellow church musicians.
This was the second year that I attended this Conference and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience while gaining additional knowledge!
Happy Birthday, Nicole Toft!
Rector’s Time Away
Lori and Bill will be on a brief vacation from Sunday afternoon August 17th through Wednesday, the 20th. The Rev. Jane Clark will be available in case of an emergency. She can be reached at 847-800-6163. In all cases in the rector’s absence, you may call the wardens or the parish office listed below:
Deb Lang, Senior Warden – 815-354-6741 Pam Dietmeyer, Junior Warden – 815-354-3407 Church Office – 815-385-0390 (Tues. – Fri. 9am to 1pm)We’re on Facebook!
Be sure to check us out and “friend” us! “St Paul’s Episcopal Church”Available for your convenience
For the ease and convenience of those of us who need special assistance, we have a wheelchair and two walkers available for use here at the church. In some cases, that might make attendance easier than unloading your own wheelchair or walker. Feel free to ask for assistance if you need it. Also, the clergy are most willing to take Communion to you in your seat. Simply let the usher or the celebrant know of your request.
August 17 Servants:
Ushers: Donald Jaworski, Rick Carlstedt Lector: Judy Robel Intercessor: Judy Robel Eucharistic Ministers: Pam Dietmeyer, Charlie Boak Vestry Person of the Day: Kathy BiggerstaffNew Mother’s Class
The St. Paul Diaper Bank is holding classes for new mothers on Thursdays from 1:00-2:30 p.m. at the McHenry Chamber Office. Classes are free and attendees receive a package of diapers each time they attend. Questions? Please call the church office at 815-385-0390.
Summer Diaper Drive is still going on!
Please help us by bringing your diaper donations to church on Sunday mornings. We will also accept monetary donations. Checks should be made out to the “St. Paul’s Diaper Bank.” Let’s make this a huge success! Remember, every little bottom counts.
June Collection = 619 July = 556 August (as of 8/10) = 367101 Reasons to be Episcopal
Reason 29
“The signs that say, ‘The Episcopal Church Welcomes You’ mean it.”
Nick Humez, Diocese of Newark
From the cartoons created by the Rev. William P. McLemore 1965 – 2014.
