Symposium Reflections 2023 - February 8-10, 2023 @ Calvin University
This year was the 36th annual Worship Symposium (on-line only in 2021 and 2022). I surmise that I have been to about 20 of these conferences, beginning in the 1990's when it was called COLAM (Conference on Liturgy and Music). They are and have been a huge source of inspiration and education for me over the years, in essence giving me a "masters" in worship ministry. I even had the distinct privilege of leading a couple of sessions at the January 2020 symposium.
It was great fun to go with Jen and Alice this year: travelling, talking, eating, learning, and worshiping together for 3 days. (They may know more about me now than they would like!) I was also able to re-connect with fellow CRC worship coaches in-person for the first time in 3 years, and that was incredibly meaningful as well.
Please read the reflections by Jen, Alice, and Sylvia attached here. Their enthusiasm is palpable. I hope that you will notice some of our learnings bearing fruit at Mountainview in worship and ministry, if not right away, then eventually. We are deeply thankful for a church whose budget supports these kinds of opportunities. Thank you!
Ruth Ann
Worship Notes – Symposium Stories
It was a pleasure to once again attend the Calvin Symposium on Worship. The times of worship fed and invigorated my soul: heartfelt and dramatic readings of scripture, times of confession, lament, times of praise and rejoicing. From a late-night LOFT service with the Calvin students to worship services with a string orchestra; a gospel choir; and worship teams; to mid-afternoon vespers, each service carrying out the message of the book of Colossians.
Colossians addresses problems in the church and urges believers to set their minds on Christ, to examine themselves and be transformed by the love of Jesus (sound familiar?). Paul writes to remind the believers that salvation is only through Christ, and he calls on them to live a life that demonstrates forgiveness, peace, worship, affection, devotion to Christ and thankfulness in all circumstances. The concluding service offered an opportunity to partake of communion and be reminded that we are “chosen, holy and dearly loved.”
And in between all those wonderful times of worship I was privileged to attend some amazing workshops on: Intergenerational Worship; Indigenous Wisdom & Christian Practice; The Fruit of the Spirit and Mental Health; Dividing Walls and Christian Unity; Well-being and Shalom; Discipling Fear, Anger, Shame and Grief; and last but not least Becoming the Beloved Community – Conversations Churches Need to Learn.
My heart and mind are full. It’s like drinking from a firehose! The late-night and car-ride conversations with Ruth Ann and Jen were a wonderful time of fellowship in which to process it all. Thank you for the opportunity to attend, to be filled and equipped. Praying that some of that wealth of information will bless us as a congregation as we continue our journey together of “being transformed by the love of Jesus.”
Shalom,
Alice
I had the opportunity to attend the Worship Symposium this year, having attended one time prior. I found myself renewed and refreshed after 3 full days of worship and learning at Calvin University. Each day we were blessed with the opportunity to attend 2 worship services and a vesper service, all of which were themed on the book of Colossians. Two of the learning sessions I chose enabled me to participate in Calvin's daily student worship service, where we were able to worship with the students and then learn from their worship apprentices, teacher Paul Ryan, and Wendell Kimbrough, whose music may be familiar to some of you. I loved being able to sneak in 2 extra worship services, especially considering the energy the students brought in the chapel! Seeing the intentionality behind including different languages and cultures in each service, through both new and familiar songs and varied visual arts allowed for very meaningful times of worship. Being immersed in these services and sessions over the three days was both emotionally exhausting and spiritually invigorating.
One of the sessions encouraged us to look at our song/worship diet and look at singing as a “gymnasium” for your heart. With the analogy of only doing bicep curls on one arm for one year and what that might look like, it became quite clear that our worship should include more than just songs of praise, which seem to come easier to us. A balanced song diet includes songs of praise, lament, confession, assurance, and dedication - music gives us permission for our feelings and what we express to God, and God delights in hearing all of it. Using the Psalms is a great way to get a balanced diet.
I was also very struck by the chord/theme that ran through not only the services, but also a lot of the sessions - being a human being and not a human doing, and the fact that not everything is about what we should do, but rather who we should be. “Belonging” is simply imperfect people trying to love each other in the best possible way in the worst possible conditions... something that really resonates when you look at what is going on not only in our world, but also in our denomination, schools and families. We don't always need to take action, rather engage in a process of being open and listening without the intention to wrap things up in a neat little bow. It is far more important to honour each other than the issue at hand. Our last service really spoke to us as we turned to our neighbours and called them by name, saying "you are holy, chosen and dearly loved". When we recognize that in ourselves and in one another as we worship, learn and exist together, we will find Christ in all things, and find our identity in Christ alone.
~ Jen DeJonge
I had the pleasure of attending the Worship Symposium 2023 with two of my sisters. We experienced the worship times together and chose our preferred workshops individually. It was a wonderful experience all around.
My biggest take-away from the three days was the celebration of diversity within the CRCNA. Worship included many styles: organ, piano, guitar, drums, and violin, several choirs, and once a string instrument orchestra (from the local Christian highschool). Songs and psalms and blessings were offered in numerous languages reflecting the diversity of ethnicity within our denomination. Speakers also reflected the rich leadership and opportunities we share.
My first workshop was a panel discussion of “What is missing in faith formation today?” The panel discussion responded with talk of the misuse of the emotion of guilt/shame; concern that the church is almost silent on the global issue of climate change; and the value of knowing the Bible as a whole narrative more so than simply a series of texts. Most interesting to me was hearing that the Bible was originally meant to be heard, not read. There were several memorized presentations of Colossians in the worship services, making it sound very much like a letter Paul wrote to his friends in Christ. We were encouraged to listen to the heard Word.
Another workshop focused on the role of the church in the Mental Health crises so prevalent today, globally and locally. Spiritual health and mental health are connected. The church ought to make purposeful room for lament as well as for joy. We should lead/teach the dangers of passive scrolling on the internet, and hate-following (following what makes your blood boil, but you keep following it anyway). Cultivate truth telling, relationships, and community at every level.
A third workshop was about welcoming all abilities and bodies into the worship and life of the church. We have a history of ABLEISM which expects everyone to be equally able. We have learned to install ramps and break down barriers; we are learning that disability does not equal broken. However, we all can learn more by listening to individuals who can tell us what they need to participate fully in the life of the church. In terms of labels, listen to what someone calls themself and show respect by using that same terminology. Diversity in ability, race, gender, and age and so much more add to the richness of the fellowship of church life.
These are a few of my take-aways from my days at Calvin. I am not on staff at Mountainview but seized the opportunity anyway. I would encourage anyone to attend this annual event if and when you have the chance, or plan to register for online participation. You will not regret it.
~ Sylvia Van Geest