There are three types of events listed on our calendar:
- MMC Workshops and Retreats planned collaboratively with hosts around the United States and Canada;
- Local Practice Groups led by presenters and participants from the Music that Makes Community network, providing opportunities to hone our skills and support one another in song leading;
- Community Events presented by organizations affiliated with MMC for the benefit of the wider musical community.
Upcoming Events
-
Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at 06:00 PM
Bethany United Church of Christ in Chicago, IL
Music that Makes Community's Chicago Practice Group gathers monthly at Bethany United Church of Christ. All are welcome to sing with others, learn new tunes, and strengthen your song leading skills! -
Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 07:00 PM
St. Anne's Episcopal Church in Sunfish Lake, MNRESCHEDULED Minneapolis-St. Paul MMC Gathering
Just a quick update: We're rescheduling this month's gathering for next Tuesday, Dec 16 to avoid asking folks to drive during a snow fall in the dark. Otherwise it's the same time and same place! Join us for a time away from your to-do lists and tasks. Tea and snacks will be provided.
--
If you are looking for a new way to foster vulnerability, trust and connection in your worship, meetings or gatherings… if you enjoy oral singing tradition… or if you need a place to rest your soul and be filled…
In December the gathering will have a focus on songs for solstice with Executive Director Conie Borchardt and local song leader Brenna Everson. St. Anne's will have a Longest Night service on Friday evening, December 19th.
This gathering is for anyone who loves to sing, churchy and non-churchy alike. Questions? Contact [email protected].
Learn more about paperless singing in the style of Music that Makes Community here.
-
Monday, December 22, 2025 at 06:00 PM
Zoom
Join Music that Makes Community leaders as we sing, pray, and hold vigil to celebrate the Longest Night of the year. We'll hold space for silence, stillness, and share songs for this season of waiting. We'll hold each other and our wounded and emerging world with tenderness and care.
Light a candle or two, bring a poem or song to share, and stop by for a few minutes or an hour, during your time zone's 7-8:30 p.m. or whenever it works for you. We'll be online from 7-8:30 p.m. in rolling time zones, from Eastern to Pacific. The event is free and open to all with a free will offering accepted.
- Atlantic: 8 p.m.-12:30 p.m.
- Eastern: 7 p.m.-11:30 p.m.
- Central: 6-10:30 p.m.
- Mountain: 5-9:30 p.m.
- Pacific: 4-8:30 p.m.Click HERE to register.
-
Tuesday, January 06, 2026 at 06:30 PM
St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Albuquerque, NM
Come practice sharing, teaching, learning, and singing "paperless" songs in the context of a supportive community of fellow singers and song-lovers! Whether you'd like to experience how we can share songs in the oral/aural tradition, build your confidence as a song-leader, or just enjoy the "good medicine" of singing with others in community, we'd love for you to join us. All ages and abilities welcome!
In Stoney Chapel at St. Mark's Episcopal Church431 Richmond St. NE(enter directly from Richmond St./East Parking Lot)--
If your community or congregation would like to host one or more of our MMC song circles in the New Year, please let me (Sylvia) know. (We typically meet on the 1st Tuesday of each month, from 6:30-8pm.) Contact organizer Sylvia Miller-Mutia for more information! -
Friday, February 06, 2026 at 12:00 AM through February 09, 2026
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Raleigh, NC
Music that Makes Community (MMC) and the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians (ALCM) are excited to announce a Three-Day Residency at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. Conie Borchardt, Executive Director of MMC, and two experienced MMC facilitators will lead a weekend of events intended to introduce the paperless repertoire of Music that Makes Community, support the creation of spaces of trust, listening, and communication through singing, and the basic skills for leading communal song.
Residency Events Include:
- On Friday, February 6, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. there will be a Community SING open to all. A free will offering will be collected, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.
- On Saturday, February 7, from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. we’ll experience singing in community and learning the leadership skills and practices of paperless songleading during our Community Singing Workshop.
- We conclude on Sunday morning, Sunday, February 8, at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. where MMC staff will offer musical leadership in worship and facilitate a forum in between services for folks to reflect on their experience.No special talents required — simply bring your love of music and fellowship. Singers of all backgrounds, ages, and experience levels are warmly welcomed to participate!
To register, CLICK HERE, and go to ALCM’s website for more details on travel and accommodations.
Please reach out with any questions.
These events are co-sponsored by the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians.
-
Friday, February 06, 2026 at 07:00 PM
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Raleigh, NC
Join us for a Community SING to experience paperless singing! Music that Makes Community presenters will offer a lively evening of singing, learning, and community building on Friday evening, February 6, from 7-8:30 p.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Raleigh, North Carolina.
No special talents required - just a love of music and fellowship. Singers of all backgrounds, ages, and experience levels are warmly welcomed to participate!
Admission
A free-will offering will be collected, though no one will be turned away for lack of funds. The suggested donation is $5-20 per person.
Related Events
This is the first of several residency events over the weekend. In addition to the Community SING on Friday night, Music that Makes Community facilitators will be offering:
- A 1-Day Community Singing Workshop on Saturday, February 7, from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. where we will experience more singing in community and learn the leadership skills and practices of paperless songleading.
- Musical leadership at worship on Sunday morning, February 8, at the 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. services. In addition to offering leadership in worship, MMC presenters will facilitate a forum in between services for folks to reflect on their experience.These events are co-sponsored by the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians.
-
Saturday, February 07, 2026 at 09:00 AM
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Raleigh, NC
On Saturday, February 7, from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Music that Makes Community will be offering a One-Day workshop at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, sponsored by Association of Lutheran Church Musicians. Three experienced MMC facilitators will offer a lively day of singing, learning, and community building. No special talents required - just a love of music and fellowship. Singers of all backgrounds, ages, and experience levels are warmly welcomed to participate!
Join us for a renewing day of building community through singing, learning, and fellowship. During our time together we’ll:
- Explore a practice of paperless (oral tradition) singing leadership grounded in a spirit of welcome and generosity;
- Engage models of teaching and leading that welcome our bodies, hearts, and minds;
- Experience music reflective of the growing diversity of our communities and celebrating our rich spiritual and liturgical traditions;
- Build community and strengthen relationships through singing.Each person will leave with new music to share, as well as experiences of learning and teaching songs applicable to their context. Choir directors, clergy, cantors, lay leaders, and all who love to sing are warmly welcomed.
We are delighted to offer many registration tiers. Please register before December 16, 2025 for the best rate!
Register before December 16, 2025
- Regular Registration – $79
- Team (multiple from same address/church) Registration – $59/registrant
- Full-time Student Registration – $39
- Good Shepherd Raleigh Member Registration – $39Register after December 16, 2025
- Regular Registration – $99
- Team (multiple from same address/church) Registration – $79/registrant
- Full-time Student Registration – $39
- Good Shepherd Raleigh Member Registration – $39Click to register HERE!
These events are co-sponsored by the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians (ALCM).
Related Events
This is the featured event during a 3-Day Residency held with ALCM at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church over the weekend. In addition to the workshop on Saturday, Music that Makes Community facilitators will be offering:
- On Friday night, February 6, from 7-8:30 p.m. there will be a Community SING open to the all. A free will offering will be collected, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.
- Musical leadership at Good Shepherd Lutheran's worship on Sunday morning, February 8, at the 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. services. In addition to offering leadership in worship, MMC presenters will facilitate a forum in between services for folks to reflect on their experience.