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
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Thursday, January 22, 2026 at 07:00 PM through March 19, 2026
Zoom
Join Music that Makes Community facilitators and composers for an online series of Paperless Music for Lent!
Starting Thursday January 22, 2026, Music that Makes Community facilitators will be offering songs and resources to support your Lenten observances from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday. There will be three types of programming offered: a 90-minute song sharing event, 5 explorations during Monday Morning Grounding, and some drop-in sessions.
Details are still being settled, but you can put these dates in your calendar now:
Kick off to Paperless Music
Thursday, January 22, 2026, 7-8:30 p.m. ET
Deeper Explorations at Monday Morning Grounding
Mondays, 10-10:30 a.m. ET
- January 26: Ash Wednesday
- February 2: Lent
- February 23: Palm Sunday-Maundy Thursday
- March 2: Maundy Thursday-Good Friday
- March 9: Easter + AlleluiasRegister for the Zoom link here. Good for all Monday Morning Grounding Sessions.
Drop-In Sessions
- Lent focus: Tuesday, February 10, 1 p.m. Pacific/4 p.m. Eastern with Rev. AnnaMarie Hoos and others
- Holy Week + Easter focus:Thursday, March 12, 1 p.m. Pacific/4 p.m. Eastern with Caitlin Beck + Adam Wood
Tuesday, March 17, TBA with Rev. Sylvia Miller-Mutia and others -
Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 12:00 AM through March 17, 2026
Zoom
Lent will be here soon and six weeks later, Holy Week and Easter.
Maybe you attended our Lenten webinar in January and maybe you're just getting plans together for this holy season.
No matter your level of preparation, join experienced Music that Makes Community facilitators for an informal space to sing, share ideas in progress, problem solve, or practice leading something within a supportive context.
Dates (Times TBA)
- Lent focus: Tuesday, February 10
- Holy Week + Easter: Thursday, March 12 + Tuesday, March 17Register HERE and join us as long as you're able. If you have questions or scenarios you’d like us to ponder in advance, kindly include details in the Questions + Comments portion of the form.
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Friday, March 06, 2026 at 12:00 AM through March 09, 2026
Castleton United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, IN
Music that Makes Community (MMC) is excited to announce a Three-Day Residency at Castleton United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, IN. Three 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, March 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, March 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, March 8, at 10:00 a.m. where MMC staff will offer musical leadership at the joint worship service and facilitate a forum afterwards 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.
Please reach out with any questions.
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This residency is part of a yearlong effort at CUMC that explores communal singing as sacramental presence. The project is made possible through a Vital Worship, Vital Preaching Grant from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Grand Rapids, Michigan, with funds provided by Lilly Endowment Inc.
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Friday, March 06, 2026 at 07:00 PM
Castleton United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, IN
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, March 6, from 7-8:30 p.m. at Castleton United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, Indiana.
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, March 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, March 8, at the joint 10 a.m. service. 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 provided with the generous support from a Calvin Institute Vital Worship grant.
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Saturday, March 07, 2026 at 09:00 AM
Castleton United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, IN
Music that Makes Community is excited to announce a One-Day workshop in Indianapolis, Indiana.
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.
CLICK HERE to Register!
Related Events
In addition to the workshop on Saturday, Music that Makes Community facilitators will be in residence over the weekend.
- On Friday night, March 6, 7-8:30 p.m. there will be an Community SING open to the all. A suggested donation of $5-20 per person will go towards sustaining Music that Makes Community. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.
- On Sunday morning, March 8, Music that Makes Community staff will offer musical leadership at 10 a.m. worship at Castleton UMC then facilitate a forum after worship for folks to reflect on their experience.
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Monday, March 09, 2026 at 10:00 AM
Zoom
Join Music that Makes Community for a weekly touchstone that includes singing, silence, sacred text, and community connection. We'll gather at 10 a.m. EDT (9 CDT / 8 MDT / 7 PST) each Monday for a 30-minute gathering followed by coffee and conversation.
MMC leaders host the gathering, drawing from many musical and spiritual traditions.Register for the Zoom link here!
This Zoom link is good for all sessions in this season. -
Monday, March 16, 2026 at 10:00 AM
Zoom
Join Music that Makes Community for a weekly touchstone that includes singing, silence, sacred text, and community connection. We'll gather at 10 a.m. EDT (9 CDT / 8 MDT / 7 PST) each Monday for a 30-minute gathering followed by coffee and conversation.
MMC leaders host the gathering, drawing from many musical and spiritual traditions.Register for the Zoom link here!
This Zoom link is good for all sessions in this season. -
Monday, March 23, 2026 at 10:00 AM
Zoom
Join Music that Makes Community for a weekly touchstone that includes singing, silence, sacred text, and community connection. We'll gather at 10 a.m. EDT (9 CDT / 8 MDT / 7 PST) each Monday for a 30-minute gathering followed by coffee and conversation.
MMC leaders host the gathering, drawing from many musical and spiritual traditions.Register for the Zoom link here!
This Zoom link is good for all sessions in this season. -
Thursday, April 16, 2026 at 12:30 PM
University Lutheran Church of Hope in Minneapolis, MN
Paperless Singing Practice GroupIf 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…
Join host Maria Anderson-Lippert and other MMC leaders for a Paperless Singing Practice Group. 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.
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Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 09:30 AM
Holy Spirit Episcopal Church in Waco, TX
Music that Makes Community is excited to offer a One-Day workshop at Holy Spirit Episcopal Church in Waco TX. Experienced MMC facilitators AnnaMarie Hoos, Ben Allaway, and Conie Borchardt 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.
Click to register HERE!
We request folks register before March 1, 2026.
The workshop is $25 per person, with a $10 lunch add-on option.
Childcare will be available; please indicate your desire to use it on the registration form.
Scholarships are available; email [email protected] to request one.
This workshop is funded through a Strategic Mission Grant from the Episcopal Diocese of Texas.
Related Events
In addition to the workshop on Saturday, Music that Makes Community facilitators will be in residence over the weekend.
- On Friday night, April 17, from 5-6:30 p.m. there will be an Community SING open to the all. A suggested donation of $5-20 per person will go towards sustaining Music that Makes Community. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. RSVP and make a donation HERE.
- On Sunday morning, April 19, Music that Makes Community staff will offer musical leadership in worship at 10:30 a.m. and then facilitate a forum after worship for folks to reflect on their experience.