Local Practice Groups are generally organized by participants of MMC events, to get together and practice their singing. You can use this calendar page to set up a new singing event near you, or get in touch with MMC to help you figure out the best way to organize other people in the community to form a local practice group.
Upcoming Events
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Saturday, October 01, 2022 at 12:00 PM
St. Lydia's Dinner Church in Brooklyn, NY
What if “all are welcome” wasn’t just a statement, but a practice?
What would practices that say, “You are very welcome here” look like?
How might practical planning, song leading and ritual embody welcome?
What power dynamics are at work in seeking to welcome, and be welcomed?
What work might be required of a community to be safe(r) to gather with?Join Music that Makes Community facilitators, Pastor Christian Scharen, and worship leaders at St. Lydia's Dinner Church on Saturday, October 1 from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. ET as we explore these vital questions through the worship practices of St. Lydia's Dinner Church, a congregation that has been a literal "test kitchen" engaging reflection around hospitality since its founding in 2008. While this workshop will be especially helpful for staff and/or worship leaders in faith communities, it will be a fun and valuable exploration for any and all.
A group of up to 20 vaccinated individuals will gather in-person at St. Lydia's in Brooklyn. You are also welcome to register to attend via Zoom to participate in the first 90 minutes of the workshop (12:00 to 1:30 pm ET), which will welcome online guests in a multi-access/hybrid format.
Registration fees are on a sliding scale, from $100 to $40 per person, which includes access to a video recording following the workshop. We ask you to pay what is generous and affordable for you, with gratitude for the time and skill of our presenters. Additional scholarship support is also available, if needed. -
Monday, October 10, 2022 at 06:30 PM
Zoom
Gather for an informal singing time to re-center our hearts in community. Simple songs will be led paperlessly/taught by ear by Conie Borchardt, other song leaders, and you, if you have a song to share. Visit Conie's website for the Zoom link!
Join us. Bring friends. (Signup for the email reminder here; select Heart Songs)
Songs will be about the human experience and in that way, spiritual in nature, but not specifically religious. This is a space intended for self-care, however that shifts for you in every moment. -
Thursday, October 13, 2022 at 01:00 PM through October 15, 2022
Santa Maria de la Vid Abbey in Albuquerque, NM
Join Music That Makes Community for a spacious, three-day/two-night retreat at the Santa Maria de la Vid Abbey in Albuquerque, New Mexico from October 13-15, 2022. As we enjoy the beauty of autumn in the desert, we’ll sing and reflect on the theme “Soul Songs for Every Season.” Recognizing the rapid change and constant pivoting in our lives the past few years, we'll lean into a spacious time for rest and rejuvenation, tune ourselves to the rhythms of the land, and listen for songs and spiritual practices that can sustain us through every season of life.
The retreat will be led by a dynamic team of musicians and clergy from the United States and Canada, including Sylvia Miller Mutia, David Poole, Patti Powell, Emilie Teresa Smith, and Paul Vasile. There will be regular opportunities for communal worship and reflection, as well as time for personal rest and renewal.Individual and shared housing options are available for overnight guests, including Hermitages and new guest rooms with private bathrooms. All rooms are comfortable, accessible, and simply furnished. Capacity is limited, so RSVP early to guarantee a place.
A special commuter rate is also available for participants within driving distance.
Schedule:
Check in begins at 1 pm MT on Thursday afternoon, October 13. We'll begin with dinner together followed by Evening Prayer, so if you are traveling from a distance, consider an early flight so you can arrive in time. The closest airport to the Abbey is Albuquerque International Airport (ABQ).The retreat ends with lunch on Saturday, October 15, at approximately 1 pm MT.
Registration/Housing:
Registration fees are on a sliding scale and include lodging, meals (from dinner Thursday to lunch Saturday), and all workshop materials. We ask you to pay what is generous and affordable for you, with gratitude for the time and skill of our presenters. Additional scholarship support is also available, if needed.
Hermitage: Single Occupancy - $600 to $525
(all meals, individual room with private bath)
Guest Room: Single Occupancy - $550 to $475
(all meals, individual room with private bath)
Guest Room: Double Occupancy - $500 to $425
(all meals, shared room with private bath)
Commuter - $400 to $325
(all meals, no lodging)Register here!
COVID protocols:
We will follow the guidelines of the Abbey in place at the time of the event and monitor local infection rates, taking precautions to ensure the safety and well-being of all participants. Singing spaces will be well-ventilated, we’ll take regular breaks, and follow the CDC's best practices for in-person gathering. -
Tuesday, October 18, 2022 at 02:00 PM
Zoom
Folks who have read My Grandmother's Hands with Music that Makes Community, as well as others committed to the work of building embodied anti-racist culture, are invited to come together on Thursday, October 18, 2022 from 2-3:30 pm ET.
The work of shifting culture towards anti-racism is personal and communal, and we hope you'll join us in this community catch up, discerning steps forward and supporting one another! RSVP here to join. -
Saturday, October 22, 2022 at 09:00 AM
St. Margaret's Episcopal Church in Annapolis, MD
After a two-year wait, Music that Makes Community is excited to visit Annapolis, Maryland for a One-Day Paperless Music Workshop at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church.
We’ll gather on Saturday, October 22, from 9 am to 4:30 pm for a renewing day of building community through congregational 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
- Experience building community and strengthening relationships through community and congregational singing
Choir directors, clergy, cantors, lay leaders, and those who love to sing are warmly welcomed. Each person will leave with new music to share, as well as experiences of learning and teaching songs applicable to their context.
The event is generously sponsored by a grant from the Episcopal Church’s Roanridge Trust and the Missions Commission of St. Margaret’s Church, Annapolis, MDRegistration:
Registration fees are on a sliding scale, from $40 to 80/person, including workshop materials, lunch, and refreshments throughout the day. We ask you to pay what is generous and affordable for you with gratitude for the time and skill of our presenters. Scholarship support is available, and we do not want cost to prevent anyone’s participation.
Register here!
Please contact Charlotte Moroz at [email protected] or (929) 266-4662 if you have any questions.
COVID protocols:
We will follow the guidelines at St. Margaret’s Church in place at the time of the event and will take precautions to ensure the safety and well-being of all participants. The room will be well-ventilated, we’ll take regular breaks, and follow the CDC's best practices for in-person gathering.
Additional Learning Opportunities:- We'll offer an Intergenerational Community SING on Friday, October 21 at 7 p.m. ET. This 75-minute event is free and open to all who love to sing.
- MMC facilitators will share musical leadership for the 9:00am and 11:15am liturgies at St. Margaret's Church on Sunday, October 23.
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Monday, October 24, 2022 at 06:30 PM
Zoom
Gather for an informal singing time to re-center our hearts in community. Simple songs will be led paperlessly/taught by ear by Conie Borchardt, other song leaders, and you, if you have a song to share. Visit Conie's website for the Zoom link!
Join us. Bring friends. (Signup for the email reminder here; select Heart Songs)
Songs will be about the human experience and in that way, spiritual in nature, but not specifically religious. This is a space intended for self-care, however that shifts for you in every moment. -
Wednesday, November 02, 2022 at 03:00 PM
Zoom
Join us for our Advent Planning Drop-in on November 2, 2022, from 3-4 pm ET. MMC leaders will facilitate a space to explore and envision embodied and meaningful worship experiences in this Advent season, in-person, virtual and multi-access programming alike.
Register here! Thank you for sharing specific questions and wonderings you have in the Google form so we can prepare for this space of play and practice. -
Monday, November 07, 2022 at 06:30 PM
Zoom
Gather for an informal singing time to re-center our hearts in community. Simple songs will be led paperlessly/taught by ear by Conie Borchardt, other song leaders, and you, if you have a song to share. Visit Conie's website for the Zoom link!
Join us. Bring friends. (Signup for the email reminder here; select Heart Songs)
Songs will be about the human experience and in that way, spiritual in nature, but not specifically religious. This is a space intended for self-care, however that shifts for you in every moment. -
Thursday, November 10, 2022 at 01:00 PM through November 12, 2022
Cross Roads Camp and Retreat Center
Join Music That Makes Community for a spacious, three-day/two-night retreat at Cross Roads Camp and Retreat Center in Port Murray, NJ from November 10-12, 2022. As we enjoy the beauty of late autumn in the Northeast region, we’ll sing and reflect on the theme “Soul Songs for Every Season.” Recognizing the rapid changes and constant pivoting in our lives, we’ll slow down to pay attention to the rhythms of the land, to our beating hearts, and to listen for songs and spiritual practices that can sustain us through every season of life.
The retreat will be led by a dynamic team of musicians and clergy, including Daniel Simons, Charlotte Moroz, and Debbie Jane Holloway. There will be regular opportunities for communal worship and reflection, as well as time for personal rest and renewal.Individual and shared housing options are available for overnight guests. All rooms are comfortable, accessible, and have a private bathroom. Capacity is limited, so RSVP early to guarantee a place.
A special commuter rate is also available for participants within driving distance.
Registration:
Single Occupancy: $450
(all meals, individual room with private bath)
Double Occupancy: $400
(all meals, shared room with private bath)
Commuter Rate: $325
(all meals, no lodging)
Register here!
Schedule:
Check in begins at 1 pm ET on Thursday afternoon, November 10. We'll begin with dinner together followed by Evening Prayer, so if you are traveling from a distance consider an early flight so you can arrive in time. The closest airport to Cross Roads is Newark International Airport (EWR).The retreat ends with lunch on Saturday, approximately 1 pm ET.
COVID protocols:
Current protocols for adult retreats at Cross Roads require:- all participants to be vaccinated against COVID
- all participants take a rapid test upon arrival; those with negative tests are allowed to stay
- all participants who do not feel well should stay home
- all participants should be at least 20 days out from having COVID and need proof of first positive test to aid camp in establishing a timeline
For the safety of our community and yours, Cross Roads is also requiring the use of masks in the Dining Hall at all times other than when participants are eating and drinking. In addition, Cross Roads may require participants to wear masks when sharing spaces with other groups, including Cross Roads staff, or in spaces where adequate ventilation is not available and/or social distancing is not possible.
FAQs
How can I contact the organizer with any questions?
You can email MMC Community Curator Charlotte Moroz or call at (929) 266-4662
Questions on registration?
Email Cross Roads Office Manager Corine Borrero or call (908) 832-7264
What’s the refund policy?
A partial refund (50%) will be given if canceled before October 1. The retreat cost is nonrefundable if cancellation occurs after October 1. -
Monday, November 21, 2022 at 06:30 PM
Zoom
Gather for an informal singing time to re-center our hearts in community. Simple songs will be led paperlessly/taught by ear by Conie Borchardt, other song leaders, and you, if you have a song to share. Visit Conie's website for the Zoom link!
Join us. Bring friends. (Signup for the email reminder here; select Heart Songs)
Songs will be about the human experience and in that way, spiritual in nature, but not specifically religious. This is a space intended for self-care, however that shifts for you in every moment.