Join The Lutheran Church of The Good Shepherd for a renewing day of building community through congregational singing, learning, and fellowship on Saturday, January 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. We’ll be led by Paul Vasile and Elizabeth Schroeder of Music that Makes Community, a non-profit organization working to empower and liberate communities through singing. For over 15 years, they have developed and shared transformative leadership practices with musicians, clergy, educators, and lay leaders throughout the United States and Canada.

During our time together we will:

• Explore a practice of paperless (oral tradition) singing leadership

• 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 varied spiritual traditions 

Choir directors, clergy, cantors, educators, 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.

Registration fees are $30 per person, including workshop materials and refreshments throughout the day. You can bring your own lunch or purchase a sandwich for $10. Scholarship support is available, and we do not want cost to prevent anyone’s participation. Please sign-up using the registration links on this page and indicate if you will be ordering lunch. Please pay at the door: cash, checks and credit/debit cards accepted.

Register for the workshop or inquire about it by contacting Julie or Jim.

COVID protocols:
We will follow the guidelines at The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in place at the time of the event and will take precautions to ensure the safety and well-being of all participants. The rooms 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, January 20 at 7 p.m.  We’ll share songs that enliven the spirit, nourish the soul, and remind us that we are not alone.  This 75-minute event is free and open to all who love to sing.

• MMC leaders will share musical leadership at The Lutheran Church of The Good Shepherd’s 9:30 a.m. morning worship service on Sunday, January 22, and during the Forum at 11 a.m. that morning, Paul Vasile will give a talk titled “What Did you Notice? Reflecting on the Practice of Singing in Community.”

This event is made possible by a Vital Worship Grant from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Grand Rapids, Michigan, with funds provided by Lilly Endowment, Inc.