Upcoming Events

One-Day Community Singing Workshop in New Bedford, MA

• Saturday, September 30, 2023 at 09:30 AM

  Pilgrim United Church of Christ in New Bedford, MA

  

  Music that Makes Community is excited to offer a One-Day Community Singing Workshop at Pilgrim United Church of Christ in New Bedford, MA on Saturday, September 30 from 9:30 am to 4 pm. The Rev. Nancy Willbanks and Paul Vasile will facilitate a renewing day of singing, learning, and fellowship, with a focus on singing as a practice that can enliven congregational worship and strengthen our commitments to welcome all people. Singers of all backgrounds, ages, and experience levels are warmly welcomed to participate!
  
  During our time together we’ll: 

  • Pray and play together through song, nourishing our hearts and imaginations for what is possible in our communities
  • 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. All who love to sing are warmly welcomed, as well as those who lead music in church, community, and educational contexts.
  
  The cost of the workshop is $75/person, including workshop materials, lunch, and refreshments throughout the day. Old Colony Association churches who have paid their 2023 OCA will receive a discount code, making the cost $60/person.
  
  REGISTER HERE!
  
  We do not want the cost to prevent anyone’s participation, so please reach out to let us know if you need scholarship support. Please contact Paul Vasile at paul@musicthatmakescommunity or (929) 266-4662 with any questions.
  

  
  The workshop is generously supported by the Old Colony Association of the Southern New England Conference of the UCC. 

  

Three-Day Retreat in Albuquerque

• Thursday, October 05, 2023 at 01:00 PM through October 07, 2023

  Santa Maria de la Vid Abbey in Albuquerque, NM

  
  Enjoy the beauty of autumn in the desert from October 5-7, 2023, as Music that Makes Community again gathers at the Santa Maria de la Vid Abbey in Albuquerque, NM for a three-day, two-night retreat. 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 sustain body, heart, and soul. Daily workshops include opportunities to focus on topics like:

  • Singing lament and grief
  • Songs to strengthen justice and reconciliation work
  • Paperless songs and liturgy for Advent 

  The retreat will be led by a dynamic team of local musicians and clergy, including Sylvia and Donnel Miller-Mutia, David and Winona Poole, as well as MMC's Executive Director Paul Vasile.  

  SCHEDULE:

  Check in begins at 1 pm MT on Thursday, October 5. 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 7, at approximately 1:30 pm MT. View the full retreat schedule.

   

  REGISTRATION:

  Individual and shared housing options are available for overnight guests, including hermitages and guest rooms with private bathrooms. All rooms are comfortable, accessible, and simply furnished. Capacity is limited, so RSVP early to guarantee a place.

  • Hermitage: Single Occupancy - $575 to $500 (all meals, individual room w/ private bath)
  • Guest Room: Double Occupancy - $500 to $425 (all meals, shared room w/ private bath)

  Three options are available for participants who wish to commute.

  • Commuter: Full Retreat - $275 to $200 (all meals)
  • Commuter: Friday Full Day - $120 to $90 (all meals)
  • Commuter: Half-Day - $80 to $40 (one meal)

  REGISTER HERE!

  Please reach out to Paul at [email protected] with any questions or to request scholarship assistance.

Advent Worship Planning Workshop in Chicago

• Saturday, October 28, 2023 at 09:00 AM

  Bethany United Church of Christ in Chicago, IL

  
  Join fellow musicians, clergy, and lay leaders on Saturday, October 28 for a Half-Day Advent Worship Planning Workshop at Bethany United Church of Christ, Chicago. The time of singing and learning will be facilitated by Conie Borchardt from the Twin Cities, in collaboration with local MMC leaders. 
  
  We'll reflect on this expectant season of the liturgical year through songs that invite our communities into paperless, participatory expressions of praise and prayer. The final hour of the workshop will model creative approaches to Communion liturgy, using paperless practices to renew our experiences around the table.
  
  REGISTRATION:
  Registration fees are on a sliding scale, from $40 to $20 per person, which includes access to a song list and resource materials 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.
  
  REGISTER HERE!
  
  The workshop is supported by generous gifts from Bethany United Church of Christ, Chicago and First Congregational Church of Evanston. 
  

Advent Worship Planning Drop-In

• Thursday, November 02, 2023 at 03:00 PM

  Zoom

  
  Join us for our Advent Planning Drop-in on November 2, 2023, from 3 to 4:15 pm ET. MMC leaders will facilitate a space to explore and envision embodied and meaningful worship experiences in this Advent season.
  
  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.