Singing for joy!

Thoughts on experiencing shalom, community, and celebration

Last Saturday was a full and joy-filled day!

For starters, I had the opportunity to spend time at a retreat over Friday afternoon through Saturday noon hosted by a friend with about a dozen others. We read, summarized and discussed three significant books that informed our lives and instructed us how we ought to live in the world:

• Until Justice and Peace Embrace - Nicholas Wolterstorff

• Jesus and the Disinherited - Howard Thurman

• Shalom and the Community of Creation: An Indigenous Vision - Randy Woodley

If you are not familiar with the concept of shalom, Wolterstorff defines it as human flourishing and being in harmony with God, neighbor, creation, and ourselves. It’s experiencing life in a way where “things are as they are supposed to be.” As a group we pondered the historical and present breaking of shalom through colonization, racism, and oppression of various kinds. What is our level of concern for those, as Thurman says “whose backs are against the wall?” How could we become better agents of the kind of shalom Jesus brought?

In the afternoon, I joined our family in celebration of our eldest grandson’s birthday. What a treat to see one’s descendants growing and maturing before your eyes and getting to be a part of all that entails!

After the party, I participated as a Holland Chorale member by singing downtown to our community and visitors. It was a joy to bring the joy and hope of the songs of Christmas to the streets of Holland. As we brought joy and watched others respond with joy to our singing, it was a very special experience. Below is a picture of myself in full Dickens caroler costume!

Oh and we even sang “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” to a couple of imported reindeer! Although this one was not apparently Rudolph - it had a rather normal colored nose - but what a beautiful set of antlers!

I am more ready than ever for celebrating this year as we gather at Thanksgiving tomorrow and then open the Christmas season with a Holland Chorale concert on December 5. We would love to have you join us - it is pay what you can ticketing as we seek to make the beauty and hope of music more accessible to everyone in the West Michigan area. It’s going to be a very fun concert and we will be joined by the West Michigan Children’s Choir at First Reformed Church in Holland.

We are delighted to be welcoming Dr. Phil Moody, our new director, to the Holland area this year and here is a special holiday greeting from him.

Wishing you deep shalom and wonderful times of celebration with family, friends, and community!