We tried it...

After worship today we tried the U2 gospel version of "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" and it was sweet.  18 people showed up - and a few others will join us over the next few weeks - and they rocked it!

+ I have two lead singers - a hot and rockin' guitar man with a powerful voice - and an 11 year old girl with poise, a pure and innocent voice and a gospel sense about her that is amazing.

+ I have a few guitarists, too and a stand-up bass and we'll add congas once we nail down the voices and timing.

This "summertime gospel project" is turning into a tradition that is a whole lotta fun.  I am really glad we tried it... It fits with my "being apprentices of grace" series, too - both in subject and practice - as we are young and old and in-between, gay and straight, male and female and all the rest.  And there really IS a place for everyone in this choir.

Joan Chittister once wrote: Everything in life, contrary to Madison Avenue's guarantees, can't be cured or resolved or eliminated. Some things must simply be endured. Some things must simply be borne. Some things must simply be accepted.  Community... enables us to do that - community is meant to hold us up on the days when we're very, very down...

She concludes noting that in her community: ... all ages live side by side, the young with the old, the well with the infirm and each learns from the other. The elder learn from the young that life goes on, that creation keeps creating. The young learn from the elderly that life is about more than titles and careers, that someday we shall each be only what we are and no more. Then, we will all look back on our relationships with God, with our selves and with others as the only lasting mark of our humanity.