Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Big weekend for commitments...

This weekend is a BIGGIE:  on Saturday our church council will spend time in prayer, study, conversation and discernment about how best to address a number of building related problems.  We could easily spend more than a million dollars on all the things that could be done and still not address ways to make the Sanctuary more user-friendly for worship.  So before we make any decisions about the really big-ticket items, we're going to try to understand how our building both helps and hurts our mission at this moment in time. In a word, where (if any where) is the Spirit calling us to pay attention when it comes to our facility.

Thankfully I have no idea where we'll be led.  If I did I wouldn't be able to sleep or do anything else.  But I don't so I will lead Eucharist, prayer and study and then we'll see what shakes out.  Later that evening, there is a small "house concert" being sponsored by one of the band members to help us bring Miche Fambro (Dianne's very talented brother-in-law) to the Berkshires.  He will also join us for Sunday afternoon's benefit concert.  A lot is going on this weekend.


Most of today was spent rethinking last night's marathon practice:  what went right, what was a train wreck, how can we do a better set-up for both the performers and audience (to say nothing of what should we do differently next time, etc)?  Thanks be to God I work with a seasoned musician who knows the world of theater, jazz, the classics of rock as well as serious art music and so much more.  We debriefed last night, re-figured the set list and then reworked the staging.  Now here's the thing:  some people don't spend any time with this stuff and I guess that works for them.  But if the stage isn't hospitable and lovely - creating both freedom and community for the band - everything feels off for me. 

Last night we were too spread out.  Now we're closer to the people and much closer to one another as well.  As C said, "It already feels better!"  It is amazing to me how much time and thought a good stage set up takes.  Same with a set list.  Tonight I feel much more grounded about this show in spite of all the other commitments shaking down this weekend.  Now, hard work and the guidance of the Spirit are in order for all this weekend's big commitments.

Why not stop by and share the fun:  Sunday, June 2nd @ 3 pm?

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