Saturday, August 18, 2007
Making a Joyful Noise
Today, I joined about 26 other members and friends of UUFG in the Chalice Choir Retreat. I'd been debating on whether or not I could commit to the time that will be involved in being part of the choir -- meeting Thursday nights from 7:45 to 9:30 pm, getting to Fellowship by 10 am on Sundays, and performing with the group during service.
My reasons for not feeling sure I can commit is how it isn't fair to Jeff. If I am doing this, it means that, especially during Fellowship, he is responsible for the kids. I know from experience that it isn't terribly fun, and you can't necessarily hear as much of the sermon then, especially if you are in the Window Room in the back, since often adults will go back there to just talk (and the kids are loud enough). So, I figure I'll do this for a little while, and then re-evaluate a little later, maybe the end of September, unless it is obvious before that that this won't work out.
I do know that I enjoy singing again in a choir, and I feel a release in doing so. It is also nice to be doing it while expressing my spirituality, singing songs that often move me as well. One of the songs we are doing tomorrow is entitled "Because You Live" by composer Adolphus Hailstork, and it is just beautiful. Here are the lyrics, which are based off of a poem written by Bessie Stanley entitled Success (it is often referred to as a poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson for some reason):
To laugh often and much
To win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children
To earn the appreciation of honest critics
and to endure the betrayal of friends
To appreciate beauty
To find the best in all others
To leave the world a little better
whether by a social condition
or a garden patch
or a healthy child
To know even one life has been easier because you live
This is to have succeeded.
Labels: Kristin, spirituality, Unitarian Universalism
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