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Association of Lutheran Church Musicians
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December 1, 2018 e-newsletter
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Dear friends,
As I write this letter to you, I'm surrounded by stacks of music that correlate to the many events that will take place throughout the Advent and Christmas Seasons. It can be easy to become overwhelmed with the myriad of opportunities that are ahead. Please notice that I choose the word "opportunities" over some other description that might reference the idea of being overwhelmed. Perhaps it is the commercialism of our culture that often makes the expectation of the days ahead seem overwhelming. There are those who would gladly skip Advent altogether and live in Christmas mode from this point on. For many, there are extra seasonal mid-week services and special programs and concerts, not to mention the added services that take place on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Despite that, I honestly love Advent and Christmas because of the OPPORTUNITY these seasons provide us to share something that is so needed in our weary world: love, joy, peace, and hope. In a time of the year where we can get bogged down with all the extras, let us all stop, take a breath, and remember that extras can come in simple packages. Don't be afraid to recycle music that your choir or instrumentalist worked so hard on last year! Not every piece has to be brand new. And when it comes to adding some new things (which you should by all means do!), don't be afraid to let it be simple. Simple done well can be far more powerful than difficult done "pretty well." In other words, don't let the number and the complexity of things you must accomplish eclipse the meaning of what you are trying to convey. While I'm talking about "simple done well" let me put a plug in for the national conference that will take place in Portland, Oregon this summer. It will offer a great many ways to learn to do simple well!
Love, joy, peace and hope. If you can offer even a small amount of any one of these things, you will have given one of the greatest gifts you can give to your community and family. As we enter Advent and move towards Christmas, let us remember that we are still a people who need these things!
May your season be filled with love, joy, peace and hope!
Jeremy Bankson
Region 1 President
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ALCM 2019 Biennial Conference
Our printer made a mistake and it bought you a little more time!
Printing and mailing of the brochure for the Portland conference has been delayed by our printer, and we didn't want folks to miss out on being able to register at the reduced registration fee . . . so . . .
The reduced registration fee of $295 ($340 for non-members) has been extended to January 15, 2019. On January 16 the "early-bird" registration fee of $355 ($400) goes into effect. After March 15, pay the regular registration fee of $425 ($470).
Special registration fees are available for students and for those "second persons" (or third, or fourth, etc.) registering from the same household or church.
Click/tap here
for additional information about the conference and a complete list of registration fees.
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Thanks to all who hosted these events around the country in 2018. It was hard work, but the evaluation comments we received from those in attendance clearly indicated that opportunities for practical, hands-on learning as well as worship and fellowship are much needed and greatly appreciated. Approximately 900 people attended the one-day and Valparaiso events, and over half of those in attendance had never been a member of ALCM or attended any ALCM events.
At its November 16 conference call, the ALCM board voted to continue to sponsor one-day events around the country. Additional information about the events will be available after the board's January face-to-face meeting. Stay tuned!
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Didn't get to attend a Hearts * Hands * Voices event? You can still get a copy of the take-home booklet, which is filled with lots of practical hints and ideas. For each booklet you purchase, we will include one conference bag. Money from the sale of these booklets will support the 2019 events! Purchase multiple booklets at a discount.
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From Michael Krentz, Secretary/Treasurer
As we enter the month of December we begin a new church year, and we begin the final month of our Celebrating 30 Years of ALCM. This three-year celebration has been inspiring in many ways, including the kick-off events at regional conferences in 2016 and the celebration in Minneapolis in 2017. In 2018 ALCM members hosted many Hearts*Hands*Voices events across the country.
In 2018 we also surpassed our goal of 300 donors to ALCM! We have been blessed as an association with many faithful and generous contributors. Now we enter the final month of the Celebrating 30 Years appeal. If you would like to make a gift as part of that campaign, this is the final month to do so! Of course, we will continue to welcome your gifts in 2019 and beyond, as we continue to nurture and equip musicians to serve and lead the church's song.
You may make your gift online at
https://alcm.org/make-a-donation/. Look in your mail for a letter from our President Julie Grindle; it contains a response envelope for mailing your gift.
However you give, thank you! If you've already given, thank you! Your gift will help ensure a strong and vibrant future for ALCM.
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Shop at ALCM and Save 18%
 Looking for some Christmas gifts for music lovers and others? From now through December 18, you can purchase ALCM hymn festival and other recordings as well as ALCM branded products (totes and lunch bags) and get an 18% discount* off your purchase. Just enter code DEC18SALE during the check-out process to get your discount.
 This offer is good through December 18, 2018 only, so visit the Marketplace and place your order now!
*Discount does not apply to CD #4 - The Lutheran Chorale.
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National Conference for Sacred Music 2019
January 9-11, 2019
St. Matthew's Lutheran Church
Charleston, SC
Beat the post-Christmas blahs and begin the new year in beautiful Charleston, South Carolina by attending the National Conference for Sacred Music (NCSM) January 9-11, 2019.
NCSM is a unique event designed to engage church musicians with fresh new ideas and a variety of approaches to further your work in creating a vital, growing music ministry. Take part in this annual event to revitalize the Church's passion - and your own - for music in worship!
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Tables of Thanksgiving: How Eucharist Forms Us
Valparaiso, Ind., April 29-May 1, 2019
"For the Sacrament of Holy Communion has no blessing and significance unless love
grows daily and so changes a person that they are made one with all others."
Martin Luther, 1519
Announcing the 71st Institute of Liturgical Studies to be held on the campus of Valparaiso University April 29-May 1, 2019. We will gather under the theme, "Table of Thanksgiving: How Eucharist Forms Us." Plenary presenters will be Charles Aurand, Paul Bradshaw, M. Shawn Copeland and Cynthia Moe-Lobeda plus many workshops and worship. For more information about the institute and to register, visit valpo.edu/ils.
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November Survey: Digital or Paper?
Thanks to all who completed our brief survey regarding your preference for receiving ALCM publications in paper or electronic format. Although we have no plans to discontinue publishing in paper format, a significant number of those responding indicated a preference to receive publications in electronic format only. As we continue to look at member benefits, we will consider whether or not to offer the option to receive publications in electronic format only. Thanks for your input!
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Save the Dates!
Mark your calendars for upcoming ALCM webinars:
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February 7, 2019
Tips for Leading a
Worship (Praise) Band
Presented by Kip Fox
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May 16, 2019
Basic Principles of
Worship and Music
in the Lutheran Tradition
Presented by Carl Schalk
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If you have not already done so, please take a few minutes to view the new LSM video above.
See for yourself how LSM transforms, connects, and inspires.
Filmed during LSM 2018 at Valparaiso University, this brand new video features students and faculty sharing the unique and wonderful experience that is LSM.
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Plan to do some shopping at Amazon? Remember to always sign in at Smile.Amazon.com and select the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians as your recipient group. We get a percentage of every purchase you make, and it costs you nothing to participate.
Just click this link to get started:
smile.amazon.com/ch/52-1444489
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