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Oh come, let us sing to the Lord;
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
Psalm 95:1
On Sunday afternoon, September 10, the beautiful sound of children’s singing voices could once again be heard in the halls of the Mulberry Street United Methodist Church, and what a blessing and joy it was to hear. From their first attempts to echo simple vocal sounds, to singing their first phrase, these children far exceeded my first rehearsal expectations. The delight and surprise in the eyes of the children at hearing their own singing voices joined together with others was priceless.
The desire to have a vibrant, active children’s choir at Mulberry has been discussed and dreamed of for several years by parents, clergy, staff and church members alike. Even I, a very happily retired elementary music teacher, expressed that same dream.
Then, as so often happens when God is nudging us in an unexpected direction, those thoughts and dreams were ever present in my mind and heart. So, stepping out in faith, I volunteered for the task. And from the moment the children walked through the choir room door on September 10, I felt at home.
Many of us recall our own experience of singing in a church children’s choir. We may remember our favorite hymns and anthems learned and sung during Sunday morning worship. Christmas and end of year choir programs as well as receiving your very own United Methodist Hymnal are always favorite memories. Or maybe you just remember the joy of singing with your church friends.
Maybe the text of a particular anthem or hymn learned in childhood has brought comfort in difficult times or joy in the happiest. Oftentimes, hymns or anthems lie long forgotten until the precise moment of need brings them to mind. And then, we remember and are grateful for the childhood choir experience that taught us those beloved scriptures and sacred texts.
Mulberry’s reignited Children’s Choir program aims to provide these vitally important experiences for our young children. In addition to learning valuable scripture and sacred text, participants in the Mulberry Children’s Choir are learning the importance of self-discipline, cooperation, listening skills, and mental focus. But more importantly, they are learning to use their voices to glorify God through song.
We invite all children in grades one through five to join us on Sunday afternoons, 4:00-6:00 for Kidz for Christ. Children’s choir begins at 4:10 and ends at 4:50. Also, the Children’s Choir will perform for parents on November 12, so please mark your calendars now for this exciting event!
Helen Kemp, beloved composer, children’s choir clinician, and author stated, “Body, Mind, Spirit, Voice: It takes the whole child to sing and rejoice!”. May it be so for all our children!
Lisa Shepard
Children’s Choir Director
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