They say that to sing is to pray twice. – Augustine

Do you like to sing? I know that one of the ways that I continue to keep myself grounded is to sing – I love music! Music touches my soul and gives me another way to connect with the Holy One, whom I would call God. I love having a chance to share in that practice with other people.

This past week, Voices United Community Choir began practicing for our Christmas cantata. This has become a standard fall activity for many people in the Clearwater community as we gather again to tell the Christmas story one more time.

It is amazing to see how this choir comes together – the choir is sponsored by Clearwater United Church, St. James’ Catholic Parish offers the rehearsal space and Clearwater Community Baptist Church continues to offer the presentation space. Members from a majority of the congregations in the Clearwater area (and all the way up to Avola!), and people who don’t belong to a church community participate in this venture.

It seems that there are things that keep our churches apart – difference of opinion and interpretation, a variety of other understandings and encounters with the incarnate Christ – but this cantata is one of the ways that we put all of those things aside and gather together to tell this important story – that of the birth of the Holy Child who becomes friend, guide and Savior to the world.

Christmas may be over two months away (in fact, my five-year-old niece over the Thanksgiving weekend reminded me that there were less than 75 days left), but for the next 10 weeks, the choir will continue to practice and rehearse and share in the gift of this music.

We will be offering the gift of this cantata: Night of the Father’s Love: The Awe and Mystery of God with Us on Saturday, Dec. 17 at Clearwater Community Baptist Church. Clearwater Voices United Community Choir practices every Wednesday from 4:30 to 5:30 at St. James’ Catholic Parish (with fellowship time from 4 – 4:30).

So take a deep breath, and sing out a new song!

Clearwater Times