Conference participants singing with Music That Makes Community
Episcopal clergy from New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont gathered at Geneva Point Center in Moultonborough, New Hampshire, Oct. 6-8 to join in worship and fellowship for a first-of-its-kind meeting of church leaders from the three dioceses.
Organized by the Episcopal Church of New Hampshire’s Dean of Clergy, the Rev. Louise Howlett and Events Administrator Kathy Traynor, supported by the Clergy Formation Committee of ECNH, in consultation with the Rev. Canon Susan Ohlidal and the Rev. Rachel Field from the diocese of Vermont and the Rev. Peter Swarr from the diocese of Maine, the clergy retreat focused on communal song sharing inspired by the Brooklyn, New York-based nonprofit, Music That Makes Community (MMC). Clergy were invited by MMC worship leaders, Nancy Willbanks and Jorge Lockward, to sing, compose, and lead others in song sharing by using accessible and easy methods to embrace songs and leadership skills. Experiencing this type of song sharing was a way both to tap the spiritual root of God’s presence in community and to uncover the musical connectivity and capability that is already present in each person through God’s gift of loving creativity.
From left: Vermont bishop Shannon MacVean-Brown, Bishop Rob, Maine Bishop Thomas J. Brown
While taking breaks from singing, the 90-plus participants had the opportunity to catch up with old friends and meet new colleagues for the first time. The rainy, yet beautiful fall days at Geneva Point Center also afforded those interest in physical activities the chance to hike, kayak, play soccer, and take in the photogenic beauty of Lake Winnipesaukee. The center’s bucolic setting and long ecumenical history of serving as a meeting place for the National Council of Churches was not lost on this group.
Bishops Robert Hirschfeld, Shannon MacVean-Brown (Vermont), and Thomas Brown (Maine) also gathered with the group to discuss future collaboration possibilities, reflect on various challenges facing The Episcopal Church, and the importance of clergy leadership. Before departing, the group shared in the celebration of the Eucharist filled with music we had learned throughout the conference. Participants left fulfilled, inspired, and looking forward to more opportunities to get together.
The clergy conference was supported financially by a generous grant from Province I and the Schofield Fund from ECNH. St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in New London, New Hampshire also hosted an MMC all-day workshop for lay people and other religious and music leaders.