We Have A Choir!

"We have a choir!"

That's the cry that went up today as eight of us gathered for our first choir rehearsal in the sanctuary of Lutheran Church of the Holy Communion.

"We have a choir!"

Waverly was a little late in arriving. Not wanting to lose the group's momentum I had us line up, clap and move together. Of course, I was the only one who couldn't clap and move at the same time. Paul stepped out and taught us a spiritual, a type of call and response that had deep clapping with a slow stomp of the foot in between. The sound had the rhythm of a chain gang, a sacred sound repeated over and over as we sang the words, "A little while longer...a little while longer." Suffering and hope through the power of song.

When Waverly arrived I asked if he would teach a song that he had once taught us at St. Michael's, a round done in four part harmony with the words, "God has done Marvelous things, praise the Lord!"

Lavonne was our soprano, lovely voice on pitch, picking up her part right away.

Sydney and I were the altos. We needed, well, let's say a little help. Bill, originally, a tenor, came over to join the altos. Sydney, petite and barely coming up to my shoulder, swayed with me
as we struggled to stay on course. Bill, Italian, Catholic,and not very used to singing in church, jumped right into the part.

Our tenor was Paul-- rich, full voice singing along with Waverly, whose voice alone could fill the sanctuary.

Carl, the inspiration for our choir, and Larry were our baritones. Carl had sung professionally with a group in the 70's as had a number of folks in the Welcome Church.

In fifteen minutes we had learned our parts and began singing in harmony.

I watched as faces exuded joy and bodies moved. Our voices became big, even in this sanctaury that could hold seven hundred; and at the end of the hour we raised our arms and shouted, "We have a choir!"

The Welcome Church Singers.

We have a choir!!!

The sound of addiction, recovery, homelessness, abuse, incarceration, loneliness, struggle, and hope.

We have a choir, indeed!!!

Welcome Home Kits

A.G. is 48 years old. After living by the river bank for six years, the city took down the tarp tent he called home. He then moved his gear underneath one of the bridges where he lived the past year. Through the combined efforts of the Outreach Coordination Center and Pathways to Housing, Mr. G. now has a place of his own.

A.K., who is 46 years old, has a similar story. He has lived on or near the Parkway since 1999---not in one of the lush highrise buildings, but up against a wall where the youth study used to be.
Again, thanks to the good folks at Outreach and Pathways, Mr.K. is currently awaiting an apartment which he should have in a few weeks.

So...what can you do to help these folks as they transition into their new homes?

Welcome them with the basics as listed below...and send a note inviting them into your congregation, or at the very least, wishing them well in their new home. You know how to do this...anyone who is a friend of The Welcome Church cherishes hospitality. You might even want to send along a tin of home baked cookies as you wuold do with any new neighbor. And do feel free to contact me with questions or information about dropping off a completed kit.

What to include? Here's a basic list:
dishes (plates, bowls, mugs, glasses)
utensils
pots/pans
dish towels/cloths
bath towels/wash cloths
bed linens (full)
pillows
toiletries
shower curtain/liners
bathroom accessories
waste baskets
ice cube trays
plastic food storage containers

extras: microwave and vacuum cleaner (many of the apts folks get have wall to wall)
radio or some kind of "box" for music (Quiet is often a big adjustment)

my email: vclittle@verizon.net

thanks so much and do read the older post called "Welcome Home"
violet