Conference 2002
Many Gifts, One Spirit — Renewing Worship

The United Church of Christ Musicians Association, Inc. held its third biennial conference at Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island from Sunday, July 28 through Wednesday, July 31, 2002.  More than 170 registrants explored the theme of the conference, Many Gifts, One Spirit – Renewing Worship, in worship, workshops, table talks, and plenary session.  

This conference was fortunate to have two prominent clergy as theologians-in-residence, the Reverend Martin Copenhaver of Wellesley, Massachusetts, and the Reverend Maren Tirabassi of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Both served as preachers, liturgists, workshop leaders, table talk facilitators, and plenary panel members. They provided spiritual guidance throughout the week and their leadership sent conferees home with a renewed sense of worship. 

This conference continued the practice of beginning and ending each day in worship. The opening event on Sunday evening was a traditional service of worship with the Rev. Martin B. Copenhaver, preacher, and Patrick Aiken, organist. A choir of musicians from Central Congregational Church, Providence, Rhode Island provided anthems and responses. The sermon, Gifted People, was based on the text from I Corinthians 12: 4-13a, and challenged the congregation to take pride in their art, to strive to offer the best, and to enter into a creative partnership with God.  

Each morning began with a chapel service in Manning Chapel. Leaders were the Rev. Susan DeSimone, the Rev. Rick Taylor, and Bill Green and Jani Gamble. Early risers witnessed to the benefits of beginning the day in a worship community. 

Monday evening’s worship continued to explore the theme of gifts as the Rev. Maren Tirabassi helped the congregation celebrate Epiphany in July. Beginning with a hymn prelude on "We Three Kings" played by organist Edward E. Clark, the music was appropriate to the season and included music of many cultures. Leon Burrows, pianist, added gospel accompaniments and a gift of improvisation from the organ. As the congregation departed, worshippers were asked to take an empty box and return it the next evening filled with a gift. Maren Tirabassi based her homily on the text of Matthew 2: 1-11, the visit of the wise men. Ed Clark sent the group on its way with a rousing version of "Go Tell It on the Mountain" by Emma Lou Diemer.

Tuesday evening worship, "Open Rehearsal," began with "Warming Up" – stretches, breathing, notes, and words. The Rev. Maren Tirabassi, noted poet and liturgist, shared her words in homily and liturgy; CJ Sambach, organist, and Carolyn Diamond, pianist, shared their music; those who brought boxes from the previous evening shared their gifts; the entire congregation shared in Communion.

Workshops and table talks that centered on the theme of worship included A Musical Potpourri: Bringing It All Together in Worship, Leon Burrows, clinician; Alternate Worship: and Evening Service of Praise, Prayer, and Song, Paul Mancini, table talk leader; Planning Non-Traditional Music For Worship: Which Box Are You In?, Bill Green and Janine Gamble, clinicians; The Changing Worship Scene, Martin B. Copenhaver, clinician; Doing a Lot With a Little: Simple Strategies for Creative Worship, Maren Tirabassi, clinician; In Words and Music: Reaching Out to the Congregation; Francis Morton, table talk leader. 

Other themes for workshops focused on improving the ability of the musician to be effective in their craft: Hymn Playing Basics at the Organ, John Stansell, clinician; Training Children’s Voices and Repertoire, Thomas Brand, clinician; From Whole Notes to Eighth Notes: Teaching Beginning Ringing, Maggie Tucker, clinician; The Emergency On-Call Organist, CJ Sambach, table talk leader; Piano Repertoire Appropriate for Worship, Sue Smith, table talk leader; You Want Me to Do What With These? Teaching Intermediate/Advanced Ringers, Maggie Tucker, clinician; Healthy Speaking, Healthy Singing, Rodney Gisick, clinician; Conducting From the Console, Ray Cornils, Clinician; Basic Choral Conducting, Marguerite L. Brooks, clinician; A Pianist’s Survival Guide to the Organ, Carolyn Diamond, clinician; Simple/Easy Repertoire for the Small (and Larger!) Adult Choir, CJ Sambach, clinician.  

The Rev. Susan DeSimone presented valuable information on interim ministry in a workshop and table talk; Bon Smith, introduced Digital Additions to Your Pipe Organ, in a table talk session; and Jane Leschuk and Jayson Engquist lead an exploration of Responding to Your Call: Commissioning by the UCC.  

An important session for establishing the theme and direction of each conference has been the Plenary Session on Monday morning under the guidance of Lowell Hoffman as facilitator. Serving on the panel were the Rev. Martin Copenhaver, the Rev. Maren Tirabassi, the Rev. Leon Burrows, Frances Morton, and Bill Green. The session began with a short skit, based on I Cor. 12: 14-26, starring the hand, eye, ear, nose, and mouth; and a tape of "One Voice," a high school choral group from Glen Elyn, Illinois, singing Allen Pote’s Many Gifts, One Spirit. The panel then presented their ideas on the Conference theme. Questions were posed by the audience and answered by the panel. Discussion continued over lunch; indeed, discussion continued throughout the week on the thoughts provoked in this session. This has been one of the strongest elements of past conferences and continued to be so again. 

There were also many informal opportunities to share ideas and make new friends. Each evening refreshments were provided after the final event of the day. The display room was filled with music and books of all descriptions for browsing or purchase.  

Tuesday evening a delicious banquet preceded the annual meeting of the UCC Musicians Association. The group received reports from the Board of Directors and the officers for the upcoming year were announced. John Stansell, incoming President and Chair of Conference 2002, recognized the Conference Committee and then turned the program to the “English Lady,” Susanna Bede Caroselli. She was assisted by "Sister Margarita” at the keyboard. The "demonstration" came as an admission of our "cultural ignorance and consequent thirst for enlightenment!" Initially, Sr. Bede's topic was to speak on music theory, particularly Derridian post-structuralism, in which she sings the seminal statements of deconstructionism to a medley of catchy tunes by Oliver Messiaen and Arvo Pärt. Taking pity on a room of ‘church musicians,’ a more practical track was taken. 

Sr. Bede's presentation continued with descriptions and sung examples of choir singers (all parts) and popular organ stops (all kinds) to the absolute delight of the well-wishing UCC Musicians. Several examples followed from the Pilgrim Hymnal, the only hymnal recognized by Sr. Bede, with advice on registration (drown out the singers) and writing descants (don't!!).  

Throughout the week all conferees were either part of the Conference Choir under the direction of Steve Mitchell, or the Conference Bell Choir, under the direction of Beverly Simpson. Their purpose was to prepare music for the final Festival Service on Wednesday while imparting some rehearsal techniques and ideas along the way. 

From the prelude to the postlude, executed with great style by organist Charles Miller; from the opening introit, “Many Gifts, One Spirit,” an anthem composed by Charles Callahan and commissioned by UCCMA for Conference 2002, to the final doxology, Wednesday’s Festal Service was an outstanding worship experience. The offertory anthem, “Shout For Joy” by C. Alexander Peloquin was filled with the Spirit. The sermon, “Choir Practice In Prison,” preached by Martin Copenhaver, sent the congregation forth inspired. This service was the culmination of a week of worshipping, studying and sharing. As people dispersed on the homeward journey, there was a pervading sense of renewal and gratitude as well as a longing to share the experiences that had renewed their spirits.

Click here for Conference 2002 Photo Gallery