All God's Children Got a Seat in the Choir

Beth Marquart

I just read Donald's post about the Eucharist's and echo all that he has said. The worship is varied and wonderful and amazing and Christ centered.

I have been singing with the choir at most of the Holy Eucharist's. And it has been an amazing experience. The way it works is there is always the ‘core’ choir made up of members of the Bishop’s Choir of the St. John’s Cathedral in LA.

Then most days there is also another choir – one day the Children’s Choir of the Diocese of LA sang, another was those of Spanish-speaking descent, another the Episcopal Gospel Choir.

And then there are those, like me, who belong to the ‘pick up’ choir. We come running in 10 minutes before the Eucharist is scheduled to begin, find a seat and sing the melody line of whatever the other choirs are doing or we clap and sway in time as best we are able.

Yesterday a monk from Eastern Washington turned around and complimented me on my ability to enunciate my ending consonants so precisely and somehow we got talking about the Yankees being in town and his preference for the Mariners….but, I digress.

Here are the things I’ve gained from singing in the choir, along with the other of God’s children:

- The choir always has great seats and this is no different. We have a wonderful view of the altar, the lectors and preachers. Yesterday we saw dancers, bearing jewel-toned flags, surround the altar. We also heard the Korean Children’s Drum Corp drum the Bishops into the worship space and watched Presiding Bishops Browning, Griswald and Jefferts-Shori take their places behind the altar.
- The variety of musical expression reminds me, as a classically trained musician, that music well done is, well, music well done! We went from full out gospel to a traditional hymn back-to-back and it was good.
- I’ve met people from all over the country and beyond.
- I am contributing the Celebration of the Holy Eucharist in a way that comforts me.

Amen, Amen