theology – that is, people know what we believe and how we are informed and compelled to act in the world by listening to what we pray and experiencing how we worship. Liturgy is the place where we dare to bring together all that is of ultimate significance to us in the way of scripture, music, proclamation, spirituality, ethics, and pastoral concerns. It can summon and sustain the most basic and profound longings of people to be drawn into the heart of God. Liturgy provides the space in which the dynamic drama of our lives in relation to God and each other can unfold. It has the power to express and shape our realities and the power to create and transform individuals and communities. Through it the transcendent is made immanent, and we are called to new lives of service by our participation. The question becomes, as church musicians, what are our roles in this particular drama, to what godly service are we being called? The 2008 Mississippi Conference theme, “Transforming Your World as Performer, Teacher, Pastor, and Prophet,” will explore this question. Through singing, praying, reflecting, sharing, and celebrating together, we will look at our vocation as church musicians who perform, teach, pastor, and offer a prophetic voice to the particular worlds of our influence, and to the larger world, all in great need of our ministry. Together with the faculty and staff we will address the nuts and bolts of these roles and bring plenty of ideas and resources to the experience. Please join us to examine how we might claim our ministry to offer liturgy powerful enough to transform our world. The week will be a time of spiritual renewal and learning. Year to year the faculty is made up of the country’s most respected musicians and clergy.
There are services daily, evensong to be held at St. Philip's Episcopal Church, and the concluding service at the Cathedral Parish of Saint Andrew in Jackson.
Workshops on service playing, vocal techniques, children's choirs, and service sheets will be offered.
You will experience great hospitality, excellent teaching, preaching, and singing. We believe that this will be our strongest year ever and we hope you will join us at Gray Center this August. |
