Music alone with sudden charms can bindIn the unity of song we experience community unlike that of any other fellowship. On those few occasions when I have an opportunity to sing from the pews or a choir loft, I am usually moved to tears not only by the beauty of the music itself but also by the sheer power of music to calm and comfort us, to inspire and unite us. An idea that started here in Seattle caught the imagination of singing groups around the world. As many of you know, on September 11, 2002, at precisely 8:46 a.m. in whatever time zone they are in, choirs from around the world will perform the "Rolling Requiem" - a singing of Mozart's Requiem to commemorate events of last September 11 and to let human voices ring out over the pain and sorrow of this tragic year. Our own Seattle Symphony Chorus will sing at the Paramount Theater on that day under the direction of Gerard Schwarz.
The wand 'ring sense, and calm the troubled mind.
—from Hymn to Harmony by William Congreve
Churches around the country will be holding special commemorative services in September with great emphasis on music. Here at Kirkland Congregational Church we will have the opportunity to sing some hymns that have been written since September 11th by both veteran and emerging writers from North America and the United Kingdom.
In the July 2002 issue of The Hymn (the journal of The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada, inc., of which I am a member) were reprinted texts to new and moving hymns that we will sing each week during the month of September (starting September 8). In the accompanying article John Thornburg reports, "A group of 12 hymn texts... were chosen from three dozen texts written shortly after the terrorist attacks. I The majority of texts received were written for pre-existing tunes. This made it possible to get the hymns in quick circulation to offer comfort and urge restraint to a stunned nation. Twenty percent of the texts submitted begin with the word when, thus grounding the text in a moment in time. The texts combine theology and ethics, speaking both of the God who stands among us in trauma and the God who calls us to faithful action. With the skin of American invincibility so dramatically pierced, people of faith everywhere will continue to reflect on the meaning of September 11th. We hope that these texts are helpful in the reflection, especially as we come to the first anniversary of the attacks." Please come and sing. Invite a neighbor, friend or family member who may need community and comfort to come along.
Ele Nash
Music Director