Kindling Holiness

"Look!" exclaimed one voice.  "What do you see?" I asked.  "Real candles!"  Standing in the Quire of York Minster Cathedral as we were about to begin rehearsal for Evensong, my eye was directed to the candlelit sconces that graced the choir stalls at measured intervals.  In one of England's largest Gothic cathedrals, this relatively small detail had enormous impact.  Rather than the small electric lamp stands so often found in other cathedral quires, the candlelit sconces at York cast a halo of light that shimmered with holiness and enveloped all in a glow of warmth and hospitality.

Our stay at York Minster was rich and full.  In no time, the musicians of Christ Church Cathedral commanded the space with their signature warmth and and exquisite skill.  Their gifts were beautifully matched with those of our host cathedral.  The dean, clergy, vergers and countless volunteers of York Minister welcomed us each day and effortlessly folded us into the life and leadership of worship as if it were our home.

Each day, curious tourists were drawn to the Quire during our rehearsals and found themselves staying long past their intended departure so that they could attend Evensong. Day by day the numbers grew of those who said that they attended worship on our first day and were compelled to return to hear this lovely American choir.  Faithful worshippers from across the world introduced themselves as we joyfully greeted familiar faces from Christ Church Cathedral who had arranged their summer travel to coincide with our residency at York. Choir members were often recognized throughout the town, thanked for their leadership of worship and cheered along their way.

Each night, as we gathered for our night prayers the choristers gave thanks for the gifts of the day and shared aloud where they had seen God.  The kindnesses shown to us throughout the day did not go unnoticed.  When spoken aloud, they seemed to inspire the choristers to also notice the many small acts of kindness offered by their fellow choristers, choir men and faithful chaperones.  Their words of gratitude kindled a warmth not unlike the candlelit sconces of the York Minister Quire, and a sense of belonging grew.

Jesus said that the kingdom of God is like the smallest of seeds; yet when sown in the ground, it grows into greatest of trees where the birds of the air can make nests in its branches.
                                                                  -Mark 4:30-32; Luke


Dean Carol Wade

York Minster

My experience in York Minster was a once in a lifetime experience. The opportunity of being able to sing in a cathedral over a thousand years old is truly fantastic. After seeing the York Minster choir perform on Sunday, our whole choir was in true awe of the choir and the sound that could be made in the minster. And it was possible because of the wonderful hospitality shown at the York Minster. One of the biggest part of my experience in York was a change in vocal parts this year in England, as I shifted from the Cathedral Boys Choir to the Cathedral Men's Choir. It is a great experience learning the alto parts in pieces, but even better that I had the chance to be able to do that at York Minster. I also enjoy the trips to England, and the different cultures of the different cities we have visited.


Edward Naish

Sharing the Gospel Through Music

Our time in York has been truly amazing. The Cathedral Choir has been greeted extraordinarily well and made feel welcome wherever we go. 

Our days have included times of rehearsals, meal times, excursions in and outside of the city walls. Each day, we sing Evensong for hundreds of pilgrims and tourists, sharing the gospel of Christ through music. 

 

The choristers have worked diligently on their craft and as a result have received high marks for their singing and presentation in Yorkminster. Many have mistaken them for the Minster Choir! What a tremendous place this is historically, geographically and so filled with the Spirit of God. Thank you for your prayers and deep support as we move forward in our journey. 

Erich Balling, Canon Musician

Becoming Part of History

York, England is an intriguing city. Everywhere you turn, there is
some piece of history that murmurs with the past: the column that
stood in the Roman fortress, the ancient Monk Gate and the walls of
the city of York, the famous Shambles street, as well as streets made
with cobblestones.

York Minster Cathedral has its own history and secrets. Built in the
13th century on top of the ruins of the ancient Roman fortress, the
Cathedral houses Medieval stained glass windows, the vaults of past
Archbishops, and the beautiful painted organ pipes. Few musicians in
the world have conducted, sung, or played the organ in the Minster. To
be able to become part of the Minster's musical history is utterly
incomprehensible.

Erich, Kathleen, and I got the rare chance of being alone in the
Cathedral on Tuesday night. After finishing our practice and
preparation for Evensong the next day, we stood in the Nave of the
Cathedral at 10:50pm and were silent, looking up at the tower. You
could sense the walls, the artifacts, the windows, even the air around
you whispering history, expressing stories of the past. Over the
hundreds of years that the Cathedral has stood, many people have
worshiped God, have come to know Christ, have heard heaven-like music,
and have been laid to rest in this sacred space. To hear the silence
of the York Minster spoke volumes. To now have our God-given talent
and gifts to be a part of the Minster's musical history is truly an
honor and a blessing from God.

                                       Soli Deo Gloria

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father
of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. ~
James 1:17

Lisa Hall, Assistant Cathedral Organist

An Eye-Opening Experience

My experience in York has been an eye-opening experience. Compared with my trips to Lincoln and Ely, this has been just as successful a trip, if not more. Our musical achievements have been breathtaking and our other activities have been extremely entertaining and fulfilling. The experience of singing in the Minster is like no other, as the acoustics of the cathedral are extremely unique. Gardiner's Evening Hymn was notable, as the volume required for parts of that piece is only enhanced by the huge echo of the room. To see the faces of the congregation as they listen to us sing is truly outstanding.

Connor Dellarosa

New posts from the 2014 Choir Tour coming soon!

The Cathedral Choir will be heading off to England July 18, 2014, through July 28, 2014. Check back here to follow their experience this summer!

The Face of Mission

The Face of Mission

What does mission look like?  If you ask me, or any member of the cathedral choir who participated in our pilgrimage, mission looks like the face of a woman name Sadie, who ran the Travelodge in Ely, England. Our first encounter with Sadie came during our nightly Compline services; we had wanted to hold the service outside, but rain forced us into the hotel lobby.  As the choir's young people gathered around to hear Scripture and pray for their loved ones back home, Sadie, barely visible behind the counter, listened. But she wasn't listening to our funny accents, she was listening to our prayers. And when the youth started in on the Lord's Prayer, Sadie closed her eyes, and with tears streaming down, joined us as she mouthed the words.

When the service ended, several of us struck up a conversation with Sadie, asking about her town, her job, her life.  Sadie's life has been one of struggle:  an estranged marriage, health issues, too many bills. That service, she told us, was the first time she had been "in church" in 25 years!  "What happened?" I asked. "Life," she replied.

During our stay Sadie went out of her way to make us feel as comfortable as possible. And on Saturday night, she (on her day off) brought her son to hear our choir sing Evensong in the cathedral's Lady Chapel. Tears of pride swelled in her eyes, tears that came from direct contact with the Spirit of God. Those same tears were present as she joined us for Morning Prayer and saw us off when we left from Ely for Edinburgh two days later. She had become part of our family, our story, our church.

For all the beautiful music that the choir provided (and believe me, it was BEAUTIFUL) many youth and adults alike pointed to Sadie and said, "This is why we are here." Mission is about making relationships and sharing God's love with those around us. Not only did we share that love with Sadie, but she, through her storytelling and attention to our needs, shared it with us. Our choir members offered glorious music with the cathedrals of Ely and Edinburgh, but their serenade of Sadie prior to a 6:30 am bus ride was, for me, the highlight of the trip.  It was as though every member of the choir understood in that moment that God was present, and that this was foretaste of the Kingdom.

We sometimes like to imagine mission on a grand scale (building houses, repairing bridges, preaching to non-believers). But more often than not mission happens in the unexpected relationships that we form. None of us will forget Sadie, and her story reminds us that the face of God is present in everyone.  We need only create the space where the music of the Spirit can be heard.

Joe Mitchell, Curate