Special Report: United Methodists Got Talent

I have often thought the worship service should end after the soloist sings. The pastor should just say “Amen” and thank the Lord for the blessing everyone just received through a beautiful voice expressing inspired words of praise. You know, just stop while you’re ahead. There are more than 34,000 United Methodist churches in the United States and in each one is at least one singer whose voice pierces the hearts of the faithful most Sundays. The talents vary but the passion is the same. United Methodist News Service sent out a call to annual (regional) conference communicators asking for some names of “terrific voices” that deserved to be heard by a larger audience. Five nominated singers are being profiled in a special report that will include photos, video and recordings. Read Kathy Gilbert's essay
 

Deaf singer becomes ‘word made flesh’
William Suggs Jr. has never heard a single note of music or a beautiful voice singing a hymn. Yet his performance of “Sweet Little Jesus Boy” will take your breath away. Suggs, who was born profoundly deaf and is losing his eyesight, uses sign language to turn hymns into “holy signed dances.” “He becomes the music…his arms enfold and become ‘Sweet Little Jesus Boy,’ said Carol Stevens, deaf ministries coordinator at Christ United Methodist Church. “His powerful fists cut through the air to become God Almighty. He becomes the ‘word made flesh.’" Read story   

Music director feels God’s presence in every note
Tears fell from the faces of Good Friday worshippers at First United Methodist Church of Kennedale as Enrique Sanchez-Jeffery sang “The Day He Wore My Crown.” That they were still falling in the parking lot after the service was a testimony to how Sanchez-Jeffery made the enormity of Christ’s sacrifice resonate in the hearts of the Texas congregation. Yet the music director did not even have to look up to know the Holy Spirit was in the house that day. It was a feeling inside him. “It’s just like I can feel God’s presence in every song, every note,” he said. Read story   

Pastor upholds singing legacy that began in burlesque halls
Susan Boyle, the Scottish singer who became an overnight sensation, is 47. The Rev. Charlene Harris Allen, pastor of Walkerton United Methodist Church in northern Indiana, is 48. Boyle says she never had a chance for stardom until she auditioned for the television show “Britain’s Got Talent.” Allen was a professional singer before losing her voice at age 18 and slowly worked her way back. So when Boyle inspired the world with her stereotype-shattering performance, Allen summed up her own feelings in three words on a Web posting: “You go, girl!” Read story   

Performer relies on gospel music and God’s promises
In Proverbs, it says, “God will make room for your gifts.” Greta Oglesby says: Count on it. Oglesby’s joy of singing began as one of five siblings in the choir of her father’s church. Today she is a professional actor and singer who has won acclaim across the country. What has strengthened her on her journey has been the sacred songs she learned as a child. “Gospel music has gotten me through some low points,” Oglesby said. “R&B and jazz just can’t touch it. An old hymn can lift me out of some low places.” And there have been many trials. Read story   

Joy of music is constant in choir director’s life
Fran Wilson was born “way out in the country” in West Kansas and everybody in his family, at his school and in his church sang. But the first time other people started telling him he was especially good at it was when the trio he was in earned a blue ribbon at 4H. In college, he wanted to sign up as a music major, but he also wanted to play football. He was told he couldn’t do both. He briefly considered going for a math major so he could play football but knew he would be happiest teaching music. After teaching music for 34 years, he knows he made the right choice. Read story   

What about United Methodists who can’t sing?
People like me are a problem for churches. Congregational singing is a sign of vitality. In theory, everyone is encouraged to participate. No voice should be left behind in an institution that prides itself on valuing the diversity of God’s gifts. But what should a pastor or music director do when someone drowns out others in the church? Or when a church member with little or no musical skills but great enthusiasm wants to join the choir? Is there a point when the aesthetics of the service take precedence over the desire to be inclusive in worship? Read David Briggs' commentary