Thursday 26 June 2014

June 2014 - Hymn Collection Recording

Helen, Sheila, Ann and Yvette
This May and June has seen the CMM team beavering away working on a new album to sit alongside the Roger Jones Hymn Collection.  The new updated version of the Hymn Collection book has been released for a few weeks now, and with 20 new hymns in the book, the two existing albums need to be joined by another.

Simon, Devon and Dave
For volume 3, a number of the hymns were already recorded, but a number more needed updating, or in two cases, completely new recordings.  Tim worked really hard through technical problems to sequence two new backing tracks, while Chris edited the existing recordings so that we could record new vocals.

Phil and Paul
Then in early June we had two nights in the studio, the first where we focused mainly on solos and unison work, with Yvette, Sheila, Ann, Helen, Simon, Devon and Dave.  On the second night Annie and Helen recorded a little bit of instrumental work, and then more singers arrived for solo and harmony work: Catherine, Ann, Katie, Paul, Phil and Dave.  One of the most exciting parts of that evening was recording the harmony backing to O my saviour, lifted.  It is going to be a beautiful track.

Congregational Recording evening
Then on a Tuesday evening later in June we 'borrowed' Lickey Church's 'Singing for Fun' group, who formed the basis of our exciting congregational recording.  They were supplemented by other friends from St Andrew's Barnt Green, the CMM Choir, and anyone else that fancied coming.  Sing for Fun were wonderful hosts, providing cakes and drinks too!  Helen led a warm up, then Roger and Annie led the evening, with Helen and Clive working the sound desk.  Mary and Amy ran the bookstall, which did pretty well - plenty of pre-orders for the new CD.  It is a great project, and we look forward to the album appearing in late July.  Chris has lots of work to do as he edits and mixes the tracks, so do pray for him, and Andrew is preparing the finished artwork.  CD production really is a team sport!

Helen, Annie, Ann and Katie hard at work
Annie, Catherine and Helen
Helen working with the guys
Chris hard at work
Roger leading the congregational evening
Wonderful singers gathered at Lickey Church
Going for a take
Annie leading another song
More amazing singers!

Thursday 19 June 2014

14-15 June 2014 Anniversary for Kidderminster Baptist Church

June 14th and 15th is the anniversary for Kidderminster Baptist Church, and this year marked 206 years of involvement in Kidderminster.  To celebrate, the church members decided to go away for a day's retreat, and then to have a special Sunday morning service and meal together.

It was a real honour for CMM to be asked to lead the weekend.  The minister of the church is Simon Gudger, and he along with his wife Lou have long been involved in CMM, taking part in the musicals Snakes and Ladders and Wildfire together, and Simon also was a soloist in Pharisee, Simeon, The Inn Crowd and Jail Break.

On the Saturday the retreat was held at Barnes Close, also known as the Community of Reconciliation, near to junction 4 of the M5.  Roger led the day, assisted by Helen, Ann and Christine.  The day didn't follow one of CMM's regular structures, but instead was much more of a quiet day.  Roger began by speaking about 'The Worship Seeker', and asked those present to draw a road map of their life, and illustrate it with occasions where God was actively seeking them out.  Then, after a coffee break, Helen spoke about the wonderful encounter between Jesus and Peter on the beach, and linked it in to teaching about the prayer ministry model used by Wholeness through Christ.  This enabled people to further add to their road maps occasions where maybe there was past trauma, and how God was bringing healing to wounds or breaking bondages.

After a lovely lunch Roger used the song 'Within the darkened womb' to show how precious we all are to God even right from conception.  Then the day was rounded off with a communion together.  Barnes Close was a lovely place for people to spend their free time reflecting and thinking, with lovely grounds.

On the Sunday morning the team reassembled at Kidderminster Baptist Church to lead the morning service.  It was great to see the whole congregation together and to worship alongside them as they celebrated all that God had done and all he is still going to do.  Helen led the service, and Roger spoke about the baptism of Jesus (very appropriate for Trinity Sunday!).  Jesus was committed, anointed and assured - and so too can we be.

After the service we shared in an amazing lunch together - the congregation will still be eating the leftovers for days.

Wednesday 18 June 2014

31 May 2014 A Welsh Weekend

Sandfields Methodist Church
As May turned into June, Helen and a team spent the weekend in South Wales.  This is the third such weekend Helen has led at Sandfields Methodist Church in Port Talbot, and this time the musical focus was Jerusalem Joy.  Bill travelled over to take the role of Jesus, and further assistance came from Deb on viola and backing track, and Peter on flute (as well as a Caiaphas cameo).  All of the other solo roles came from within the choir, including Helen's dad Chris (Judas), Gwyn (Herod) and John (Pilot).

It was a pleasure to be back at Sandfields again.  The choir were superb - a great tenor section particularly, as would be expected in Wales!  Very few of the singers read music, but they picked up the parts very quickly and easily.

After a shared tea, the choir and audience gathered for the performance.  It went amazingly well.  An exciting moment came at the end of the performance when Helen shared a little about how the story didn't stop there, but carried on right through to Pentecost and beyond - Bill read a little from the opening of Saints Alive.  It gave Helen the opportunity to share with those gathered some of the pictures and words of knowledge that EBRG had received on the Thursday beforehand - one of which was claimed immediately.

The following morning Helen led the service at Neath Methodist Church, another church in the circuit.  It was good to see members of the choir from the previous day, and also some new faces.

Neath Methodist Church

Thursday 12 June 2014

24-31 May 2014 Apostle at Abbot Hall

Sharon with the choir
The first of our summer music weeks arrived in style on the bank holiday week with Apostle at Abbot Hall, a Christian Guild hotel next to Kent's Bank station, near Grange-over-Sands.

Roger, Mary and Annie were the CMM team, along with Yvette, Jonathan and Sharon.  Sharon did a wonderful job training the choir - there were about 40 of them, with a really good balance between sopranos, altos, tenors and basses.  Pam helped Sharon by playing in some piano parts for the rehearsals.  Annie looked after the orchestra for the week, and they were blessed with some excellent players.

The team at Grange URC
A new feature of the week was that the team travelled away from the hotel for the Sunday morning service - they led morning worship at Grange URC.  Roger preached, and Annie led a block of worship.  It was good to get out and about into the local community.

It was also a delight to have Marion Owen ministering among us again as the Christian Guild 'host' for the week.  She is so good at looking after the guests.  One of the evenings was a social evening, and Anthony was let loose with his magic tricks!

The woodwind section
The Grange week is always a challenge for Roger, as it is the first outing for his music week talks of the year.  He spent much of the free afternoons preparing his talks for the next day, but the preparation was well worth it as he used Watchman Nee's 'Sit, Walk, Stand' as the basis for his talks.  The Holy Spirit was really moving among the guests, and a lot of deep and important ministry took place.

The final performance went amazingly well, and there were some outstanding contributions from some of the soloists.  Praise God for all he does through the music weeks each year.  It really is a privilege to be able to lead and bless people through them.