Each one of us has a different way to tell time. Of course, we all have clocks and calendars that divide our lives into neatly defined, equal periods of time. But that’s not how we as creatures of habit tell time.
Some tell time through nature. Maybe it’s when certain trees or flowers bloom or when tree leaves change color and fall to the ground. Perhaps you notice the passage of time through the change in temperature from cool to warm, to hot, to hotter, and then back again. Some tell time through holidays or vacations (I love the European way of calling a vacation “on holiday”). Maybe your mind moves from Christmas to Valentine’s, to Easter, to Memorial Day, to the 4th of July, to Halloween, to Thanksgiving, and back to Christmas with birthdays and annual trips to the beach or mountains sprinkled in between. Some tell time through the school year. If you have children or are a teacher you know beginnings of semesters, in-service days, fall and spring breaks, field trips, deadlines, testing weeks, and that last day of school.
Here’s how I tell time. I begin the year focused on the Valentine Dinner. From there I move to prep for Holy Week and Easter music. From there all effort goes into planning for Music Camp. After Music Camp, planning begins for the fall with children as well as adults. We usually have a Reformation service with a mass choir. Then it is full on to Christmas celebrations. Then the cycle begins again. Other things happen – other important things – during the year, but these events are what divide my year.
This past year has been a long one for me. I couldn’t tell time because none of these things were happening. We started by not having anything close to our normal Easter services in 2020. Then Music Camp was cancelled. It was shown no mass choirs would be possible for some time, so our Reformation service was cancelled. Thankfully, we began a smaller choir in August and prepared a pared down concert while focusing on what we could do to make our service an offering of our best in this time. Still, the Valentine dinner was lost due to an uptick in cases.
Through it all, there have been trying times for me as I have lived seemingly through ten years in one.
But I believe we have turned a corner. Easter was wonderful as we all worshipped together. Seeing our family together along with a lot of new faces that God has brought into our midst has been a source of great encouragement.
And now – Music Camp! I cannot wait for Music Camp this year. It is June 7-11! Knowing we will have a large number of children singing, laughing, yelling, stinking, and learning in our church building this coming June gives me spirit in my step. Music Camp this year will be extra special – we will have a few special surprises, but it will be special because we will be together.
Can you help us make it special? We need a few things: We need prayer. There are a lot of details to decide for a camp of this size during a time such as this (we are studying Esther), and prayer is needed for these details, as well as for the teachers, helpers, and students.
We also need helpers! If you are in middle school, high school, or an adult, I need to hear from you so I can plug you in.
And we need children! Invite neighbors, friends, and co-workers’ children. Bring your children and grandchildren. Registration goes live this week on our website, and forms will be available at the church office. Family maximums, as well as scholarships, are available upon request, so if you need these, please come to the church and fill out a form instead of the online form.
I am excited and ready for time to stop standing still as our lives slowly return to a natural rhythm.
~Jeremy Gaines
