Sightings and Soundings • February 2023

The Habit of Hope

We find ourselves perched on the outer edge of Lent, a season during which we prepare our weary hearts for transformation as we journey toward the hope of Resurrection. This Lenten tension reminds us that the hopeful movement toward Resurrection is often infused with hardship, sometimes turmoil, always complexity.

In her book Becoming Wise: An Inquiry into the Mystery and Art of Living, American journalist Krista Tippett compellingly describes hope:

I define hope as distinct from optimism or idealism. It has nothing to do with wishing. It references reality at every turn and reveres truth. It lives open eyed and wholeheartedly with the darkness that is woven ineluctably into the light of life and sometimes seems to overcome it. Hope, like every virtue, is a choice that becomes a habit that becomes spiritual muscle memory. It's a renewable resource for moving through life as it is, not as we wish it to be.

This month, we pay musical homage to this complicated notion of hope. Brahms' A German Requiem seeks to console the desolate, reminding the soul which longs and faints of its fundamental dwelling place. The Chancel Choir will present the central movement of this masterwork in worship on February 26 before presenting the requiem in its entirety alongside the Greensboro Symphony Master Chorale that same afternoon at 4:00 PM.

As we move toward Lent, we also commemorate Black History Month and the great tradition of the spiritual, a genre whose texts resound with an unshakeable hope in the midst of unthinkable despair. We'll hear solo spirituals sung in worship on February 12, 19, and 26 before hearing a program of spirituals on Tuesday, February 28, at 12:00 PM, presented by Chicago-based baritone Nicholas Davis, the first recital in Centenary's new Lenten Noontime Series.

The virtue of hope, as Tippett notes, is a choice - a habit practiced, a gesture honed. Join us as we explore hope, that it may become “spiritual muscle memory,” renewing and reorienting us as we journey on.

Jonathan Emmons Director of Music Ministries

The Tale of the Tintinnabulum

To the tintinnabulation that so musically wells, From the bells, bells, bells, bells, bells, bells, bells, From the jingling and the tinkling of the bells.

Worship at a Glance

Feb. 5: Communion

Feb. 12: Carillonneurs

Feb. 19: Kristin Schwecke, Soprano

Feb. 26: Nicholas Davis, Baritone

PM Johannes Brahms: A German Requiem Details can be found on the next page. In the spring of 2007, when the Senior Adults visited Goodson Chapel at Duke University, a most unusual arrangement of bells strung from a wooden cross caught my eye. The instrument was called a “tintinnabulum.” An odd word, I thought, but upon further digging in my memory, I recalled the word “tintinnabulation” in the poem “The Bells” by Edgar Allan Poe. So taken was I with this new instrument that then and there I thought, “Centenary must have one!” I quickly sketched the tintinnabulum to show David Pegg, Director of Music Ministries, and Camille Jones, Director of Handbell Choirs. They immediately agreed that this would be an exciting addition to our worship. When, after much research, I could not find a liturgical connection to the tintinnabulum, I emailed the Chaplain of Goodson Chapel, Sally Bates. She replied, “I like to think that it is announcing the arrival of the liturgical processional. First the cross, then the light of Christ, then the clanging ‘herald.’ Lift up your heads! Something wondrous is about to happen, give your attention here! The bells signal the procession even before the cross can be seen by most of the congregation.” Sally also generously gave us information for its construction and stated “any good craft person” could produce a like instrument. I then contacted fellow Centenary member Paul Meier to ask him to create the cross for the tintinnabulum. He readily agreed.

Next, I knew I needed to find the all-important bells. After months of silence from the original company I contacted, I found a new supplier with which it was a joy to work (even with an exchange for a larger size of bell). Because of their kindness and support, I christened these bells “The Holy Spirit Bells.”

One week before Christmas 2008, Paul, his wife Linda, and I met at their home to construct the tintinnabulum. I measured and cut the ribbons in liturgical colors and attached the bells to them. Paul attached the finished streamers to the top of the cross, and Linda dropped a tiny drop of glue on the ribbons to keep the weight of the bells from pulling the knots out of the ribbons. Finishing our project in one afternoon, we delivered the tintinnabulum to the choir room that day!

On Christmas Sunday, Anne Morgan, bell ringer extraordinaire, led the procession into the sanctuary “to the tintinnabulation that so musically wells from the bells, bells, bells.” The morning’s bulletin contained the following dedication:

To the glory of God and in the appreciation for the Music Ministry at Centenary United Methodist Church. Given by Linda and Paul Meier and Helen and Warren Kennedy.

- Helen Harris Kennedy (Mrs. Warren H.)

Photo Credit: Doug Peninger

Lenten Noontime Series

We invite you to the Sanctuary each Tuesday of Lent for a 30-minute noontime musical presentation. This year’s musicians will include:

February 28: Nicholas Davis, Baritone

March 7: New Day Singers

March 14: Josh Sobel, Organ

March 21: Jonathan Emmons, Piano

March 28: Corine Brouwer, Violin

April 4: Liquid Fire, Piano Duo

Please join us as we meditate on the Lenten message while awaiting the joy of Easter.

July 17 - 20, 2023

8:30 AM - 12:00 PM

CMA Camp is offered for infants through rising 5th graders. Offerings include singing, handbells, Orff handchimes, creative movement, art, Kindermusik, and more! Snack is provided daily. The week ends with a camper-led worship service on Thursday at 12:30 PM followed by refreshments. Don’t miss out on this fun-filled week!

✷ Advent 2022 at Centenary ✷