Faith in our Music
Many Voices, Diverse Chords, Common Hopes
Date: September 23-25, 2014
Worship Leaders: John Bell, Warren Cooper, Amanda Powell
Event location: Union Presbyterian Seminary, 3401 Brook Road, Richmond,
VA 23227
Registration: $195 for the first two registrants from one church; $125 for
subsequent registrants. Cost includes dinner on Tuesday and Wednesday,
lunch on Wednesday, and breakfast on Thursday.
CEUs: 1.6
One of the most effective and participatory parts of worship is the music. Worship
music has changed tremendously over the past 30 years, and is changing still! This
three-day conference will introduce new music and new music styles that can be used in
your church’s worship. Through worship services in different styles, two workshop
opportunities on different topics, panel discussions, and more, we will put our many
voices and diverse experiences together to build hope in our faith and in the church.
Pastors, church musicians, worship leaders, and those interested in church music are
welcome to attend. A discount is offered for groups who register from the same church
with more than two people.
Space is limited – register early!
Click here to register online for Faith in Our Music. To register by mail or fax, fill out the
form at the end of this page.
About the Workshops:
Praise the Lord with the Sound of . . . Children: Music with Children of All Ages
Beverly S. Bailey
Whether it's through a graded choir program for your youngest child through senior high youth,
or more informal times with the children, music is essential to the children in our churches.
Children learn about their faith through simple songs and harmonies. Using easy rhythmic
instruments to enhance songs they already know teaches them cooperation. They learn their
first Bible verses through music. They move to music and the Holy Spirit moves with them and
through them. No one can teach a new song to the congregation better than children. Come
find new ways to include children in your music program . . . or to enhance their faith lives
through melody, movement, and 'playing' with God through music.
Helping God’s People to Find Their Voice
John Bell
Most church musicians are schooled in instrumental and choral work. But given that, biblically
speaking, the voice of the congregation is the primary vessel of praise, how is its song
encouraged, especially if a congregation is small or believes that it can't sing?
For the past 20 years, John Bell has been working on this issue throughout the Western world
and further afield and shares insights which having much less to do with having a degree in
music than in understanding and being kind to the congregation.
Groove, Sway, Swing . . . and the “Worship Music” Thing
Warren Cooper
This is an interactive conversation concerning the different angles of "feeling" that are available
in the Sounds of Worship, and their propriety, relevance and function within the Reformed
liturgical context. We will explore some available options for infusing a variety of "rhythms" and
"harmonies" into worship, and examine how choices that are correctly calibrated with your
worship community can enhance the worship experience and increase the effectiveness of your
corporate journey to discipleship.
Music with the World
Amanda Powell
This workshop will be a conversation about the rich hymnody emerging from churches around
the world. Explore ways that this music invites depth and connection into worship using the
new Presbyterian hymnal, Glory to God, as a primary resource. Participants from all
denominations will appreciate this exploration.
The Art of Accompanying: Music as a Resource for Pastoral Care
Carol Schweitzer
Participants in this workshop will have opportunities to reflect on case studies that reflect a
wide spectrum of pastoral care needs in congregational life. They will learn from Dr.
Schweitzer’s sabbatical research on the intersections of music and pastoral care in order to
develop a “playlist” that may be used to facilitate healing during times of loss, stress, family
crises—especially with adolescents, and issues related to memory loss and aging. She will
provide a brief overview of how an understanding of musical terms and metaphors provide a
solid foundation for improving one’s pastoral care abilities. The music examined during this
workshop will include vocal and instrumental music that is sacred as well as secular music
(show tunes and popular music).
Ebony and Ivory: Keys to Harmony Between Pastor and Minister of Music
Charles Summers and Suzanne Riehl
Few roles in church life must work as closely as pastor and minister of music. Both are
professionally trained. Both have essential parts in worship and in congregational life.
In this workshop we will look at how the two job descriptions, both written and unwritten,
intersect. We will lay out various ways that one can support and enhance the other. We will
examine common roadblocks. There will be some “role play” to enliven the reality of this
important topic. There will be plenty of time for discussion and reflection.
About the Leaders:
John L. Bell is a native of Kilmarnock, who lives in Glasgow where he
studied Arts and Theology. After spells of voluntary work in London and
Amsterdam, and engagements in student politics, he was ordained by the
Church of Scotland. For ten years he worked in youth ministry before
transferring to concentrate on music and worship. He lectures, preaches
and conducts seminars across the denominations in Europe, the Americas,
Asia, and in Southern Africa. He is a hymn writer, author and occasional
broadcaster on national radio and television, but retains a primary passion
for congregational song. He and the work he shares with his colleagues has been honored by
the Royal School of Church Music, the Hymn Society in the US & Canada, and the University of
Glasgow, the first and second of which bestowed on him the status of Fellowship, the third a
Doctorate.
John is a Resource Worker for Wild Goose Resource Group, a semi-autonomous project of The
Iona Community and an expression of its commitment to the renewal of music and worship. He
does not have a mobile phone, driving license, camera, IPod, or wife. He has never traced his
family origins, played a guitar or eaten a Big Mac.
Warren Cooper is a native of Philadelphia, PA, who has been a
professional musician since the age of 9. He was raised and nurtured in
Berean Presbyterian Church as the son of its pastor – singing in, playing
for, and later directing three of the church’s five choirs. Having studied
at Oberlin Conservatory of Music and with many of the masters of
Classical, Sacred, and Jazz Composition, and Performance, Warren has
emerged as a trend-setting pioneer within the genres of Jazz Worship
and Sacred Jazz Music; and also as an arranger, composer, director,
performer, and producer (with a host of CD’s, hundreds of songs and thousands of studio hours
to his credit).
Warren lectures, performs, and ministers nationally in both the Sacred and Secular Jazz
Performance idioms. He is the featured vocalist and/or music director for a number of
ensembles (including Presbybop, The Warren Cooper Sacred Jazz Quartet, The Alexander
Cooper Project, and Anointed Praise), and has been a featured performer at the Philadelphia
Kimmel Center, the Washington National Cathedral, and the Chautauqua Institution as well as
Jazz Festivals, churches, and arenas around the world. Warren is the Executive Producer for
Music Media Ministry – a Philadelphia, PA based Media Broadcast Production Company that is
pioneering new pathways into church health, ministry growth, and worship-based evangelism.
In this ministry and beyond, Warren continues to blaze new trails in the evolution of traditional
Christian worship and liturgy, and into the innovative resourcing of 21st century focused
ministries which are seeking to actively engage their communities in Gospel witness.
Amanda Powell, musician and educator, enjoys a vibrant career leading
community singing through global music. Her interest in this work began
after a three-month trip to Southeast Asia with the United Methodist
Church in 2001. Since then, Amanda has continued her world travels,
collecting stories and songs along the way. Amanda has served as a songleader, liturgist, and workshop leader for numerous events and
organizations including with The World Council of Churches, the
Presbyterian Association of Musicians, The United Methodist Women,
Princeton Theological Seminary, and the United Church of Christ. Amanda also enjoys a
successful singing career and especially enjoys performing with Cleveland’s Baroque Orchestra,
Apollo’s Fire. Amanda is Director of Music at Federated Church in Chagrin Falls, OH, and lives in
Cleveland Heights with her twin daughters, Sofia and Luisa. www.amandapowell.info
Beverly S. Bailey served as either musician or educator for 27 years at six
churches in National Capital Presbytery. She is a graduate of Union/PSCE in
Richmond with a Master’s degree in Christian Education, and became a
Certified Christian Educator in 1992. She has co-authored two books for
Abingdon Press called Something Old, Something New—Hymns to Sing,
Activities to Do (general and seasonal), teaching both classic and
contemporary hymns to mixed ages. She also wrote Lectionary Worship
Workbook: Series IV, Cycle A for CSS Publishing House, which contains
worship ideas for each week of the year.
Bev served as Moderator of National Capital Presbytery in 2000, and was chair of presbytery’s
Council. She was managing partner for “New Paths,” a group of artists who taught classes, led
workshops and retreats that merged Bible Study with music, art, and drama from 1997-2002.
Bev was Honorably Retired in November, 2004 and now resides in Bethany Beach, Delaware
where she served for seven years as the Choir Director at Ocean View Presbyterian Church. She
is involved with New Castle Presbytery, currently serving on the Leadership Development
Committee and previously on the Committee on Ministry.
Bev is married to Don Bailey, is proud of their two grown sons and wives, and is crazy about
their four grandchildren.
Douglas Brown is the music director at Ginter Park Presbyterian Church and
at Union Presbyterian Seminary. In addition to directing choirs and
accompanying services at both places, Doug is an avid arranger and
occasional composer of music for worship. He is also a parent to six
children.
Paul Galbreath is Professor of Worship and Preaching at Union
Presbyterian Seminary. He came to the seminary in 2005 from the Office
of Theology and Worship where he served as a member of the General
Assembly staff for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Paul has particular
interests in the sacraments and in ritual action (and in the sacraments as
ritual action). His most recent books are Leading from the Table and
Leading through the Water (both from Alban Press).
Paul has earned doctorate degrees in Biblical studies and in Theology. An
ordained Presbyterian teaching elder, Paul has served congregations in Clatskanie, Woodburn,
and Warrenton, Oregon as well as in Tacoma, Washington. In 2001, he was elected Moderator
of Olympia Presbytery. His service to the church includes leadership roles as a member of the
Consultation on Common Texts, a delegate to the English Language Liturgical Consultation, a
member of the Sacrament Study Task Force and a member of the Cooperative Committee on
Examinations.
In 1981, Paul married Jan Vincent Galbreath, who works as a speech pathologist for the
Richmond Public School District. Their son Andi lives in Portland, Oregon where he is a
performance artist and yoga instructor. Galbreath’s interests include art, architecture, film,
soccer (particularly the Portland Timbers), and baseball.
Suzanne Riehl has served as Minister of Music at First Presbyterian Church, Richmond since
1997. She is a graduate of Lebanon Valley College, Westminster Choir College, and began
doctoral work at The Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. She was a professor of Organ
and Sacred Music at Lebanon Valley College before moving to Richmond, VA. She was the music
director for the Presbyterian National General Assembly held in Richmond VA in 2004.
Two wonderful blessings in her life are her children: Emily, now working on a master’s degree
at Duke University and Nathan, singing in the choir at The Riverside Church in NYC and singing
and playing guitar in various groups around the city. She loves her work at First Presbyterian
Church in Richmond VA!
Carol L. Schnabl Schweitzer is Associate Professor of Pastoral Care at
Union Presbyterian Seminary. She earned her Ph.D. at Princeton
Theological Seminary, an M.Div. at Lutheran School of Theology in
Chicago, and her Bachelor of Music degree at Westminster Choir College.
Carol’s main interests include pastoral theology and the psychology of
religion. She has experience as a pastoral counselor and family therapist.
An ordained minister in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, she
has served as a pastor in several Pennsylvania churches.
Her current research interests focus on the intersections between music, pastoral theology, and
psychoanalytic theory. She has published journal articles in Pastoral Psychology that focus on
the power of music – both its healing potential as well as the ways in which it may become
hurtful.
Charlie Summers is the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of
Richmond, VA. He is a graduate of Davidson College and Louisville
Presbyterian Theological Seminary. He received his D. Min. degree
from Columbia Theological Seminary. He has pastored churches in
Washington, D.C. and Charlotte, N.C., and served as the Chaplain at
Davidson College. Charlie was a guest columnist for a year for The
Charlotte Observer. He is married to Marsha and they have three
grown children. Charlie served on the board of The Presbyterian
Outlook magazine, Interpretation: A Journal of Bible and Theology, and is currently the chair of
the board of Boaz and Ruth, Inc.
Beverly Zink-Sawyer is the Samuel W. Newell, Jr., Professor of Preaching
and Worship at Union Presbyterian Seminary. An ordained minister of the
Presbyterian Church (USA), she served churches in Pennsylvania and
Tennessee for fifteen years. She is a graduate of Dickinson College,
Princeton Theological Seminary, and Vanderbilt University. During the
2000-2001 academic year, she was a Lilly Faculty Fellow of the Association
of Theological Schools. She is the editor of Series 3 of the Abingdon
Women’s Preaching Annual (Abingdon Press), the author of From Preachers
to Suffragists: Woman’s Rights and Religious Conviction in the Lives of Three NineteenthCentury American Clergywomen (Westminster John Knox Press), and one of the authors of the
2008 New Proclamation Commentary (Fortress Press). Her research and writing focus on the
role of preaching in shaping American culture and on the history of women in the American
church.
Faith in Our Music:
Many Voices, Diverse Chords, Common Hopes
September 23-25, 2014
TUESDAY, September 23
11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. – Pick up your conference packet and nametag at Rose Reception
Hall, Early Center, 1106 Westwood Avenue, Richmond, VA 23227
1:30 p.m.
1:45 p.m.
2:15 p.m.
Welcome – Brian Blount
Hymn Sing - Doug Brown
Break
2:30 p.m.
Workshops:
Praise the Lord with the Sound of . . . Children: Music with Children of All Ages –
Beverly Bailey
Helping God’s People to Find Their Voice – John Bell
Groove, Sway, Swing . . . and the “Worship Music” Thing – Warren Cooper
Music with the World – Amanda Powell
The Art of Accompanying: Music as a Resource for Pastoral Care– Carol
Schweitzer
Ebony and Ivory: Keys to Harmony Between Pastor and Minister of Music –
Charlie Summers and Suzanne Riehl
4:30 p.m.
5 p.m.
Break
Dinner
7 p.m.
Worship
In the African-American tradition – Warren Cooper
WEDNESDAY, September 24
9 a.m.
10 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
11:45 a.m.
12:45
Tension in the Chords: Music, Word, and Sacrament
(Doug Brown, Beverly Zink-Sawyer, Paul Galbreath – in conversation)
Break
Reflections
Community Worship with Communion
From the Iona Community – John Bell
Lunch
2:30 p.m.
Workshops:
Praise the Lord with the Sound of . . . Children: Music with Children of All Ages –
Beverly Bailey
Helping God’s People to Find Their Voice – John Bell
Groove, Sway, Swing . . . and the “Worship Music” Thing – Warren Cooper
Music with the World – Amanda Powell
The Art of Accompanying: Music as a Resource for Pastoral Care– Carol
Schweitzer
Ebony and Ivory: Keys to Harmony Between Pastor and Minister of Music –
Charlie Summers and Suzanne Riehl
4:30 p.m.
5 p.m.
Break
Dinner
7 p.m.
Worship
From many cultures – Amanda Powell
THURSDAY , September 25, 2014
9 a.m.
The Future of Music in Worship
(Warren Cooper, Amanda Powell, and John Bell)
10:30 a.m.
Closing Worship
FAITH IN OUR MUSIC: MANY VOICES, DIVERSE CHORDS, COMMON HOPES
September 23-25, 2014
FEES: $195 for the first two registrants from one church ($150 if registration is received by July 31);
$125 for additional registrants from the same church. Includes dinner on Tuesday and Wednesday,
lunch on Wednesday, and breakfast on Thursday.
HOUSING: On-campus housing is now full. Hotel accommodations are available at SpringHill Suites,
9701 Brook Road, Richmond, VA 23059 at a rate of $79/night. To reserve your hotel room, click here.
To Register On-line: click here.
To Mail or Fax Registration: Print and complete this form. Mail to Leadership Institute, Union
Presbyterian Seminary, 3401 Brook Road, Richmond, VA 23227 or Fax to (804) 278-4360.
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