The word rest has several definitions.
At times, it provides a quantity: the rest of the meatloaf. Rest
can also mean a time of renewal when we, as people, take time to refresh
our minds and bodies. Here in our beautiful state of Maine, the
earth is just now waking from a time of rest. The snow has melted
and the trees have sprouted lovely flowers and leaves. Dormancy
is over. Music also has rests. In music, a rest is a time of silence.
It is the opposite of sound, yet equally as important. It provides
contrast and energy creating expectations for the listener. A
famous example of rest in music is in the opening moments of Beethoven’s
Fifth Symphony. Beethoven wrote a series of four large, loud chords
followed by silence. He repeats this pattern, this time followed
by a longer period of silence. It is only then that the main body
of the song presents itself. The listener has been brought into
the music through the opening contrast of sound and silence.
The arrival of summer brings
with it a time of rest for our church musicians. The Senior Choir
and Memorial Handbell Choir will be taking a break during the summer
to rest and renew. Please be in prayer that this time will be
a time of rejuvenation for the people dedicated to these ensembles,
that during their time of silence, they will find excitement, peace
and joy. Also please continue in prayer as to your role in music
ministry. So many of you have approached me this year about strong
desires to participate in the Senior Choir. Now is the time for
you to rest and renew yourself, so that as fall approaches, you might
be able to adjust your schedules to join our musical family.
This time of rest and renewal
will not be a time of silence for you, as a parishioner at First Congregational
Church. Our organist, Doug Eaton, together with Organist Emeritus,
Marilyn Paige, is busy planning special music for each Sunday this summer.
Spots are filling up quickly, but I would like to encourage you to lend
your music to the church this summer. Please consider call the
church and offering to provide special music for one Sunday this summer.
God Bless you this summer.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Bethany Kirkpatrick
Director of Music
