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THE REV. F. RICHARD GARLAND WRITES NEW HYMN

The Rev. F.  Richard Garland, a retired UMC minister and member of our church, has written a new Advent hymn, A Start Shone Bright, which has been published.

A STAR SHONE BRIGHT
An Advent hymn by F. Richard Garland
http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=20980&loc_id=17,823
 
This new Advent hymn is set to the tune O WALY WALY, known as GIFT OF LOVE in The United Methodist Hymnal. Mr. Garland may be contacted by email at mailto:revhiker@aol.com .

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Sweet Homewood, Alabama Sounds Inspire Special Worship at NKUMC

Published June 6, 2005

[Scroll down for photos after story -- allow photos to load on slower connections]

In the latest stop on its New England tour, the Cross & Flame Choir, a nationally renowned United Methodist student church choir from Alabama, rocked our church in a special worship performance at North Kingstown United Methodist Church Monday June 6^th.

The 75-member choir is made up of students from grades 7 through 12 from Trinity United Methodist Church in Homewood, Alabama, just south of Birmingham. Homewood, Alabama was just selected by the American Music conference as one of the top 100 communities in America for music education. The choir, under the direction of R. Scott Robertson, was also accompanied by a five piece band made up of members of the choir.

Performing traditional and contemporary sacred music, the choir delighted an audience of children, youth and adults of all ages. The musical group got off to a rousing start, cleverly using trash cans as drums. By the end of the night, many in the traditionally more sedate New England congregation were standing, swaying and clapping to a rockin' blend of contemporary Christian music. In between, the group also offered its own sweet rendition of the classic hymn Amazing Grace and a beautiful performance of Turn, Turn, Turn. The choir's performance was also highlighted by some lovely solo numbers.

Praise Him with Loud Clanging (photo above) - Even trash cans can become musical instruments when praising the Lord

Traveling in two large buses, Director Robertson said the group was behind schedule when it arrived in North Kingstown late in the afternoon after experiencing Boston traffic which he labeled much tougher than Birmingham, Alabama. Since they didn't have time to set up the group's own sound system which they carry with them, they quickly improvised and used the church's system. It didn't affect the beauty of their voices.   

Each year this talented choir tours for a week to ten days. This year the group traveled to New England for several appearances including the one night performance at North Kingstown UMC. The North Kingstown appearance followed the group’s singing of the national anthem at a World Champion Boston Red Sox game at Fenway Park on Saturday. Director Scott Robertson told the NKUMC audience that standing on the infield at Fenway Park was one of the greatest thrills the group has ever had. He also related that performing at a judicial detention center for youth in Massachusetts was an opportunity to spread God's Word through music. The group will do some sight-seeing in Boston tomorrow (Tuesday June 7) that includes a ride in the Duck Boats. Later in the week, they move on to Washington, DC to appear at a Washington Nationals baseball game and take in the Smithsonian. By next Sunday, they'll back at Trinity UMC and performing for the home folks again.

In years past the choir has toured from coast to coast and into Canada. In June of 2002 the choir toured into Tennessee,  in 2003 to Colorado, in 2004 to Texas.

The Cross & Flame Youth Choir is one of the many exciting musical organizations supported by the large congregation of Trinity UMC, in Homewood, Alabama. The choir is open to youth from grades 7 to 12 and sings two to three times each month in worship. They rehearse weekly and sing a mix of contemporary and traditional church music. They are accompanied on the piano by Brandon Robertson, Pianist and Assistant Principal Accompanist.

The Cross & Flame Band also accompanies the choir for its contemporary sound. Director, R. Scott Robertson has years of experience with youth choirs and touring with youth choirs. The choir is one of several choirs at Trinity United Methodist Church where the music department has over 500 children, youth, adults and seniors in its program. Trinity UMC is currently building a new home for its music department which will feature a rehearsal hall, offices, music library and ensemble rehearsal room.

Thanks and God Speed to our new friends in the Cross and Flame Choir!

(Photo at left, Pastor Beverly Stenmark thanks Scott Robertson and the Choir for coming to NKUMC and then offers a closing prayer)

	Director R. Scott Robertson leads the Cross & Flame Choir at NKUMC performance.
Scott tells the NKUMC audience about the choir's travel experiences during a break between musical numbers.	Glorifying the Lord and having a good time doing it.
	The choir also features its own band.