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2007-02-06 issue:

Music, worship program celebrates 20 years

by Laurelville Mennonite Church Center

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MT. PLEASANT, Pa.—More than 200 people gathered Jan. 5-7 to celebrate the 20th annual Music and Worship Leaders retreat at Laurelville Mennonite Church Center, Mt. Pleasant. Ysaye Maria Barnwell, composer, teacher and performer in the renowned music ensemble Sweet Honey in the Rock, led participants in spirituals and gospel music from the African American tradition.

“Gospel music did not begin until the 20th century,” said Barnwell. While influenced by spirituals, gospel music is a unique musical form. Spirituals are an expression of a community rooted in African religious tradition, while “gospel music is about Jesus.” According to Barnwell, spirituals were reclaimed during the Civil Rights movement.

Pastor Leonard Dow of Oxford Circle Mennonite Church in Philadelphia, spoke to participants on the importance of church unity and multicultural worship. Dow’s congregation is a racially and ethnically diverse congregation.

Participants, Laurelville staff and program leadership team members honored Ken Nafziger for his 20 years of service to the Mennonite church through the Music and Worship Leaders program.

Workshops on music, drama, multicultural worship and 20-year memories were led by Marilyn Houser Hamm and Michael Bishop, Jeff Raught, Leonard Dow and Anne Hess, and Nafziger and Marlene Kropf, respectively.

Rosemary Bray McNatt, a preacher from New York City, will be the featured guest for the 2008 program, focusing on preaching through music and worship to be held Jan. 4-6, 2008.