We all need constant repair. Thinking about the house we live in is an easy reminder of that: appliances that need repair, replacing a window here and there. Those are easy repairs. How do we take are of ourselves to maintain who we are and how we can continue to grow? And when we can identify an injury or a source of trauma from our past, how do we proactively repair ourselves? We might call in a helper, maybe a carpenter or a therapist. Improvement is always possible.
Being focused on the moment, right now, can be restorative. Actually, in spite of being a musician, I seldom listen to music to feel a sense of renewal. I will, however, play my oboe. Playing takes my full concentration, takes me away from everything else. I have to make time to do this every day or the muscles I use will not function optimally and I will lose the ability to create any nuance. I warm up, obsessing about breathing, posture, the sound I am creating. Once warmed, my instrument and I work on something that needs improvement. This usually is finding a way to make a phrase worthy of a listener’s attention. After a practice session, my mind is clear and my body and mind are better than I was before.
Church services will be rich in beautiful music, and I hope it will give you some healing from the cares of your world.
November 3rd: Our hospice choir, Hand in Hand, will be singing: “I’ll Fly Away”, “23rd Psalm” by Bobbie McFerrin, and “Precious Lord” by Thomas A. Dorsey.
November 10th: This service will include music to help us move forward: “Keep on Moving Forward”, “There’s Honey in the Rock” and others.
November 24th: Our children will sing two songs assisted by Michael: “Under One Sky” and the “UU Children’s Blessing”. Our First Parish Choir will sing, “Flight Song” and “Keep Your Lamps”, assisted by Matt C.
Charlyn Bethell
Charlyn’s professional training has followed two paths: as a professional oboist and as a music teacher and conductor. As Music Director at First Parish, she joins these two paths of her musical life, conducting the choir, coordinating guest musicians, and performing on oboe.