A weekend of singing, learning and participation featuring Californian author, composer, musician and pastor, Daniel Charles Damon and his wife Eileen Johnson is happening at Knox United Church this month.
Sing a New Song will feature Damon and Johnson teaching participants Damon's own contemporary hymns and songs, that focus on social justice, praising the Creator, and also ecology, said director of music ministries at Knox, Alan Whitmore.
“His lyrics, when I say contemporary, they speak to us about issues that are current,” he said, giving an example of a song about social justice and how children need to be respected, rather than “seen and not heard.”
“And he does that about ecology, that our trees are crying out to us, that our oceans are crying out to us and we have to start to listen,” he said.
Johnson is a church musician, workshop leader and worship facilitator, and she is known for building and improving choirs.
A workshop will happen Saturday, Feb. 26 that will be of special interest to clergy, worship leaders, choir directors, music teams, organists/pianists and singers, but is also open to the public. Here ideas will be shared about new songs and hymns as well as worship planning among other topics.
On Sunday, Damon and Johnson will lead in worship, followed by a rehearsal and then a massed choir concert featuring the couple as soloists.
The deadline to register for the workshops or the massed choir is Monday, Feb. 21. The concert on Sunday, Feb. 27 is at 7 p.m. and tickets are $15 and are available at the door.
Knox United Church is located at 345 Pym St. in Parksville. For more information call the Knox Church Office at 250-248-3927.