Mondays @ 6:30 p.m.
We all need something to brighten our days. Tune in to a Live Stream from Pastor Aleese and various guest artists throughout these weeks ahead.
Monday, April 6 | This week, you hear from Pastor Aleese, as she offers a few pieces on her harp. She was contacted by the synod office earlier last week to record a piece to be shared with synod clergy. Having to practice up one piece, and having to ask someone to help record, she figured it would be a good time to record more than one piece and share it with others. Consider this compilation an opportunity to pause, reflect, and pray as we begin our Holy Week journey.
Monday, March 30 | This week, we have the privilege of hearing from Ps. Aleese and one of her harp students, Ella. This is a piece that Ella has been relentlessly working on for quite some time. At one of her recent lessons, she mentioned to Ps. Aleese that she wanted to make a duet out of it by adding a violin part. Ps. Aleese was open to the challenge, and with a little improvisation work, the two were able to arrange this piece.
For any musicians out there, whether you play, sing, or listen, you know that music is more than just “music.” It becomes a part of you, and becomes something akin to prayer. It is out of that spirit of “prayer” that this piece is shared with you today. We are both amateurs, and the recording quality isn’t great. But, the point of it all is that this resembles the hearts of two women coming together to form something that goes beyond words.
I invite you to listen, and allow yourself to mentally, physically. and spiritually enter into a time of prayer. Peace be yours, dear Shepherds
Monday, March 23 | This week, we have the privilege from Emily Wonder. Emily lives in metro Chicago and is studying to be an occupational therapist. The piece she offers us today is “Letting Go,” an original composition. Here’s a brief word from Emily:
“During this time of spinning thoughts and unanswered questions, I hope this piece titled “Letting Go” might offer you a moment to pause.
I have a feeling that a lot of us feel weighed down right now. Fear is rampant. Unknowns are constant. May this piece be a reminder that you are allowed to let go. You are allowed to breathe and just be in this moment. You are allowed to listen to hope, even when a lot of other things seem louder. May it be a reminder that, while so much is being cancelled, ‘Hope will not be cancelled.’ —Jamie Tworkowski
Someday soon we will be able to hug one another again. And we will not take that embrace for granted. In the waiting, we need music. We need art. We need to notice the birds singing outside our windows. We need patience and compassion for and from one another. Gentleness. Give yourself and others gentleness. We are all just doing the best we can.
As you listen, I hope you can catch a moment of peace. I hope you can bring that peace with you into all of the unknowns. I hope you know that you are allowed to let go. Please—be gentle with yourself.
Take good care of yourselves. We are going to be okay.”