Choral Reading

 Choral reading is a tricky thing.

Some people read fast.

Some people read slow.

Some people read in between.

I always err on the side of slow when I’m leading my students,

But when reading with the congregation,

This movement takes us over and propels us forward in a rhythm created by the collective whole.

Some congregations are well-versed at this reading and members fall into rhythm naturally.

Other congregations aren’t as practiced with choral reading and struggle to stay together.

 

Each Sunday morning, my congregation’s worshippers read quite a bit.

We take an active part in worship rather than simply sitting back and listening.

As a result, we are a congregation that falls into rhythm naturally…

Except for one older woman.

 

For months now, while saying the morning’s creed, I’ve noticed a lone voice lagging behind.

In the space between phrases,  

I’ve noticed that voice trying to finish her phrase as the rest of the congregation has moved forward to the next.

It’s not on every phrase.

And it’s not distracting.

It’s just something I’ve noticed,

And I’ve wondered if others have noticed it as well.

 

And then something beautiful happened on Sunday morning.

At the end of the creed,

After the majority had finished making our declaration,

There was a collective pause,

During which one lone voice slowly but deliberately declared:

“…and the life everlasting. Amen.”

For the first time that I’d experienced,

We all waited for that voice,

That voice that persevered in its worship,

Despite being slow,

Despite standing out,

To make its declaration.

 

I cried.

 

In an age when more and more Americans are falling away from the church,

There is still a place for collective worship,

For standing with persons of all ages who

Give voice to a belief that sustains through time.

 

Oh God: Thank you for being the God of young and old, of fast and slow, of neuro-typical and neuro-divergent, and everything in between. You are the maker of heaven and earth, and you are still creating with us today. Thank you. And thank you for being with us in worship through the voices of stalwarts of faith. Amen.