We Believe: Faith, Community, and the Holy Act of Singing

Sponsored by C. Michael Hawn, FHS

This sectional addresses all aspects of this year’s conference theme. The primary question I will address is, how does performance studies inform the ways we live out our baptismal vocation through congregational music to advocate for justice? Baptism will be the aspect of faith that helps center this conversation. Baptism reminds us who God is calling us to be throughout our life. Our baptismal vows give us an identity and a vocation, that when lived out, calls us to be advocates for justice. The use of performance studies allows us to examine how we perform congregational music, through the lens of our baptismal vocation, to create pathways to advocate for ethics and justice in solidarity with those in the community. We cannot be advocates for justice without being in conversation with our community. Congregational music is a formative, community activity. An expanded understanding of congregational music incorporates a multitude of ways to be an active participant, recognizes the different actions performing encompasses, and explores the many ways that participation in worship makes meaning. What music should we be singing to ensure it aligns with our mission, promotes justice, and expresses love to God and our neighbors? This question will be explored in a way that provides practical information for performing congregational song and singing specific examples. The holy act of singing unites communities together in a unique way to advocate for justice because of the vocation received through the sacrament of baptism.