Shalom, musicians of peace!
Shalom, musicians of Peace JR In many South African houses of past you would have
found a rather kitch, but very popular plaque with the words: What is a house without a father? It’s indeed not kitch to ask the question: What is Chung-dong EM without its Shalom Choir and Trio? David the Psalmist tells us to "Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing ... Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise." (Psalm 100:1) If we had to write a mission statement for choirs and chanters, and indeed the entire people of God gathered in prayer, it seems to me that this section from Psalm 100 fits the bill. It speaks in terms of invitation, of participation, of rejoicing and praising, and doing so with the right attitude. These are some of the things I want to focus on this evening. St. Theophan the Recluse, the great 19th century Russian monastic and bishop said of Church music: "The purpose of Church songs is precisely to make the spark of grace that is hidden with us burn brighter and with greater warmth. This spark is given by the sacraments. Psalms, hymns, and spiritual odes are introduced to fan the spark and transform it into flame..." St. Theophan makes it quite clear that church music is meant to increase the grace of God in each one of us. That grace has been put there through the sacraments and it is through music that the "spark of grace" is made to burn more brightly. This grace is not meant to be static, hidden away and unused, nor is it meant to be left un-experienced. Observing and listening to Shalom Choir, I must presume that St. Theophan would have been thrilled and ecstatic by their quality and performance. Sunday after Sunday, they “make the spark of grace that is hidden in us burn brighter and with greater warmth.” Thank you to Hee-Youn Yoon, Shalom’s conductor and choir master as well as everyone in this fine group. With accompanist Bo-Kyung Seong and the Shalom Trio, Su-Jin Lim (violin) and Hye –Rim Jung (cello), this talented and spirited group is indeed one of the greatest assets of the English Ministry. We are sad to say good-bye to pianist Bo-Kyung Seong, but very glad to welcome our new accompanist Beom-Jae Lee who stunned us with his rendition of old and new hymns with on Sunday, May 30. Praise God for our Choir and Trio of peace: Shalom. | 
We are sad to say good-bye to pianist Bo-Kyung Seong, but very glad to welcome our new accompanist Beom-Jae Lee who stunned us with his rendition of old and new hymns with on Sunday, May 30.  Hee-Young Yoon, Shalom Conductor |
