Letter from Katie • December 17, 2025
The Hour of Lauds: Visitation by Jan Richardson
Dear Holy Comforter,
Since this week invites us to enter more deeply into the joy of the Lord, I wanted to reflect in this letter on singing—and how it opens our hearts to joy. But I also wanted to talk about singing because in the coming months we'll have an a Acapella Sunday (that means singing without instruments) every 4-6 weeks to give our lead parish musicians, Anna Yong and Joel Chan, a chance to rest and to remind us that worship is the work of the church and not just a few gifted individuals.
I grew up in a church that didn't use instruments in its worship because they placed a high value on congregational participation (doesn't that sound a lot like Holy Comforter?). They also wanted people to focus on the words they are singing without distraction and to promote humility and interdependence by making everyone's voice essential. Plus, when you learn how to sing without instruments, you can sing anywhere. How often do you find yourself humming a song you heard in church or recalling a lyric that was significant to you? And imagine what it's like when you have learned to sing in four-part harmony, as I did. You can lift your voice to God anywhere, whether you are alone or gathered with one or two others.
Don't hear me wrong, I am so grateful for our musicians–the ways they lead us so beautifully into worship, select just the right songs to pair with the season and readings, the way they widen our vision of the church by bringing us songs from other traditions—but there is something about singing that unlocks another way of being with God and other believers. I encourage you to give it a try in the shower this week :) Or perhaps especially focus on the words of the many familiar carols that we'll be singing together in the coming days.
Here are some directions on singing from the Anglican pastor, John Wesley that I really appreciate.
Directions for Singing. That this part of Divine Worship may be the more acceptable to God, as well as the more profitable to yourself and others, be careful to observe the following directions.
I. Learn these Tunes before you learn any others; afterwards learn as many as you please.
II. Sing All. See that you join with the congregation as frequently as you can. Let
not a slight degree of weakness or weariness hinder you. If it is a cross to you, take it up and you will find a blessing.
III. Sing lustily and with good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half dead, or half asleep; but lift up your voice with strength. Be no more afraid of your voice now, nor more ashamed of its being heard, than when you sung the songs of Satan.
IV. Sing modestly. Do not bawl, so as to be heard above or distinct from the rest
of the congregation, that you may not destroy the harmony; but strive to unite your voices together, so as to make one clear melodious sound.
V. Sing in Time: whatever time is sung, be sure to keep with it. Do not run before nor stay behind it; but attend closely to the leading voices, and move therewith as exactly as you can. And take care you sing not too slow. This drawling way naturally steals on all who are lazy; and it is high time to drive it out from among us, and sing all our tunes just as quick as we did at first.
VI. Above all sing spiritually. Have an eye to God in every word you sing. Aim at pleasing him more than yourself, or any other creature. In order to this attend strictly to the sense of what you sing, and see that your Heart is not carried away with the sound, but offered to God continually; so shall your singing be such as the Lord will approve of here, and reward when he cometh in the clouds of heaven.
And as I know that many of you have been watching and waiting for the results of the ecclesiastical trial of Bishop Stewart Ruch, I want to note that the verdict was released yesterday. You can read more here. I invite you to continue praying for all the people of our Province whose lives are closely intertwined with this trial and who are wrestling with a range of emotions. May Lord have mercy upon us all.
Please reach out if you want to talk and pray about this or anything else.
With much affection,
Katie
