virtual hallelujahs: singing and making community online

April 23, 2020 by Paul Vasile in Congregational Song, Church, Leadership, Pandemic

Earlier this month, I was honored to facilitate one of Eden Theological Seminary’s new theological e-forums, which invite faculty to reflect on resources from their academic areas in the context of the COVID 19 pandemic.

It was rich, wide-ranging conversation about music making and community building and I was especially grateful to be joined by talented, insightful colleagues like Dr. Tony McNeil and Sarah Bereza, who helped offer a broader perspective on the gifts and challenges we're seeing.

singing as a holy act

May 08, 2019 by Paul Vasile in Congregational Song, Leadership, Church

I wonder what would it look like to imagine worship as a kind of holy rehearsal space. What if singing together is a place we are put back together, where we remember, re-discover and renew what we believe?

What if this congregation is a choir: a community of learning where we have the opportunity to grow into new experiences, trusting there is no success or failure but a deep pool of grace that holds us as we try and try again?

What might it look like to put to practice this way of love through our voices, through the tunes and rhythms we share in song?

the way of love: worship

April 17, 2019 by Paul Vasile in Worship, Church, Congregational Song

I'm grateful to The Rev. Hillary Raining for including me and Music that Makes Community in the Way of Love podcast focused on worship.

It's Holy Week, and time is of the essence, but take a listen when you have a moment and reflect with us on the formative power of worship, especially singing!

There is lots more to listen to at The Hive, an online spiritual community buzzing with rich material to sustain your life of faith.

claiming queerness

October 11, 2018 by Paul Vasile in Church, LGBTQ, transition, Social Justice

I came out as gay in my early 20’s. It was a process, a slow revealing of life-giving truth. I had so many loving people who walked with me. I wouldn’t be who I am without that cloud of witnesses, many still alive but several older, wiser ones have passed on.

Over the past years there’s been another slow revelation as I’ve been claiming the word queer. On good days I realize I don’t fit easily into any box and cherish it; on harder days it can be a bit lonely. But the reality is I’m queer and am ready to embrace that in a more public, intentional way.