Sunday made up for Saturday’s open schedule. By 8:45, choir members were slipping into the choir loft at St. John’s United Church of Christ (where we rehearsed and ate our meals) for some warm-up and practice prior to singing three songs during the morning worship service. This was a fine way to end our time with the welcoming people at St. John’s. We’re very grateful for this new connection in Dover and for the opportunity of singing in their fine building.
We bustled out of there at 10:00 and buzzed over to Crosspointe Mennonite Church where we sang a few more songs. This was a special opportunity since members of this congregation played a big role in feeding and lodging us over our long stay in Ohio. It was also special since we got to sing a song with a group from their church that has sung under Wendell at a recent mobile music camp. They fed us lunch (not quite the last meal yet) and then we wound our way over to nearby Walnut Creek Mennonite Church for the final concert of our tour. That church provided a rewarding acoustic for us all as well as sufficient seating for the audience. After singing in Dover’s large concert hall, it felt good to wrap up in a church where the choir could fill the building with stirring sound.
People lingered long in conversation. This is a significant portion of the goodness of tour. As things wound down, the choir along with a few added friends straggled back to Crosspointe where these kind people spread one final meal for us and gave us a wonderful place to have our farewell party. Rice and chicken bowls with grilled peaches and ice cream afterwards made a happy and comforting combination. Indoors and out, people talked, children played, and eventually said their goodbyes.
It’s been a rich two weeks. Many of us are headed back to our jobs, others to the rest of summer vacation before school begins, some to Poland for Hope Singers, and still others to summer college work. We wish you all the best in the remainder of your summer. May the Lord who gives and guides our song continue the seeking and healing and transforming of which this tour has been a part.
Kyler Martin
PR Manager