By: Ken Boone I have to admit, I don't attend church services much these days. Celia and I have played in a number of churches, large and small until minor health problems sidelined us. We're now feeling well and looking forward to packing up the car with gear to take our ministry back on the road. Some basic research led to the conclusion that one in four people who grow up in church, leave that church by their late teens or early twenties. While that was surprising, I was curious to find out how many of the people who stays in church remains at the church they grew up in. I couldn't find an answer to that question. Our "back of the envelope" research revealed to Celia and me that a lot of smaller churches are filled with family members, sometimes going back 4 generations! Again, not so clear when it comes to the larger congregations. Last week, the Facebook family I'm a part of received some tragic news. Everyl and Ronnie past away. They were two of our most beloved family members. Also, neither one of them still attended the church we grew up in. In fact, very few of us still live in New York State! But the announcement went out and we all responded. We offered condolences and reminisced about places we hadn't been to in decades. But that didn't matter. What does this mean? It means that for all the issues we have with social media in general and Facebook in particular, these platforms still have tremendous value! This looks like a good topic for insightful discussion. Let's hear from you... But wait... there's more!
0 Comments
By: Lawrence Sumpter (Guest Blogger) On September 1, 2019 we loss a legend! A gifted musician of grace and distinction, Everyl Chandler-Gibson was the organist for the Ephesus SDA Church (Harlem, NY) from the tender age of 16 and holding that post for over 60 years. When she sat down to play the pipes the instrument would literally sing and every key struck would bring out her passion for music. Everyl played with a style all her own. The large room would come alive and the Ephesians would pat their feet and hum to the familiar tunes, from Bach and Handel, to Spirituals, Gospel and Hymns, all on the pipes. Two of the churches favorites was Hallelujah, from Christ on the Mount of Olives and Watch Ye Saints the congregation would literally come to great crescendo, applauding and saying Amen! She was also blessed with a fabulous sense of humor. Everyl Gibson could hold a full conversation with you and not miss a note as she'd played. Another one of her trademarks she was known for throughout the New York area was her ability to play in stiletto heels and not miss a pedal. There were many talented musicians at the Ephesus SDA Church during that era, but there was only one Everyl. She had the touch for the pipes. Not only was she loved at her home church, many other congregations throughout the New York Metropolitan Area had the opportunity to experience her gift. During her life she was the organist for various churches in this vast market. Everyl was a student of distinction at Julliard School of Music which resulted in her being chosen to accompany several budding artists. Among them were Leontyne Price, Andrew Frierson, Rawn Spearman and Joyce Bryant. She earned both her Bachelor Master of Science in Music from NYU. She worked for the New York Board of Education. At the time of her retirement, she was overseeing the music curriculum. Everyl Chandler-Gibson was a woman of class and a brilliant organ performer rendering classical, gospel and spirituals on the pipes. I have recognize Mrs. Gibson every year for Black History month. A true legend in her own rights with a warm spirit who gave back to many of us around Ephesus SDA Church. She was also known as a devoted mother to her daughter, Melody, and a doting grandmother to three grandchildren. The link below is Mrs. Gibson playing the Holy City. Rest In Peace Sis. Gibson and we'll see you in the morning faithful servant of God. In A Little While We're Going Home. Please keep Sis. Gibson family in prayer: WATCH EVERYL CHANDLER-GIBSON (Click YouTube link below): About the Author:By: Ken Boone I started my weekly blog posts in late February 2019. I decided to name it “From Grievance to Gratitude,” which is what I eventually named my weekly podcasts. Not knowing if I would have enough content for a years’ worth of blog posts and podcasts, I started writing anyway. Every week, with the help of my wife, Celia, I met my deadline with a blog post that was clever, revealing, and honest, if I say so myself. I’d never worked with an editor and was surprised that I wasn’t territorial when it came my writing. Those who read it seemed to like it. Initially, the only problem I had was with the title. It seemed that at first draft, there were typically three paragraphs of grievances for every paragraph of gratitude. Things seemed to reach a point of great frustration until about 4 months into the blog posting. I started getting well. I noticed that I had fewer negative things to write about than when I first started writing. I covered everything from my childhood, to my various jobs, to my nearly 30 years as a parent. Just about every blog post started with the setup, in which I shared a perceived slight of some kind. Just as frequently, I’d hit a point in the story when realize that I may have contributed to my woes. Even when I wasn’t at fault, I found a life lesson buried somewhere in the blog. Now, we are 6 months into this thing and I’m still enjoying myself. I love it when friends tell me how much they enjoy my writing style. I especially like it when one of the stories takes them back to a time of great joy in their youth. Last week, Celia, our friend Becky Oliver and I created a Facebook group page. Among our initial invitees are several very good writers, musicians, and public speakers. The administrators and moderators of this page invite you to submit a guest blog post, 600 – 1000 words in length. We are open to varied topics, as long as they are positive or inspiring. As the group grows, I’ll be asking for some submissions to our podcast catalog, and ultimately, our music library. So, stay tuned and thanks for joining us! But wait... there's more!
|
About the AuthorAs owner of the Descant Music & Media Group, Ken is a creator and producer of several podcast shows. He is also a music producer, as well as a writer and an accountant for small businesses and nonprofits. Archives
June 2020
Categories |