o Program Information: Monday, July 12 – Thursday, July 15, 2010 Table of Contents (click links below to jump to topic, or scroll down) Keynotes Forums Focus Worship Organ Recitals Just for Fun Sing Exhibits Choral Reading Pre-Gathering Post-Gathering College Students

Keynotes: Biblical Faith, Critical Doubt and Post-Critical Faith – Dr. Ted Peters As we listen to the discordant notes of globalization contrasted with pluralism, postmodernism pitted against tradition, and atheism attacking religion, we yearn once again for harmony. Can a faith rooted in Christ crucified, risen, and returning strike the first notes of harmony? Together we will explore the possible answer of “yes” to this question. The Challenge of Evangelical Atheism – Dr. Ted Peters We each experience many difficulties of Christian belief today in the face of the new atheism. But we are reminded of the "real presence" of Christ in our worship. This keynote address will continue to stress that faith demonstrated as trusting God provides the compass that orients us toward a daily living that is non-anxious, flexible, robust, appreciative, creative, and generous. Momentum and Emmanuel: Life is Changing and God is With Us – Sally Morgenthaler Some say that change is the only thing we can count on. As followers of Jesus, we know better. As change presses us in new directions, we turn to Emmanuel, the God-with-us, and follow in his footsteps. What does Incarnation mean when former practices no longer tell the Story to new generations? How does Incarnation help us faithfully reframe worship for a new day? Using the Screen as Art – Sally Morgenthaler For hundreds of years, worshipers have "read" the Story of God in stained glass. Now, we have the opportunity to tell the Story digitally. How can we tell it beautifully, with the same care and attention to the biblical text, as the artisans of old? How can we use the screen liturgically, to invoke and enhance God-encounter, not just educationally? And how can we pair it with other liturgical elements, as part of the whole tapestry of worship and not a thoughtless distraction? "I Lift Up My Eyes”: Organ Music based on Psalms – Dr. Gregory Peterson A recital of organ works both old and new based on or inspired by psalms including settings of some hymn tunes commonly associated with psalm texts. A Church Music Curriculum for the 21st Century – Dr. Gregory Peterson This presentation will survey a variety of approaches to the current teaching of church music, both within and outside of the Lutheran college curricula. We will address the question of what it is that is most central in the vocational development of church musicians studying in college today with significant time for questions and answers. Forums: # 1 (topic TBA) – all three keynoters Topic will be selected at the Gathering. # 2 (topic TBA) – all three keynoters Topic will be selected at the Gathering. Worship Band: Beyond Worship Labels – Helen Thoenes, Kim Cramer, Erik Floan and Worship Band Instrumentalists In this forum, participants will gain insight about how to step beyond the commonly used labels that describe worship, into a place of designing and implementing more culturally relevant worship. Forum leaders will use a variety of worship arts to provide concrete examples of how to facilitate this modern approach to Lutheran worship. Focus: (choose one from each pair) A. Nurturing Faith with Children & Youth – Carole Lea Arenson, Helen Thoenes and Erik Whitehill The goal of an excellent children’s or youth choir is more than merely learning “an anthem”. This will be a discussion on the numerous ways we can help nurture children’s faith in God both in the rehearsal room and during the Sunday worship service in the sanctuary. B. Handbell Demonstration and Reading Session – Gerri Luethi and local ringers Explore repertoire for varied combinations of ringers. Enjoy bells as the ensemble expands to its full capacity with new and exciting literature. A. How to Turn a Hymn into an Anthem – Thomas Keesecker and Dr. Bradley Ellingboe Need a good “Blizzard Anthem”? Did your pastor call an audible? No Problem! In this session suggestions will be made regarding alternative accompaniments and harmonization, how to create a descant on the spot and generally how to make something from the hymnal into an anthem the congregation will love and remember. B. Personal Faith: “Finding True North” - Katie Adelman and Valerie Hess How do we who lead others in worship maintain our own sense of worship? How do we, who point the way to Christ, not lose that way ourselves? In this forum, we will look at soul-care strategies for church leaders through presentation and dialogue. A. "What do I pull?" Practical tips for Creative Hymn Registration – Dr. Gregory Peterson This session will address how to get the most out of an organ, bringing more creativity and support to the assembly song. There will be an emphasis on both non-traditional hymnody as well as more familiar tunes. Published resources will also be highlighted. B. Fostering Faith with Church Choirs – Dr. Timothy Snyder and Jerry Gunderson The choral experience can be a powerful tool for faith formation. Join us for a discussion of strategies choral leaders can use to help open our singers' hearts, minds and voices to the work of the Spirit through our ministry of song. A. Mentors and Volunteers as Faith Builders – Norma Aamodt-Nelson and Carole Lea Arenson Music ministry is greatly enriched when a director intentionally shares the leadership responsibility for a choir, music ensemble or a project with volunteers. Enabling mentors and volunteers in this way can help them become “Faith Builders”. The benefits to this style of ministry are endless. Join us for a discussion on how individuals impact other individuals under the umbrella of “Music Ministry”. B. Faith in the Canadian Landscape – Dr. Joy Berg and Dr. Rev. Larry Kochendorfer Canadian hymnody has been continually created since the early 1800s. Can we differentiate between Canadian and American hymnody? Is faith expressed in a different way in the Canadian voice? Come - sing through many examples of Canadian hymnody and discover! A. Choral Reading: "Stuff that Works" – Jerry Gunderson This reading session will feature an eclectic array of excellent choral anthems from a variety of publishers. Repertoire will span the entire church year, and will include both "tried and true" and "brand new" choral gems. B. Project Fund-raising 101: Understanding the Fundamentals– Ann Sponberg Peterson "It's such a worthy project and our congregation surely needs it . . . but how on earth could we raise that much money?" How many times have we been in this conversation? Project fund-raising is part art and part science -- come and learn how understanding the fundamentals will open your vision to what is possible and what is too much of a stretch. (And notice we didn't say "impossible!") Worship: Opening Worship – with Dr. Gregory Peterson as organist - includes Children’s Choir under direction of Carole Lea Arenson, two newly composed pieces for the Gathering: Gathering Hymn by Tom Keesecker and Children’s Anthem based on Psalm 121 by Erik Whitehill Morning Prayer (Tuesday and Wednesday) led by Dr. Timothy Snyder and Valerie Hess Evensong – includes Local Adult Choir under direction of Dr. Bradley Ellingboe plus an example of how to use the screen as a stained glass window Sending Worship – based on St. Thomas Mass, a Lutheran worship service with Finnish roots, with a message from Pastor Ron Roschke Noon Organ Recitals: "I Lift Up My Eyes: Organ Music Based on the Psalms" - Dr. Gregory Peterson A recital of organ works both old and new based on or inspired by psalms including settings of some hymn tunes commonly associated with psalm texts. "Father, Son and Holy Spirit" - Dr. Joyce Shupe Kull Join us for a musical exploration of the Trinity featuring hymn-tune improvisations and works by J.S. Bach and Duruflé. Sing: Alice Parker-Style “Sing” under the direction of Dr. Bradley Ellingboe This is a time set aside for the attendees to have a “Sing”. So often we are in charge of the proceedings and never get a chance to worship simply as a congregant. You will have the opportunity to raise your voice in song with others who really know how to sing! For the Fun of it: Two Social Events The Chautauqua Evening at the base of the magnificent Flat Irons in the Rocky Mountains: choice between concert or hike Breaks for conversation and food Time spent on “Pearl Street” filled with unique shops, restaurants, street entertainers, Boulder culture and more Exhibits: We are very pleased to announce the Gathering in Boulder will have a Music Store! Music Mart is working with us to supply music for the reading sessions, the Gathering Children and Adult Choir plus copies of organ, choral and instrumental music you will hear in worship, recitals, etc. They also will work with publishers who wish to have music sent to Boulder on consignment. They will arrive in Boulder with a van full of music which will be on display throughout the Gathering. Many of us already know The Music Mart located in Albuquerque, New Mexico and consider them one of the nations leading music dealers. We will be enriched by their presence in Boulder. Choral Reading: New Music Stuff That Works Pre-Gathering: Children, Music and the Church Focus on children’s music 4th-6th grade Children’s Choir, Carole Lea Arenson and Company College students serving as mentors Numerous Presenters Post-Gathering: Denver Organ Tour Focus on the pipe organ - Dr. Joyce Shupe Kull is our host College Students: Our dream is to have college students come join us in Boulder! We are inviting students majoring in music, church music or other fields who have been faithfully serving their home parish. We encourage congregations, synods and individuals to sponsor these students. The registration fee has been kept reasonably low. Please encourage your college students to serve as mentors for the children's choir in the Pre-Gathering. With this agreement, we are able to offer free bed and breakfast in Boulder host homes from Sunday night to Thursday morning (four nights). .

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