This Easter, a group of Christian music students from across the UK spent a week together at 'The Mill', generously hosted by Ruth and Richard Cunningham (former Director of UCCF). As we sat in the garden on the first afternoon, Tom Chevis (Music Network Co-ordinator) welcomed us and introduced the theme for the week: joy. Reading from 2 Corinthians 1:24, Tom reminded us why the Music Network exists - to see music students increasingly delight and rejoice in our Saviour Jesus. And throughout the Spring Gathering we did indeed delight and rejoice in Jesus!
Much in common
It was refreshing to be in a space where we shared so much in common, not only as musicians, but also as brothers and sisters in Christ. Whether after watching a thought-provoking film together, unpacking Bible teaching in small-groups or over the dinner table, there was lots of time for honest conversations and prayers. Mealtimes, games, and (last but not least) the talent show also helped build community. A whole range of talents were on display at the talent show: circular-breathing-bubble-blowing, birdsong detection, and a jazz trio rendition of Autumn Leaves to name but a few! It was a delight to hear people’s God-given musical gifts in this setting as well as throughout the week, the music practice spreading through the Mill like a pleasing aroma! I arrived knowing nobody and left feeling privileged to have made friends and spent a Jesus-centred week together.
Timely teaching
Richard Cunningham’s Bible teaching on John 15-17 was timely in the run-up to Easter weekend. I was struck by Jesus’s desire for the unity of believers in his final prayers. Bringing our voices together in song as Christians from music colleges, universities, and churches across the country felt like a beautiful and tangible expression of this unity! Besides our daily Psalm-singing (in four-part harmony), an overall highlight for me was singing Andrew Peterson's ‘Is He Worthy?’ together before parting ways on the final afternoon, a little foretaste of the full joy awaiting us.
I also loved the teaching series on joy, journeying through the biblical narrative. It’s hard to sum up all that we considered together, but I’ll share a few encouragements:
- In his talk on 'Joy in Creation', Tom helpfully shared how the unnecessary abundance of creation points us to the kindness of the God who gave it.
- Barny Kimberley (drummer and CU staff worker (CUSW) for the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester) shared a challenging image in a moving session on 'Joy in Tribulation' - just like the moon is always round even when we only see a little crescent, God is always good. And so we can join David in Psalm 13, clinging to God’s goodness in suffering: ‘I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me’.
- Through Zephaniah 3, one of my favourite passages, flautist Becky Chevis shared on 'Joy in Salvation' - how God has taken away the punishment of our sins, cleared away our enemies, and is in our midst, rejoicing over us with singing!
- Niamh Sanders (violist and CUSW for the four London music colleges) helped us fix our minds on the exciting future kept in heaven for us: one day we will sing a new song praising our King for His holiness, splendour, and worthiness - this is (inexpressible) 'Joy in Anticipation.'
I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.
We were blessed with a week of sunshine (a welcome surprise after the forecast rain!) which meant we could dwell upon these truths in the wonderful warmth of the Cotswold sun. In our free time we enjoyed playing croquet in the garden, scouting out local farm shops, and even putting our OS map skills to the test. As we spent time in God’s good and beautiful creation, the great hymn ‘How Great Thou Art’ came to mind.
Practical focus
I valued the practical focus on what it looks to serve God as musicians: each morning, someone shared a little about music and mission both locally and further afield. Moreover there was a great selection of seminar topics, from dealing with ego and ambition, to expectations for professional music life, to what music is and isn’t permissible, which made it difficult to decide which to attend! Thankfully some post-seminar conversations (accompanied by delicious cake and coffee) meant that we soon got a little taste of each of these topics. I found Tom’s seminar on 'Witnessing to Musician Friends' and Niamh’s on 'Discerning Calling' thought-provoking and inspiring as I consider creative ways to both share my faith through music and be a blessing in the places to which the Lord has called me.
The joy of the Lord is our strength
I left the Spring Gathering with a renewed desire to prayerfully consider how to cultivate well the patch of the garden in which the Lord has placed me. Whilst that task is daunting, our time together helped me see afresh that we have all that we need in God’s Word and that 'the joy of the Lord is [our] strength' (Nehemiah 8:10). And so as I sat on the airport floor waiting for a delayed flight home at the end of the week, I realised I had great cause to rejoice and thanked God that we could all be in the same patch of the garden for a few days and be blessed by the Cunninghams’ inspiring hospitality. My prayer is that we will each continue to delight and rejoice in our Saviour Jesus following the rejuvenating and nourishing rhythms of the Spring Gathering!
...the joy of the Lord is your strength.
