Weekly Reflection, Friday, November 19
By: Meriwether Roberts
It’s come to my attention that people either love ABBA or hate it. I fall into the category of ABBA lovers having discovered the band a few years ago. Their song “Thank you for the Music” tells of someone’s life positively changed by music and their ability to share it with the world. I owe thanks to St. Mary’s for giving me music as a way to worship and a place to share it. Through Vacation Bible School and Sunday School I am able to connect with our youngest members, but more importantly, I thank St. Mary’s for giving me a choir that has become like family
At four years old, I joined the Children’s Choir because I loved singing and performing. Who knows if I was any good when I started but I learned to sing. Beth Stephens should probably become a Saint due to her ability to transform energetic children into musicians. After a few years, I moved up to the Treble Choir and, there, developed musically and spiritually. My favorite time of year is Advent and Christmas due to the music. Nothing has been more special to me than singing the opening solo of “Once in Royal City”, during the pageant. It’s still one of my favorites.
I “graduated” from Treble Choir with my very own hymnal that I still use every Sunday. As a member of the Adult Choir, I have expanded my repertoire and now sing a wide range of pieces. I love the routine and the familiarity of our service music contrasted against the unique choral music. Thanks to Ryan I have begrudgingly learned songs in German, Latin and Greek, among others. While most of my childhood at St. Mary’s is a blur, every clear memory involves music. It has always grounded me and given me a personal way to worship and give thanks. I missed it dearly while I was away in college and during the pandemic. Throughout those times I couldn’t wait to get back to the music and the community I found in it.
So thank you St. Mary’s, thank you Ryan, Dwight, and Beth, and thank you to the wonderful congregation that allows me to share my love of music. In the words of ABBA:
“So I say
Thank you for the music, the songs I’m singing
Thanks for all the joy they’re bringing
Who can live without it? I ask in all honesty
What would life be?
Without a song or a dance, what are we?
So I say thank you for the music
For giving it to me”