February 24, 2009

CHICAGO For Katie Ernst, Minneapolis, music is a universal language. Music is a way to bridge cultures, "to bring the other to your place," she said.

In an effort to incorporate music from around the world into a singing assembly, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is training young adult musicians like Ernst to use and teach global music.

Music offers the opportunity to create partnerships and share stories of how God works in the lives of people, said Ernst. One doesn't need to be fluent in Spanish, Swahili or French. The singing assembly can still sing songs in various languages, she said.

"People share their stories and experiences through music. My dream job is to engage in social activism through the arts, particularly music," said Ernst, a recent graduate of the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. In addition to being a songwriter and percussionist, Ernst earned a degree in social justice and gender studies.

Ernst and 50 other young adult musicians gathered here Jan. 29-30 for the ELCA Global Music Training Event. The event is one of two designed to equip ELCA members to lead the musical component for and/or co-host the new ELCA Global Formation Events. There are three Global Formation Events scheduled for 2009, and 20 are planned for 2010. Music is a significant part of these events.

Nate Houge, a church musician, said he attended the music training event to grow in his understanding of the global church.

"I have neighbors from Honduras, the Dominican Republic, Philippines and East Africa," said Houge. "To be a worshipping community that reflects this (diversity), I need to learn how to gather people's stories and incorporate that into my music."

Houge serves at Christ Lutheran Church, Capital Hill, Minn., and Humble Walk Lutheran Church, St. Paul. In addition to his church work, Houge performs at coffee shops and bars.

"Faith is an important part of my life, and I work to keep faith congruent with songwriting," Houge said.

At the training event music leaders Tom Witt, Mary Preus and the Rev. Jose Antonio Machado, of the musical ensemble "Bread for the Journey," talked about singing the "music of the global church" and "leading assembly singing in challenging times." Bread for the Journey is featured at national ELCA Global Mission Events.

Dr. I-to Loh, an ethnomusicologist, hymnologist and composer, Tainan, Taiwan, spoke on the trends in ecumenical worship, problems of contextualization in music and liturgy, and Asian styles in Asian hymns.

"Global music is a very powerful tool. It offers a lens through which congregations engage in accompaniment with the world and experience God's diversity," said Sunitha Mortha, director for global formation, ELCA Global Mission.

But there can be "pitfalls" to using global music, particularly when global music becomes a commodity. According to the Rev. Teresita "Tita" C. Valeriano, North American regional officer, Lutheran World Federation, there "is a danger when we globalize music. When music is exported, who claims ownership? Who profits?"

"For many communities around the world, music is shared from one person to another, from generation to generation through oral tradition. This music belongs to the community," Valeriano said.

"But those who travel and have access to technology have the power to claim ownership and copyright music," she said. "When that happens, permission to use the music must be sought, and this brings pain to our friends worldwide, who can no longer claim or profit from the music that's rightfully theirs."

But there is a desire to share music with one another, and it is not about hoarding or making a profit, said Valeriano. "Global music has the ability to nurture and support one another's faith, and that is a gift."

"Music is not only about the production of black and white dots, it is about telling and preserving stories," said the Rev. Rafael Malpica Padilla, executive director, ELCA Global Mission. He talked about accompaniment and worship. ELCA mission personnel operate under the "accompaniment" methodology of mission in the world. Malpica Padilla defines accompaniment as "walking together in solidarity that practices interdependence and mutuality."

Information about ELCA Global Events is at http://tinyurl.com/armp9v/, on the ELCA Web site.

ELCA News Service