I wonder if Xanga will still let me keep my account active.

In preparation for the upcoming weekend in which I'll be attending the Laurelville Music and Worship Leaders weekend, I thought I'd include this quote by Charlotte Kroeker in the introduction of the book 'Music in Christian Worship', which she edited:

"...the nature of church music is interdisciplinary. While it may be based in the field of music, the standards and practices of music alone are not adequate foundations for church music. Church music is in the service of the liturgy, so liturgy matters. Church music at its best is a way to understand theology, so theology matters. When worship is crafted well it ministers, so the ministry and pastoral aspects of church music matter. Music in Christian worship is participatory, so the knowledge and experience of the congregation matter."

So I guess she thinks I shouldn't just choose a few of my favorite songs to sing the next time I lead music somewhere. Huh.

My grandpa writes an e-mail to all of his children and grandchildren every morning except for Sundays. Here's one he sent today, and I think it's awesome.

At the time of the "Amish" tragedy Russ Eans, pastor of Crossroads Mennonite Church, wrote an article published in the local Johnstown Tribune Democrat about the tragedy "Lancaster Amish Have Powerful Weapons Of Mass Forgiveness" the bold headline across three columns. In a later issue they published in their letters to the publisher a letter criticizing the article. About three days ago by email I wrote a letter in response. Of all things yesterday they featured my letter with a broad headline across it. I intended it only to be handled as another letter to the editor

Following is a copy of my letter following the bold headlines "Mandela showed benefits of forgiveness"

"Russ Eane' column appeals to the possibility of national forgiveness and this to most of us sounds unreal and impossible
Letter writer Gregolry Gyauch's response "Forgive and forget terrorist attacks? Never" shows that.
But there is a historical precedence for such action - a whole nation seeking forgiveness and reconciliation. Nelson Mandela of the Republic of South was imprisoned for 32 years, most of the time in solitary confinement. When he was released and became president, Mandela set up a program whereby there could be forgiveness and reconciliation for the murderous crimes, terror and hatred committed by the white apartheid government against nonwhite people.
Seventeen commissioners were set up to hold court and hear the confessions of the guilty. Often the victim's family say and heard the perpetrators' stories. Mothers heard how their sons were put to death in a pile of burning tires. And, like the Amish they forgave.
Mandela's actions brought peace and stability to a country that was headed for a bloodbath.
I understand that immediately prior to President Bush's taking the United States into war against Iraq, Mandela asked to have a conference with him. Bush refused to see him.
Would Mandel's ideas be unreal and impossible?