Guitar 101

In the last couple of years I have realized that I love connecting with people. Whether it's connecting with someone with a friendly smile while walking past them on the street, a laugh-fest, or having tea with someone and talking about life. I love the moment when a friendship with someone becomes an inch more deep then what it was when you initially sat down because of the connection that has been made.

I've been using this passion of mine, a lot in my ministry in order to meet people. I love meeting people where they are at, it allows me to connect with them and them with me, because I give them the chance to share who they are and what they are passionate about with me.

There are a couple of parishioners in Viking who are part of the Music Team. They are both guitar players and LOVE music and leading worship. They are 2 of 4 guitarists who lead worship at our services. Shortly after I began working in Viking these two parshioners, knowing my background in music, suggested I learn how to play guitar, and suggested that I let them teach me. I was hesitant at first, it would mean I would have to buy a guitar, and I really didn't know if they would follow through. After all they are busy with families and work etc. So after a couple of weeks I agreed, and started asking them about where I could buy a reasonably priced guitar. "No need to buy one," one of the guys exclaimed, "I've got one you can borrow." So the next Sunday I was in town, we arranged for me to show up an hour before the service. I put my vestments and clergy stuff in the vestry, grabbed the guitar, sat down in the front pew of the church and started learning some chords G,C, and D, to be exact. I left with my three chords to practice, along with learning how to transition my fingers form one chord to another and forming callus' on my fingertips By the second time we met (every 3rd Sunday of the month) I was ready to learn three more chords E, Em and A.

It's been a great experience for me, not just because I get to learn how to play an instrument that I've secretly wanted to learn to play, but because I get to connect with two parishioners who I don't think I would have been able to connect with this way over a cup of tea. I get to watch the excitement in their eyes, when I learn a new chord, or put the chords together in a song. I get to listen to the excitement and passion that comes out of their mouth when they share with me the kind of music they like and show me tricks that give the music a cool sound. I get to see the joy in their eyes as they share the gift of music that God has given them, with me.

It is moments like these that I thank God for the gift of the Spirit who takes ordinary encounters and turns them into God moments full of grace, fellowship, and friendship!!