Makkovik Spring

Makkovik Spring

harbor ice melting, June 2009

Herd in Hebron

Herd in Hebron

Traditional Holy Communion

Traditional Holy Communion
Zipora reading in Inutitut

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Day 170

As the song sings, "Ask and it shall be given unto you, seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be opened unto you, Allelu, alleluia!"

It was a morning in December, 4 weeks prior to departing for Labrador, and my journal reads, "Lord, show me the Kingdom of God in Labrador, my heart is open to You". I had no clue what I was asking. This has been 5-3/4 months of wonder after wonder. You can see from the spring thaw how powerful our God is; melting with stunning perfection ocean ice that was 6 or more feet thick in the harbor, once a playground for the Easter Games in April, now a fishing boat thoroughfare for the spring highlight - fishing for the freshest of salmon and trout. Popular meals now are 'fish & brews', smoked salmon, and BBQ fish.

The 2nd Annual Moravian Music Workshop is in its final stages of planning; a waiting list of kids that wish to attend, with faculty and students from Memorial University, and a Labrador folk singer attending, along with myself and one other returning musician. Next week, the church will be filled with the sounds of brass, handchimes, guitars, woodwinds, and percussion and students from all over Labrador.

Happy Valley Moravian had their all-church picnic last week; sixty people attended! This coming Sunday we'll celebrate Canada Day with Holy Communion.

The weather has suddenly mellowed to a couple of days of temperatures over 65 (f). The signature bug [State Bird] has appeared in mass, the giant misquito, but after a long winter, who cares! The days are rather long and bright; the sunlight appearing brightly at 3:45 am and it stays light until close to 11pm.
July 6th is approaching fast for me and for those around here. I'm at a loss for words about that.
As I think of how the above images reflect the grandeur love God has for us, I am reminded how each of us are a reflection of the likeness of Christ. May our reflection be crystal clear; "Called to be salt and light in this world, Called to preserve and to shine, Called to reflect the glory of God - Oh, what a calling is mine! [Fitzhugh].
Posted by George and Glenna at 6/23/2009 06:10:00 PM

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Labrador Handchime Project 2-Octaves of Malmark Chimes

Labrador Handchime Project 2-Octaves of Malmark Chimes

Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary,
Praise him in his mighty firmament!
Praise him for his mighty deeds;
Praise him according to his surpassing greatness!

Praise him with trumpet sound;
Praise him with lute and harp!
Praise him with tambourine and dance;
Praise him with strings and pipe!
Praise him with clanging cymbals;
Praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord! Ps.150

The psalmist here was praising God because of his mighty excellence in all of his works and was calling upon all [in the sanctuary] to praise God with whatever they had within their possession; a trumpet, a harp, a tambourine, dancing, even ones voice. Everything! And the book of Psalms appropriately ends with a Hallelujah!
It is with that joy that I find myself returning to Labrador in early 2009 and would like to share my handbell and chime experience with the Labrador youth. The Labrador Moravians have a rich history of music ministry which was so evident in the first Music Workshop this past summer. Not only do the youth have a noticeable passion to learn, but the congregations are hungry to play whenever the opportunity arises. The youth of the summer youth camp also took every advantage to participate in handchime ensembles thanks to the loaning of a set of handchimes by New Philadelphia Moravian Church.
Handchimes are the perfect percussive instrument to learn when few instruments are to be had as they lend themselves to all levels of musical skill and players can quickly succeed. They are affordable and produce some of the most heavenly sounds that can be created.
You, your congregation, or your Sunday School class have the opportunity to prayerfully sponsor an individual chime at $50./ each (including shipping) for which a 2-Octave Malmark set will be purchased and carried to Labrador in January. They will be introduced to all the communities I visit and eventually find their permanent home there.
Checks should be made out to “Board of World Mission"with “Labrador Handchimes” written on the lower line, and sent to 1021 Center St., POBox 1245, Bethlehem, PA. 18016-1245. In addition, you can keep up with your investment/support by viewing my ministry blog right here, hear all the most up-to-date news of this unfolding ministry, and stay in touch.
Prayerfully consider your PARTNERSHIP in this musical ministry, engaging the Labrador Moravians in a gift of praise to the Lord in their sanctuaries. Hallelujah!

Moravian Labrador History

In 1752, Moravians first explored Labrador lands. From Nisbet Harbour, the present communities of Nain(1771), Hopedale(1782), Makkovik(1896), Happy Valley(1950s) exist with the help of the local Inuit and German Moravians. Music & education were important along with fishing, hunting, and lumber trading. Labradorans are gracious and loving people to this day and welcome and share the love of Christ each day. Today's Inuit (Eskimos) in the Arctic have been devastatingly affected by the impact of Western culture. Current Moravian news...
http://labradormoravian.blogspot.com/

Links to more info on Labrador Moravians

  • http://www.heritage.nf.ca/society/music.html
  • http://www.labradorvirtualmuseum.ca/wem/Moravian.html