Church News July 2016

By Barbara Wayland & Gina Gaudet

June 20 and 21 marked a celestial event not seen in 70 years: the occurrence of a full moon on the summer solstice.

For those who walked the beaches to observe this, it was a beautiful sight. The skies were still faintly light from the late sunset, and the rising moon illuminated a delicate pattern of cloud across the sky. The moon’s trajectory was low, in contrast to the climactic high arc of the sun on the longest day of the year. While these events are sublime to some, they may pass unnoticed by others.

Indeed, the rhythms of the heavens are awe-inspiring. Our ancestors planted crops and predicted tides by the moon, marked time with the sun and navigated voyages by the stars. These were the celestial gifts of God to their daily lives, and sometimes to their survival.

We have mechanical and digital aids in these times, yet we are still captured by a blood moon, an eclipse, a meteor shower or a rainbow. They remind us how small we really are, and how unique and precious is this life on our small, magical planet. The inventions of our human minds are dwarfed by the infinite structure of the universe.

Consider yourself invited to bask in the glow of the waning moon, consider the visible stars and those we cannot see. Google images from the Hubble Telescope and marvel at the birthplaces of the stars. Then read Psalm 18:1-6: “The heavens declare God’s glory, the firmament proclaims God’s handiwork...”

July is just around the corner and Point Roberts is humming. This Saturday night, June 25 at 7 p.m. the Trinity Concert Series presents an Evening with Brahms and Friends, Christopher Knopp on piano and Robin Black on clarinet. Their talents have been described as “brilliant!”

July is just packed with fantastic music. On July 3 at 4 p.m. we have an Afternoon at the Opera, featuring Chloé Hurst (soprano), Richard Epp (piano) and Ray Kirkham (trumpet) in a program of great arias from opera.

Jazz in the Garden is Saturday, July 9 at 5:30 p.m., an outdoor concert with jazz band Alexander Fetherstonhaugh and Friends. The program will include old and new interpretations of classic standards, forgotten gems from great composers and inventive twists on material from surprising sources.

On Sunday, July 10 at 3 p.m. we have longtime favorites the Chamber West Woodwind Quintet with Music for a Summer Afternoon. Hindemith’s Kammermusik No. 2 will be featured, with works.

Finally, on Saturday, July 23, singer/musicologist Marian Buechert returns with a new program, “Great Ladies of Song – a Tribute.”

These five concerts include music for all tastes and these fabulous musicians donate their time and talents to this series. What a blessing for our community!

Donations to these concerts support the summer Children’s Music Camp, which will take place July 25–31. Camp is for children ages 7-12. They will perform on Sunday, July 31, at the Marina as part of this year’s Art and Music Festival.

Contact director Natasha Neufeld at 604/943-9789 or natashaneufeld@gmail.com to register.