Annual recital series comes to a close with interfaith choral concert
Twenty years ago, Phyllis Connelly, a talented and dedicated local organist, conceived of a time when Christians of all denominations would sit side by side in the presence of Our Lord and join together in reflection through the sharing of instrumental music, song, prayer and fellowship. Sadly, Phyllis passed away eight months ago, but her dream lives on in this, the Nineteenth Annual Lenten Recital Series and Palm Sunday Interfaith Festival.
The Palm Sunday Interfaith Festival brings to a close the Phyllis A. Lange-Connelly Memorial Lenten Recitals, a series of eleven Lenten organ recitals enjoyed by over eight hundred people. It features the talents of more than eighty singers from nineteen churches, two handbell choirs, and clergy from eight area churches. Through music and scripture, they will help us recall and give thanks for our Lord's “Journey to the Cross.”
The audience will be invited to sing during two choir selections. In between, they will enjoy the presentation anthems by the choir and musicians, and readings presented by participating clergy.
Musicians and singers are primarily drawn from Dundee Township area churches, including First Congregational Church, First United Methodist, Immanuel Lutheran, St. James Episcopal Church, and St. Catherine of Siena. Two Elgin churches also participate: First Presbyterian and St. Thomas More Catholic Church. A number of participants come from other area churches including Bethel Lutheran Church in Palatine, First Congregational Church in Huntley and Shepherd of the Prairie Lutheran Church in Huntley.
Admission to the Palm Sunday afternoon hour long concert and prayer service is free. An offering will be accepted to defray expenses and provide support for future Interfaith Music events.
The 19th annual Palm Sunday Festival will start at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 24. A prelude of instrumental music will begin at 2:45 p.m.
The Palm Sunday Festival is part of an ongoing Dundee and Elgin Area Lenten Recital Series. For information, call Deborah Walters by email jndawalters@sbcglobal.net