This past Sunday, the children of two of our close friends were baptized at First Christian Church in our hometown of Fulton, MO. Our own kids and I (Erin was out of town) were so excited to be there for our friends on such a great and holy day. Since this church was a very…
Category: JesusJusticeJoy
amazing, catholicism, family, friends, JesusJusticeJoy, Justice, ministry, music, prayer, reflection, scripture, YSP
Sometimes the Children Lead
Job 32:9 reads: “It is not those of many days who are wise, nor the aged who understand the right.” Elihu, the son of one of Job’s three friends, is upset that his father and the other two have not adequately answered Job’s complaints nor have they condemned Job’s considering himself to be in the right rather than God Almighty. So, it takes a child to point out the obvious — and sometimes this is still the case today.
Shannon wrote last week about Youth Sing Praise, at which I (Orin) was, on staff as assistant music director and accompanist, and also assisted at prayer. Additionally, Youth Sing Praise Jr., a one day program for 6-7-8th graders met just on Saturday and prepared and sang that night a song from a musical I co-wrote for YSP a few years ago with my friend Bradley Behrmann. While the song, “Why Must There Always Be Someone to Hate?” is sung in the show by Uncle Mordechai, the hero of the show is his niece, Queen Esther, herself likely little more than a teenager, saving the Jewish people from the first recorded attempt to exterminate them.
One of the reasons I remain active in various efforts at youth ministry is what I learn from them, particularly about my faith and, simply, how to just get along in the world. May we all be willing, at times, to let the children lead and teach!
Without further ado, here’s the video of Saturday’s performance, shot by proud dad Shannon, who had two children in the group, including Noah, Godson of me and my wife, who solos on the first line of the song as well as a little later on. Enjoy!
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Go Go Go!
As a youth minister, much of my ongoing work involves building relationships with young people, helping to set up for them encounters with Jesus, and walking with them as they discover their giftedness and place in this Church. Because of the enormity of this task, I often look to what opportunities might be available to…
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The New Normal
Shannon here. A few months back, I revealed that my family had been going through a bit of darkness, centered around my wife’s recent job loss. I know that many of you prayed for and supported us during that time. I just want to say how grateful we are for how active the body of…
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You Get Good at What You Practice
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Congrats, Dan and Katie!
Eleven years ago, Oddwalk was booked to lead music at a youth rally for the Diocese of Jefferson City. Our regular bass player was unavailable, though, and we needed a replacement. That’s when Rick, our drummer, introduced us to Dan Lang. Little did we know back then just how well Dan would fit into the…
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Beauty, Truth, and Justice
One of my (Orin’s) other hats in life is as an assistant director for (and singer in) the St. Louis Chamber Chorus. Our artistic director, Philip Barnes, is celebrating his 30th season with the group this year, and Aquinas Institute of Theology (where I graduated from in 2008) awarded him an honorary doctorate this past…
catholicism, friends, JesusJusticeJoy, Joy, ministry, oddwalkia, prayer, scripture
To Serve and Not to Be Served
This past Saturday, Erin and I and our family had the privilege of witnessing the ordination of our good friend, Chris Korte, to the permanent diaconate for the Diocese of Jefferson City. Chris was part of a class of thirteen men who will, no doubt, serve our diocese well. Erin and I have been very…