A New Song for Spring

It was a beautiful spring morning when Abigail, the choir director of St. Matthew’s Uniting Church, stood in the choir loft, gazing out over the sanctuary. The church was bathed in the warm light of the rising sun, streaming through the stained glass windows, casting colourful patterns on the worn pews. The air was filled with the scent of blooming flowers from the garden outside, and for a moment, everything felt perfect.

But Abigail’s heart was troubled. She had been the choir director at St. Matthew’s for nearly a decade, and while she loved her work, something had been gnawing at her lately. The choir, much like the church itself, had become stagnant. They sang the same hymns week after week, following the same patterns and routines. The congregation knew what to expect, and while that brought comfort to many, Abigail felt a deep longing for something more—something new.

As she flipped through the pages of the old hymnal, Abigail’s eyes landed on a passage from the Song of Solomon, “Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.” The words filled her with a sense of longing and inspiration. The imagery of spring, with its freshness and new life, mirrored the desire in her heart for renewal within the church.

Later that day, Abigail gathered the choir for their weekly practice. As they took their places, she cleared her throat and addressed them, “I’ve been thinking about our music, about how we worship. I feel like we’re missing something. I think it’s time we try something new.” She held up a sheet of music she had been working on, a new arrangement of a contemporary hymn that was full of energy and joy.

The reaction was immediate. Mrs. Harper, the elderly soprano who had been a choir member for over 40 years, spoke up first, her voice tinged with disapproval. “We never did it that way before,” she said, folding her arms across her chest. A murmur of agreement rippled through the choir.

“We’ve always sung the hymns from the hymnal,” said Mr. Jenkins, the baritone. “The old songs are part of our tradition.”

Abigail nodded, understanding their reluctance. Change was never easy, especially in a place as steeped in tradition as St. Matthew’s. But she also knew that clinging to the old ways for the sake of comfort wasn’t what the church needed. “I understand that,” she replied gently. “And I respect our traditions. But I also think God is calling us to sing a new song. To embrace the new life that spring brings and reflect that in our worship. We can honour our past while still making room for new expressions of our faith.”

The choir members exchanged glances, some uncertain, others thoughtful. Abigail continued, “The Song of Solomon speaks of a time for renewal, for stepping into the newness of life with joy and hope. And Jesus warned against clinging too tightly to traditions that no longer serve us. He spoke of the need to focus on what truly matters, the state of our hearts. Maybe it’s time we embrace that message and allow our worship to be renewed as well.”

After a moment of silence, Mrs. Harper sighed and looked down at the sheet music in her hands. “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to try something new, just this once,” she said, a small smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.

Mr. Jenkins nodded, and one by one, the choir members began to murmur their agreement. Abigail felt a wave of relief wash over her. “Thank you,” she said, her voice full of gratitude. “Let’s give it a try and see how it feels. Who knows, we might just find ourselves singing with more joy than ever before.”

As the choir sang the new hymn that Sunday, the congregation felt a stirring in their hearts. The fresh melody, the uplifting words, and the enthusiasm of the choir brought a sense of renewal to the worship service. For a moment, the air was filled with the promise of new life, just as the world outside was blossoming into spring.

And as the final notes echoed through the sanctuary, Abigail knew they had taken the first step towards embracing the new. It wasn’t just about the music—it was about opening their hearts to the possibilities God had in store, even if it meant letting go of the old and stepping into the unknown. After all, “we never did it that way before” didn’t have to be a reason to resist change; it could be an invitation to experience God’s love in a new and vibrant way.

A New Song for Spring
(short version)

Abigail, the choir director at St. Matthew’s Uniting Church, felt a yearning for something new in their worship. The choir sang the same hymns week after week, and while the familiar routines comforted many, Abigail sensed a need for renewal. One morning, inspired by the imagery of new life in the Song of Solomon, she introduced a contemporary hymn to the choir. She believed it would bring fresh energy and reflect the vibrancy of God’s love.

Abigail shared her idea at the next choir practice, holding up the new sheet music. Instantly, Mrs. Harper, a long-time choir member, voiced her disapproval. “We never did it that way before,” she said, echoing a sentiment others shared. The choir members expressed their preference for sticking with the traditional hymns they had always sung.

Understanding their hesitation, Abigail responded gently. “I respect our traditions, but I feel God is calling us to embrace new expressions of our faith. Just as spring brings new life, perhaps it’s time to sing a new song. We can honour our past while making room for the future.” She reminded them of Jesus’ teachings about focusing on what truly matters: the heart’s openness to God’s presence.

After a moment of silence, the choir members agreed to try the new hymn. On Sunday, as they sang, the fresh melody filled the sanctuary, bringing a sense of renewal. The congregation felt joy and the promise of new life. In that moment, Abigail knew they had taken a step towards embracing the new. They had moved beyond “we never did it that way before” and opened themselves to experience God’s love in a new and vibrant way.