The St. Olaf Conference on

Worship, Theology & the Arts

July 16-20, 2012

St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn.

The theme for this summer's conference is CONFLUENCE: gathered in God's love. Confluence is the meeting of two or more streams. When we begin this conference at opening worship, we are confluent, a collection of people from all across the church joining together for learning, listening and nourishment.

Pastors, church musicians, artists and lay leaders from all denominations and congregations big and small participate in CWTA. Conference leaders include theologians David Lose, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn., Ben Stewart, Lutheran School of Theology, Chicago, Kristen Kvam, St. Paul School of Theology, Kansas City, and Don Saliers, Emory University. Musicians for the week include Anton Armstrong, John Ferguson, David Hagedorn and Jill Mahr, St. Olaf College and Judy Bowers, Florida State University.

Please see our website www.stolaf.edu/events/cwta for more information and to register.

Worship grants

       Sheer wonder at the beauty of God,

       gratitude for the gospel of Christ,

       and eagerness to deepen self-giving service in
               God's world.

Are you eager to deepen worship in your community? This ecumenical grants program, now in its 13th year, has supported worship renewal in more than 500 worshiping communities across North America. (Worship Renewal Grants Program funding from Lilly Endowment Inc.)

Visit the Calvin Institute web site for more information.

Summer 2012 Regional Events

Call for Business Cards

Publish your business card in regional conference books this summer!

How?

Submit 2 business cards and a check to ALCM for $35.
Do you have 2 different business cards or an oversized card? Send 2 copies of each card and a check for $60.
Do you want to include your business card in all 4 region's books? Send 5 cards and a check for $120.

Why?

• Assist with the expenses of the conference.
• Make connections with other ALCM members - who you are and where you serve.
• Get a copy of the conference book, even if you can't attend!

Send business cards and payment to:

     Christopher Dent

     ALCM Advertising Coordinator

     5421 Ivywood Lane

     Columbus, OH  43229

Deadline for submission:  May 31, 2012
 

As you may know, John Ferguson will retire this spring. On behalf of St. Olaf College and the Reunion Committee, we invite you to share in some exciting opportunities to support and celebrate John Ferguson. There are several events planned, some require registration on the St Olaf College website, however specifically the Organ Recital and Cantorei Concert are free for worshipping attendees.

Although we know that not all of you can attend in person as you are located all over the United States and abroad the invitation is extended. We do encourage any and all to participate in the following:

* "Like" the John Ferguson Facebook Page -- http://facebook.com/FergRetire (Lots of fun photos already posted). Take a look....it is NOT only for Alumni, it is for anyone who wants to remain connected to these events.)
* Upload a photo, card or memo for the digital memory book we are creating for John Ferguson by emailing: [email protected].

Public Event Highlights - St Olaf College, Northfield, MN
Saturday, June 2, 2012
* 2:00-3:00PM - Alumni Organ Recital 
* 4:00PM - Cantorei Reunion Concert: A Festival in Song
* 6:00PM - Ferg Feast - Reception Dinner (registration required)
* 8:30PM - Evensong Service 
* 10:30PM - Saturday at the Movies: "Buster Builds a Home" with Ferg at the organ

Choral Titles Wanted!

What are your favorite "tried and true" Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany choral pieces? CrossAccent Music Review Editor Dr. Jean Boehler will be presenting choral reading workshops "ALCM Mixed Choir Choral Favorites" and "ALCM Children and Youth Choral Favorites" at the Region 1 Conference, "God Made Manifest: Liturgy, Song, Life" held June 27-29, 2012 in Bethlehem, PA. All members are encouraged to share titles of their all-time-favorite SATB, SAB, 2-pt, unison, and children's choir literature for the Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany seasons. Newly published literature or chestnuts that have withstood the test of time are welcome! It is hoped that a variety of styles and difficulty levels will be represented which reflect the diversity of our ALCM membership. When submitting your choral favorites, please include title, author, publisher, and octavo number, as well as your name, title, and the congregation which you serve. A comprehensive list will be distributed to all workshop participants and later posted on the web site. Please email titles to [email protected]. Region 1 thanks you for your for help and looks forward to seeing you in Bethlehem next summer!

Summer & Fall Planning Helps

Organ Competition  

Longwood Gardens is pleased to announce the inaugural Longwood Gardens International Organ Competition, June 18-23, 2013. Organists from around the globe will compete on The Longwood Organ for the Pierre S. du Pont First Prize, the largest cash prize of any organ competition. Preliminary and final rounds will be held in the magnificent ballroom at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. The Longwood Organ is among the world's largest concert organs, with 146 ranks and 10,010 pipes.

Applications will be available online June 1.

For more details, visit www.longwoodgardens.org/organcompetition.

Region 4 Newsletter Posted

The summer 2012 Region 4 newsletter has been posted on the ALCM web site. Here's what you will find inside:

Aret� Vocal Ensemble

   Conversation with Wyant Morton

The Braeded Chord

   Conversation with Sharon Dennis & Doris MacDonald

From the Editor

   Carole Lea Arenson

From the Prez

   Joy Berg

California Conference Worship

   Joy Berg

Member Profile

   Frederick Frahm

Youngest Member

   Ryan Gunderson

Around the Region

   Erik Floan & Tom Keesecker

List of Region 4's Biennial Events

   1988-2012

New and Returning Members

Mark YourCalendar