Reflections on the Central Christian Choir Tour -- August 15-22, 2002

by Dave Miller, Bob Smith and Connie Bordner

(click on any photo to view a larger image)

Tour Program

The Central Christian Church Chancel Choir and other church members presented religious choral concerts at the following churches:

1. First Christian Church, Lafayette, Indiana
2. St. Thomas Christian Church, Ontario, Canada
3. Elmira Mennonite Church, Elmira, Ontario, Canada
4. All Canada Convention, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.

Thirty-four Central Christian members participated in the choir tour, including spouses and other interested church members. Don Martin, Central's Minister of Music (pictured at right), coordinated the tour and conducted the choir concerts.

Tour Planning

Planning for the choir tour started in February, 2001, following a suggestion that Central's Chancel Choir consider singing at the opening session of the All Canada Convention for Disciples Churches to be held on August 21, 2002 in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Other stops on the choir tour were arranged on the choir's travel schedule enroute to Niagara Falls.

John and Jan Baird acted as treasurers for the trip and organized fund raising events. They were assisted by Janice Mitchell, who planned the choir's variety show (one act of which is shown on the left), to raise money for the trip, even though she wasn't able to go along. What a trouper!

Connie Bordner was the soloist for the long time favorite "Blessed Assurance". Connie contended with a potential loss of voice for three days but recovered in time for each performance, including the one at Niagara Falls.

Karen Driver was the knockout soloist for the final number "We've Come This Far By Faith." Her stage presence and vocal exuberance were of great concern, for fear she would defect to Canada and become the leading lady in "My Fair Lady" at the Stratford Festival Theatre. Karen was a voice major at Southern Illinois University and was a standout crowd pleaser at all concerts, along with other soloists.

Visit to a Mennonite Farm [0le (Mc) Martin's Farm]

The tour bus was diverted on Sunday afternoon to visit a Mennonite farm located near St. Jacobs. The farm was owned by Don Martin's oldest sister and her husband. The group observed Swiss steers in the feedlot and an immaculately tended garden on the side of the farmhouse property. (After 35 Illinois guests trampled through the garden and tiptoed through the flowers, we are sure Don's sister was relieved to see the bus pull away from the farm.) She was beginning to think she might have to feed us. The picture above shows the choir on the lawn of the Elmyra Mennonite Church.

Bob Smith and Connie discovered a beautiful farm pond on the Martin property. The pond was equipped with a pulse pump, which carried water from the pond up the hill to the barn without the use of electricity. Connie also astutely observed beautiful phosphorescent blue dragonflies "playing" around the perimeter of the pond. The dragonflies seemed to have nothing better to do than to perform dances for the farm guests. Connie found a dragonfly pin on her pillow that night in her hotel room. She wore it the remainder of the trip and wishes to thank Mother Nature for the gift (via anonymous giver). The photo above shows choir members touring the "Kissing Bridge" near Elmira, Ontario in Mennonite country.

Funny Things Happened on the Way to the Forum

Karen Driver was mistakenly given the room key labeled "Driver" for her hotel room assignment at Niagara Falls Best Western. Who was more surprised upon arrival at the room, Terry, the Bus Driver, or Karen and her roommate?

Carol Graham, our accompanist (pictured at left), was driven by car to the Niagara Falls by Don Sheffer after the All Canada Convention opening session. Her right foot was in a walking cast during the entire trip due to a mishap on the way to choir practice, prior to the trip. She enjoyed the colorful light display at the Falls. However, she was kept busy taking pictures for European couples also visiting the falls that night.

Don Sheffer drove up to meet his wife, Ellen, at Niagara Falls on Tuesday. He volunteered to drive choir members and guests to the Niagara Falls during the evenings to escape the rigor of their having to walk up the steep hill to the motel.

Roy Schilling (a youthful 87!, pictured at right holding doors for choir members) entertained the group with his amazing achievements in the category of collecting phone numbers of innocent women in the Mennonite community of St. Jacobs. The fact that he picked up the business cards would have gone unnoticed if he hadn't announced additions to his card collection each morning at the beginning of the day's bus trip.

Work Projects in Kitchener/Waterloo Area

Don Marin organized a series of community work projects for the group to participate in on Monday (photo on left). The projects were located at the House of Friendship, a community service organization sponsored by the Ontario government, Mennonite Church, and the United Way. The group completed the following projects:

1. Weeded a memorial garden at a neighbor center… in the rain.
2. Sorted very heavy sacks of potatoes and food supplies for a community food pantry.
3. Hung wallpaper at a substance abuse recovery center.
4. Cleaned out (a despicably gross) walk-in cooler at a men's homeless shelter.
5. Painted a room, tables, and shelves in the Neighborhood Community Center.
6. Washed chairs and tables for the homeless shelter's dining room.

Impressions of Centrals' Choir Tour

On the bus trip home, choir members were asked what they enjoyed most about the choir tour. The following impressions were provided to share with the larger Central family:

Being a member of the CCC critique club (the non-singers on tour), listening to the choir many times.
How appreciative the residents were at the men's rehab house of the volunteer assistance from Centrals' choir members and friends.
Standing at the base of Niagara Falls and realizing that Gods' realities are greater than our dreams.
At the worship service at the All Canada Convention, everything was presented in such a meaningful way.
Singing along, and learning that E.T. lives in the Horseshoe Falls.
The way the choir sounded as a group. At St. Thomas the choir achieved as perfect a sound as the choir has ever accomplished.
The camaraderie of the group.
Having a bus driver that fit into the scene and seemed like one of the gang.
The concerts at Elmira and St. Thomas because of their special meaning.
Don Martin liked the service at Elmira---"standing with my old church family behind and my new church family in front & feeling the best of both worlds, and introducing the two parts to each other!"
Our singing together in the lobby at the Best Western Motel at St. Jacobs.
The most memorable concert was at Elmira. Don shared his gifts with us and his church. His church shared the gift of Don's past with us.
Getting to know people on a personal basis, not just "Hi, How are you?" on Sunday morning.
Carol Graham appreciated the personal caring she felt from everyone regarding her broken foot.
I received a better understanding of the Mennonite Community, and Don's heritage.
The "Maid of the Midst."
The most moving experience was the response of the congregation at St. Thomas to the performance.
Carol Graham was such class act, playing a different piano each time and persevering in spite of her broken foot without complaint.
The group spirit. Never a cross word.
Getting to know each other. It builds church community.
All the beautiful flowers.
Choir members often spoke of hearing catchy phrases from their favorite numbers in their heads all night long, like "visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads."
The Elmira congregation's singing a capella in parts of the "Mennonite National Anthem"
The emphasis on Peace during the service at the Elmira Mennonite Church.
The health consciousness of the walkers in the group and Roy rushing to open the door for everyone.
Cementing the bonds with our church family in Canada, getting to know Canadians, and vice versa.
The generosity of the members at Central through donations.
The many "laugh moments".
The Mennonites take such good care of the earth.
The tranquility of the Mennonite countryside and the plays at Stratford.
Leaving Judy at the Stratford Festival Theatre. She resourcefully hailed a cab and passed us by as we walked to the hotel.
Niagra-on-the-Lake and the Niagra whirlpool
The choir performances. We did CCC proud.
The choir means so much to me.
Being silly and goofy and then coming together in a whole new way.
To the tune of We've Come This Far By Faith, "We've come this far by bus".
Friendships are special, the music was wonderful.
The choir members' commitment to give their individual best performance at each concert.
The tour schedule was ideally suited for us because it contained a balance of performances, touring, and leaning about the Christian Canadian communities we were graciously invited to explore.
Oddly, the bus rides, because of the air of expectation. You never knew where the next wise crack was coming from, and you certainly didn't want to sleep and miss a good joke.
When Don introduced us from Decatur, the youthful minister of the St. Thomas church replied, "and we're de caterers" referring to the fact that they served us our evening meal.
Connie said, "Ditto the above."

The choir gearing up for the trip at the pre-tour concert

Choir members making beautiful music

Concentration is a key factor in singing

Larry, Maxine and Betty, taking a photo of the photographer!

Don saying good-bye to his children

Loading the bus

Are we there yet?

Don and good friend, Bob Martin, making last minute plans

What did we get ourselves into?

More fun on the bus

Here we go!

Connie with former members of Central at Lafayette, Indiana

A midnight snack

Don with seminary buddies at St. Thomas

Visiting after the concert

Arriving for the Stratford Festival play

Chatting with Don's family in Elmyra, Ontario

The Critique Club!

An impromptu sing-along in the hotel lobby

The view from above!

Beautiful view and beautiful company at Niagra falls!

The Niagara Falls lights beaming past the Skylon observation tower