Posts Tagged ‘Susan McNeely’
New Music Introduced at Regional Assembly
The Regional Assembly did more than offer Indiana’s Disciples an opportunity for worship and fellowship. It even presented more than the mission partnership with Disciples in the Congo. The theme of the asssembly and one person’s experience among Congolese Disciples inspired two songs written by Hoosier Disciples that were presented for the first time at the assembly.
V.J. Stover, pastor of First Christian Church in Sheridan, translated the assembly theme into a six-verse hymn, Have You Heard (That Nothing Is Impossible with God). The hymn was woven throughout the Friday evening worship service and sung as the closing hymn of the Assembly on Saturday.
In addition to an M.Div. from CTS, V.J. holds a B.A. in Music Education from the University of Evansville and a Master of Arts from Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo. He has been a public school music director in southern Indiana and does not recall a time when he could not read music.
V.J. has been composing since high school. He has written a piece for every performing group that he has directed, including two cantatas for the Sheridan Community Choir that were performed during Easter sunrise services. He also composed a musical for the Indiana region’s 150th anniversary.
Susan McNeely, a member of Southport Christian Church, was a member of the delegation that visited Mbandaka in May. Her experience while there inspired her to write The River and the Tree.
Susan wrote most of the devotional guide that Indiana Disciples used while the group was in Congo. Although she has written some poetry, this was the first song that she has written. During the trip, the group spent a full day on the Congo River, visiting churches in the Mbandaka district. Feeling that was the day that the partnership was really forged, she felt that it must be making God happy. The verses talk about the river, the tree and the people and how each makes glad the city of God.
Once the poem was down, according to Susan, she realized that it could work well as a song. She added a chorus and began working on a melody.
Susan had some musical training as a child but took up playing the mountain dulcimer two years ago. Using the Applachian folk instrument to compose the melody gave the song an American folk air. She hopes to hear the tune combined with Congolese drumming to bring together both musical cultures.
