Getting the Easter drama choir music together and passed out is usually the first big hump of Easter drama planning to climb over (did this Wednesday). The second big hump is the Kick Off Meeting (did this tonight). Both are a culmination of LOTS of time consuming information-gathering and planning. The fact that I had both of these in the same week is unusual - - I was behind on getting the choir music together - - so tonight I feel like I've reached the summit of a really big hill. I can breathe a big sigh of relief because I have a slight reprieve.
Of course there are still many deadlines on the horizon. Promotional letters, fliers, and posters have to be written and designed and printed, but first priority is to get the script done. I'll begin that first thing tomorrow morning.
This is an exciting task. I'll take all the pieces that God's given me so far (songs, scene selections, narrators, etc.) and start weaving them all together.
Step 1 - Edit the sound tracks, both the choral songs and the underscores, so I can get a feel for the timing of a scene. Choral sound tracks come in multiple sections; one song may have 9 different tracks. I have to glue all of these together in a song editing program, and then shorten the song, or add to it, or whatever to make it work for a scene.
Step 2 - Search the Scriptures and write narrations and scenes out.
Step 3 - Edit the music and the narrations and the acting even more so they fit all together (many times this means propping a CD player on my shoulder and "walking through" scenes in the empty sanctuary to get the timing of a narration or the timing of a scene just right).
Step 4 - Add the technical prompts to the script (lighting, sound).
Then I PRAY PRAY PRAY that I've remembered everything before I make copies of the script for everyone!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
Information Packets Day
One important thing that we do to prepare for the Easter drama is a Kick Off Meeting. We ask everyone that signed up to be involved in any capacity of the Easter drama to attend. At this meeting we hand out information packets and sign up lists are made available for childcare, t-shirts, corporate sponsorships, etc. and also have a time of prayer.
Today I finalized all that information and created and copied these packets. The information included is:
* Things You Need to Know
*Team Leaders and Contact Information
*What to Wear
*Childcare Information
*Dress Rehearsal / Performance Information
*Corporate Sponsor Information
*Calendar
People will refer to the packets of information repeatedly throughout the next two months, so we work hard to get everything in them we can think of. I ask for everyone's feedback and evaluations at the end of each year's Easter drama, and many times this feedback affects the information packets and what we put in them.
Today I finalized all that information and created and copied these packets. The information included is:
* Things You Need to Know
*Team Leaders and Contact Information
*What to Wear
*Childcare Information
*Dress Rehearsal / Performance Information
*Corporate Sponsor Information
*Calendar
People will refer to the packets of information repeatedly throughout the next two months, so we work hard to get everything in them we can think of. I ask for everyone's feedback and evaluations at the end of each year's Easter drama, and many times this feedback affects the information packets and what we put in them.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Team Leaders and Do-Anythingers
An Easter drama production of our magnitute doesn't happen because a few staff members organize it. It happens because our church family embraces it and makes it happen. Not only do we have 29 Team Leaders, but we have scores of people that step up and do whatever is needed.
For instance, yesterday afternoon a group of about 8 people met about 90 minutes before choir rehearsal and put together our drama choir notebooks. This week a volunteer came into the church office, borrowed a computer, and typed out all the lyrics to each of the Easter drama songs so they can easily be inserted into the script. Our church's Properties Committee begins weeks before the Easter drama addressing needs to our campus, and coordinates a church-wide work day so that our campus will be ready to receive the thousands of visitors we'll have. Our office receptionist took time to help my secretary clean out old choir notebooks. I could go on and on.
And our precious Drama Teams. Man, how they take on the task. Throughout the year our Animal Management Team takes care of our camel. Our Costumes Team has cleaned out their costume room and already begun making repairs. Our Set Construction Team has evaluated some of the set that needs repair, and set up a work time for that. Our Set Decoration Team has begun brain storming the new scene. Our Food Services Teams have already begun preparation for the meals they will coordinate. Our Extras Team has begun meeting to assign volunteers for parts in the drama. Our Greeters and Reservations Teams have already begun thinking through how to address seating and reservation issues from last year. And those are just the teams I'm aware of...many of them begin working quietly and I never know!
Lord, may the ministerial staff of our church never loose sight that we have an Easter drama because of the desire of the people of the church to have an Easter drama. May we do everything in our power to help them be successful, for success in their efforts is success for the kingdom of God. Amen.
For instance, yesterday afternoon a group of about 8 people met about 90 minutes before choir rehearsal and put together our drama choir notebooks. This week a volunteer came into the church office, borrowed a computer, and typed out all the lyrics to each of the Easter drama songs so they can easily be inserted into the script. Our church's Properties Committee begins weeks before the Easter drama addressing needs to our campus, and coordinates a church-wide work day so that our campus will be ready to receive the thousands of visitors we'll have. Our office receptionist took time to help my secretary clean out old choir notebooks. I could go on and on.
And our precious Drama Teams. Man, how they take on the task. Throughout the year our Animal Management Team takes care of our camel. Our Costumes Team has cleaned out their costume room and already begun making repairs. Our Set Construction Team has evaluated some of the set that needs repair, and set up a work time for that. Our Set Decoration Team has begun brain storming the new scene. Our Food Services Teams have already begun preparation for the meals they will coordinate. Our Extras Team has begun meeting to assign volunteers for parts in the drama. Our Greeters and Reservations Teams have already begun thinking through how to address seating and reservation issues from last year. And those are just the teams I'm aware of...many of them begin working quietly and I never know!
Lord, may the ministerial staff of our church never loose sight that we have an Easter drama because of the desire of the people of the church to have an Easter drama. May we do everything in our power to help them be successful, for success in their efforts is success for the kingdom of God. Amen.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Overwhelmed...Inspired
Each year during Easter drama planning there are moments of being overwhelmed, feeling as if there are too many deadlines for too many things and not enough time. Today I had one of those overwhelmed moments. Try as hard as you might you're not always able to control the way a day unfolds, yet the deadlines don't budge. Today the unexpected need to rearrange the voicing of a song became the number one priority so it would be ready for the volunteers as they put together choir notebooks tonight and so the choir could begin practicing it. The day became one of inputting eighth notes and dotted quarter notes and tied sixteenth notes and rests in the Finale computer program (a music notation system). And folks, you can only do that one little note at a time. So here I go, clicking away on the computer while the day flies by. Whew. Got it done!
Choir rehearsal CDs also got duplicated today. That involves formatting the CD cover, editing songs, burning masters, checking files to make sure the songs are without glitches. We are so blessed to have a CD duplicating / printer robot (seriously!). I used to have to take CDs across town to get them duplicated and printed, but several years ago some dear church members donated the funds for this duplicating machine.
A last minute song choice for one of the scenes was fulfilled today as the tracks and music were delivered in time. On a lark I listened to a forgotten demo CD, and was blown away by a song. Yet it was a solo with very little choir, and for this particular scene it needed to have more choir. A helpful sales rep through the music company that distributes this song was able to track down a choral arrangement, fax it to me so I could compare songs, and then overnight the new one to me. When God gives me inspiration and then allows all the pieces fit together to create reality, it's an awesome thing.
Many of the Team Leaders have already begun working on areas of responsibility. So many people give so much of their time and no one sees it or knows about it. What a living example of the body of Christ.
Tonight was a great choir rehearsal. This year's drama choir has a beautiful sound, a very full blended sound. I'm blessed beyond measure with their talent.
Choir rehearsal CDs also got duplicated today. That involves formatting the CD cover, editing songs, burning masters, checking files to make sure the songs are without glitches. We are so blessed to have a CD duplicating / printer robot (seriously!). I used to have to take CDs across town to get them duplicated and printed, but several years ago some dear church members donated the funds for this duplicating machine.
A last minute song choice for one of the scenes was fulfilled today as the tracks and music were delivered in time. On a lark I listened to a forgotten demo CD, and was blown away by a song. Yet it was a solo with very little choir, and for this particular scene it needed to have more choir. A helpful sales rep through the music company that distributes this song was able to track down a choral arrangement, fax it to me so I could compare songs, and then overnight the new one to me. When God gives me inspiration and then allows all the pieces fit together to create reality, it's an awesome thing.
Many of the Team Leaders have already begun working on areas of responsibility. So many people give so much of their time and no one sees it or knows about it. What a living example of the body of Christ.
Tonight was a great choir rehearsal. This year's drama choir has a beautiful sound, a very full blended sound. I'm blessed beyond measure with their talent.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Tuesday
I'm reading a book Seven Words of Worship by Mike Harland and Stan Moser. As I was reading it today during my quiet time I was reminded that when we worship God He uses that to call us to Him. My prayer as I prepare our Easter drama is that God will use it to bring people to a place of worship...a place of awe at who He is and what He's done for us, and in so doing call them to Him.
Today I finalized the Easter drama soloists and their alternates and contacted each of them (email!). People sometimes will ask me why I don't do "tryouts" for solos. Simply put, I don't feel led to. The soloists will all come from the choir (except for some students and children), and I'm very familiar with the choir's voices. I know the timbre of their individual voices, the strengths and weaknesses of their voices, their stage presence, each one's dependability and consistancy. I can't imagine adding evenings of auditions to my schedule during this time anyway!
I also completed the master for the choir's rehearsal CD. This is about 2 weeks late! Tomorrow I think I'll lay hands on our contrary CD duplicator, and pray that it will behave and duplicate the CDs without any problem for tomorrow night.
Today the Extras Team gave me their list of dates for blocking the different scenes, and I updated the drama calendar. It can be overwhelming if I look at the drama calendar in full. I have to look at it a day at a time. Through the years I've slowly learned that I don't have to be at every single drama-scheduled event. That's why we have Team Leaders. Now if I could just get rid of the guilty feelings whenever I'm not there!!
This is the point of planning where it seems like it never ends...there's always something else to finish up, someone else waiting on me for something. I've learned that this first big push evens out for a few days after I get the script completed. I so look forward to those few days of non-stress! BUT...this is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice....
Today I finalized the Easter drama soloists and their alternates and contacted each of them (email!). People sometimes will ask me why I don't do "tryouts" for solos. Simply put, I don't feel led to. The soloists will all come from the choir (except for some students and children), and I'm very familiar with the choir's voices. I know the timbre of their individual voices, the strengths and weaknesses of their voices, their stage presence, each one's dependability and consistancy. I can't imagine adding evenings of auditions to my schedule during this time anyway!
I also completed the master for the choir's rehearsal CD. This is about 2 weeks late! Tomorrow I think I'll lay hands on our contrary CD duplicator, and pray that it will behave and duplicate the CDs without any problem for tomorrow night.
Today the Extras Team gave me their list of dates for blocking the different scenes, and I updated the drama calendar. It can be overwhelming if I look at the drama calendar in full. I have to look at it a day at a time. Through the years I've slowly learned that I don't have to be at every single drama-scheduled event. That's why we have Team Leaders. Now if I could just get rid of the guilty feelings whenever I'm not there!!
This is the point of planning where it seems like it never ends...there's always something else to finish up, someone else waiting on me for something. I've learned that this first big push evens out for a few days after I get the script completed. I so look forward to those few days of non-stress! BUT...this is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice....
Monday, January 25, 2010
Piecing the Puzzle Together
Putting together the actual Easter drama itself is like putting a big puzzle together. I don't mean the organization or structure of all the drama teams, but the storyline and script and songs. Today I put all the "edges" of this puzzle together: I put a working outline together of every scene, all the extras needed for each scene, the songs, and the soloists. I decided what parts of the life of Jesus will be included in this year's storylines and struggled through how to transition between most of those scenes.
This is the beginning of struggling with Creativity vs. Reality. Creativity may come up with a scene that has 16 speaking parts/solos, but Reality speaks up and reminds that we only have 12 wireless microphone receivers, and I also have to keep in mind the mics needed for the scenes prior to and immediately following this scene.
Putting together this outline helps me find the gaps I may have overlooked in the overall story; it makes me think through transition music and underscores I need to find. It also allows me to begin working on the actual script. ("Script" doesn't just mean the words the actors say. It also means staging, light and sound cues, props needed, timing.)
This week the Extras Team will begin meeting to assign actors their parts. The Costume Team is meeting to repair and begin assessing costumes and props. My poor secretary has been working non-stop on inputting volunteer questionnaries into lists so I can distribute them to team leaders. My Lead Team has almost finished recruiting all the team leaders.
It's going to be a full week, but one that God's work is being done, and that's always a good thing.
This is the beginning of struggling with Creativity vs. Reality. Creativity may come up with a scene that has 16 speaking parts/solos, but Reality speaks up and reminds that we only have 12 wireless microphone receivers, and I also have to keep in mind the mics needed for the scenes prior to and immediately following this scene.
Putting together this outline helps me find the gaps I may have overlooked in the overall story; it makes me think through transition music and underscores I need to find. It also allows me to begin working on the actual script. ("Script" doesn't just mean the words the actors say. It also means staging, light and sound cues, props needed, timing.)
This week the Extras Team will begin meeting to assign actors their parts. The Costume Team is meeting to repair and begin assessing costumes and props. My poor secretary has been working non-stop on inputting volunteer questionnaries into lists so I can distribute them to team leaders. My Lead Team has almost finished recruiting all the team leaders.
It's going to be a full week, but one that God's work is being done, and that's always a good thing.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
The Begging Video
Just finished a 5 minute video of scenes from previous Easter dramas, with reminders for our folks to fill out their Easter drama questionnaires. In other words, a begging video. Will show it in church tomorrow. The music was a quick edit so the choir could hear it....has too many animal sounds in it for the video, but it will be good for the opening song of the first scene. Click here to watch it on YouTube: Easter Drama Questionnaire Reminder
Friday, January 22, 2010
The Logo
I probably agonize as much over the creation of the drama logo each year as anything else. So much depends on the creation of the logo: Choir and Leaders' notebooks, website publicity, Kick Off Meeting packets, tickets, t-shirts, PowerPoint announcements, and sometimes even the theme of the drama gets finalized as I flesh out the logo. Today was Logo Day for me, and that was about all I did in the office and tonight at home. While I enjoy doing graphics and love gazing at the end results, searching for images and ideas and inspiration on the internet can be very tiring for me. So finally by 10:00 tonight I'm pretty pleased with the results. I may end up tweaking it some, because I have to think of how much ink it takes to print it, how it looks in black and white, how a t-shirt can be designed around it, how many different versions I have to create from it, etc., etc., but for now I think I'm happy.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
An Awesome Lead Team
Below is an email I received today from one of my Lead Team members. I have six folks on the Lead Team, and each has four teams they recruit leaders for and encourage and help out. The people on the Lead Team are the BEST. This email will give you an idea of what they do, how they communicate with me and their team leaders. Names have been changed to protect the innocent! :)
____________________________________
Deloy,
I have had the most interesting conversations with Team Leaders as I pick their brains.
T SHIRTS: thanks for forwarding the email from RRRR...we are on target for t shirts!!
DEAF MINISTRY: talked to XXXX and she is a YES. Couple of things as reminders from her:
1. Thursday night seemed to work wonderfully well last year for Interpreter and the deaf community. (with cuts at deaf school, XXXX was somewhat concerned about their attendance...but who knows...let's just give them the date and let God do the rest!)
2. Interpreter needs copy of the script electronically
3. And also a CD of the music ahead of time
4. Remind YYYY to put spotlight on interpreter during dark portions of the performance.
5. All addresses for the deaf community should be in the church database.
GREETERS: talked to AAAA and she and BBBB are both YES. (we may have to send in water bottles with nerve medicine for them!! as I listened to what she dealt with last year.) Points from AAAA:
1. Number of tickets printed per night exceeded seating capacity so people turned away...not good.
2. Programs per night toward end ran short...
3. Was pleased that we will have BIG signs at the doors
4. Noted that there were no problems with the bathrooms malfunctioning last year...but questioned WHO to call in case of a problem this year
5. Had major concern with large groups showing up at the start of the performance or in some cases after the performance had begun expecting to be seated....wanted to make sure tickets mentioned wording and maybe relay that info on to Reservations Team when those groups call for big quantities of tickets. Shall I call AAAA and mention that to her or do you do that?
FOOD SERVICES Matinee: ain't talked to MMMM yet. Will have that info for you tomorrow.
Ok...I'm ready to run interferrence for any issue I need to address. Who does the signs for us? And who in the office is in charge of printing tickets? Wording on tickets and sign need to be similar if not same.
____________________________________
Deloy,
I have had the most interesting conversations with Team Leaders as I pick their brains.
T SHIRTS: thanks for forwarding the email from RRRR...we are on target for t shirts!!
DEAF MINISTRY: talked to XXXX and she is a YES. Couple of things as reminders from her:
1. Thursday night seemed to work wonderfully well last year for Interpreter and the deaf community. (with cuts at deaf school, XXXX was somewhat concerned about their attendance...but who knows...let's just give them the date and let God do the rest!)
2. Interpreter needs copy of the script electronically
3. And also a CD of the music ahead of time
4. Remind YYYY to put spotlight on interpreter during dark portions of the performance.
5. All addresses for the deaf community should be in the church database.
GREETERS: talked to AAAA and she and BBBB are both YES. (we may have to send in water bottles with nerve medicine for them!! as I listened to what she dealt with last year.) Points from AAAA:
1. Number of tickets printed per night exceeded seating capacity so people turned away...not good.
2. Programs per night toward end ran short...
3. Was pleased that we will have BIG signs at the doors
4. Noted that there were no problems with the bathrooms malfunctioning last year...but questioned WHO to call in case of a problem this year
5. Had major concern with large groups showing up at the start of the performance or in some cases after the performance had begun expecting to be seated....wanted to make sure tickets mentioned wording and maybe relay that info on to Reservations Team when those groups call for big quantities of tickets. Shall I call AAAA and mention that to her or do you do that?
FOOD SERVICES Matinee: ain't talked to MMMM yet. Will have that info for you tomorrow.
Ok...I'm ready to run interferrence for any issue I need to address. Who does the signs for us? And who in the office is in charge of printing tickets? Wording on tickets and sign need to be similar if not same.
Wednesday Musings
One of my constant Easter drama struggles is to fight against taking folks' lack of participation personally. "This is not my drama, it's our church's...this is not my drama, it's God's..." becomes a regular mantra I remind myself day in and day out. Not because I desire selfish gain or ownership of the drama, but because I fight insecurities. When Mr. and Mrs. X and their family decide not to participate, the first two things that enter my mind are: a) what did I do wrong? and b) don't they realize how much we need them? how am I going to fill that void? Repeat after me: "This is not my drama, it's our church's...this is not my drama, it's God's..."
I think we've finally got all of the music copied for the choir. For big productions I learned never to give out the music originals. We order the correct amount (or get copyright permission to copy) and then make copies. That way when Joe Daddy takes his music on his visit to Aunt Ethel's and forgets it, we haven't lost our originals. Volunteers will be coming next Wednesday to put the music in notebooks for the Choir.
Less than half of the normal number of people have committed to sing in the Choir this year, so I spent time calling and emailing people that haven't turned in their questionnaires yet. "Oh, it's in my Bible...I forgot to turn it in!" "I just haven't had time!" "I was going to do it Sunday!" Whew...I was worried there for a while. I think we'll have the average participation, although I would sure love to have more than average.
Choir rehearsal was good last night. The new songs seem fairly easy this year, which is a blessing since it seems we're about a week behind in prep. The big question on my mind right now is what to do about that extra Choir rehearsal I have scheduled for this Sunday night at the same time as the Saints vs. Vikings playoff. Part of me puffs up and says I WILL NOT BOW DOWN TO THE SPORTS GOD. The other part of me really really really wants to watch that game. I wonder what part will win out???
I think we've finally got all of the music copied for the choir. For big productions I learned never to give out the music originals. We order the correct amount (or get copyright permission to copy) and then make copies. That way when Joe Daddy takes his music on his visit to Aunt Ethel's and forgets it, we haven't lost our originals. Volunteers will be coming next Wednesday to put the music in notebooks for the Choir.
Less than half of the normal number of people have committed to sing in the Choir this year, so I spent time calling and emailing people that haven't turned in their questionnaires yet. "Oh, it's in my Bible...I forgot to turn it in!" "I just haven't had time!" "I was going to do it Sunday!" Whew...I was worried there for a while. I think we'll have the average participation, although I would sure love to have more than average.
Choir rehearsal was good last night. The new songs seem fairly easy this year, which is a blessing since it seems we're about a week behind in prep. The big question on my mind right now is what to do about that extra Choir rehearsal I have scheduled for this Sunday night at the same time as the Saints vs. Vikings playoff. Part of me puffs up and says I WILL NOT BOW DOWN TO THE SPORTS GOD. The other part of me really really really wants to watch that game. I wonder what part will win out???
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
The Day That Was Tuesday
One of the great things about putting together a Christian dramatic musical is that it automatically draws you to God's Word. Today I spent a lot of time trying to understand what Jesus actually did right after his baptism: did he go immediately into the wilderness for forty days, or did he go start rounding up his disciples? (the way John's gospel is written makes you wonder, but he went into the wilderness first) What order did he call his disciples? (Andrew and Simon first for sure. When the disciples are listed as a whole, Judas is always last, but in the gospel of Matthew it records the incident of Matthew's calling last. Go figure...) Why do those things matter? Because we want to be as accurate as possible in the chronology of the storyline for the Easter drama.
Other drama things accomplished today:
*confirmed a television interview for one of the morning shows
*fixed a glitch on the online questionnaire form (love those Google document forms!)
*met with a team leader about recruiting a new team member
*got an informational letter put together to mail to new church members explaining about the drama and asking for their participation
*worked on the details surrounding one of our new scenes that will require new set construction, decoration, and props
*still need a couple of songs to round out the script, so listened to more new music
*completed my first comprehensive list of scenes and songs and extras needed
Tomorrow is a NO DRAMA day. Has to be dedicated to worship planning.
Other drama things accomplished today:
*confirmed a television interview for one of the morning shows
*fixed a glitch on the online questionnaire form (love those Google document forms!)
*met with a team leader about recruiting a new team member
*got an informational letter put together to mail to new church members explaining about the drama and asking for their participation
*worked on the details surrounding one of our new scenes that will require new set construction, decoration, and props
*still need a couple of songs to round out the script, so listened to more new music
*completed my first comprehensive list of scenes and songs and extras needed
Tomorrow is a NO DRAMA day. Has to be dedicated to worship planning.
The Shepherds
I wonder if we've ever had a shepherd narrator in the Easter drama.
In Luke chapter two I read that after the angel choir scared the pants off of the shepherds, they:
1 - Had a shepherd planning meeting ("Let's go to Bethlehem!").
2 - They hurried off to look for the holy family (who watched their sheep while they were gone?).
3 - They found Mary and Joseph and Jesus (did they have a GPS system back then?).
4 - After they had a spot o' tea with the fam, they "spread the word"...in other words, they told anyone who would listen about Jesus.
5 - They returned to their lonely sheep, "glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen."
I think a shepherd would have a whole lot to say, if you ask me.
In Luke chapter two I read that after the angel choir scared the pants off of the shepherds, they:
1 - Had a shepherd planning meeting ("Let's go to Bethlehem!").
2 - They hurried off to look for the holy family (who watched their sheep while they were gone?).
3 - They found Mary and Joseph and Jesus (did they have a GPS system back then?).
4 - After they had a spot o' tea with the fam, they "spread the word"...in other words, they told anyone who would listen about Jesus.
5 - They returned to their lonely sheep, "glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen."
I think a shepherd would have a whole lot to say, if you ask me.
First Extra Choir Rehearsal
For a Monday night, we had a fair turnout. Went over four new songs and one from last year. Man, the basses "be da men!" Almost all of our new choir members in the last few months have been basses. Good solid singers.
Emailed our conctact at one of the local TV stations to see about getting an interview later in March. They don't really do interviews on their morning shows anymore, but something may work out. I hope so. We always see a big response in ticket reservations after those interviews.
OK. Time to get some rest. During drama time I have to begin taking a sleeping pill every night, otherwise my mind goes bonkers as I lay in bed, thinking about everything and worrying about details. Thank you, Lord, for AMBIEN!
Emailed our conctact at one of the local TV stations to see about getting an interview later in March. They don't really do interviews on their morning shows anymore, but something may work out. I hope so. We always see a big response in ticket reservations after those interviews.
OK. Time to get some rest. During drama time I have to begin taking a sleeping pill every night, otherwise my mind goes bonkers as I lay in bed, thinking about everything and worrying about details. Thank you, Lord, for AMBIEN!
Did I accomplish anything today?
Tonight our first extra Choir rehearsal was scheduled. I needed to get some of our music edited and ready to pass out. When did I start on this? About 3 o'clock in the afternoon. What can I show for the rest of the day? Staff meeting, quiet time, and.... ?? I remember that I ate lunch. I remember being on the phone with one of my team leaders for about an hour. I remember dealing with someone's territorial issues. I remember listening to a couple drama songs over and over and over to determine editing and staging possibilities. I remember walking over to C Building and looking at storage with one of our new team leaders. Wow...I can't afford to have many of these days.
My secretary is putting together the all important questionnaire lists...those tabulations of the questionnaires that people have turned in. This is the time of drama that I begin to get really nervous that enough people will want to participate and will turn in their questionnaires. I. Hate. Begging. People. To. Serve. But we need people, and lots of 'em! Come on, Lord, irritate folks so that they can't be comfortable until they turn in their questionnaires!
My secretary is putting together the all important questionnaire lists...those tabulations of the questionnaires that people have turned in. This is the time of drama that I begin to get really nervous that enough people will want to participate and will turn in their questionnaires. I. Hate. Begging. People. To. Serve. But we need people, and lots of 'em! Come on, Lord, irritate folks so that they can't be comfortable until they turn in their questionnaires!
Beginning nuts and bolts planning
Got the drama calendar planned out, with only a few glitches. Thankfully most of the dates follow a pattern from year to year.
I've changed the leadership a little bit. First, the ministerial staff has all agreed that for the big events our church pulls off, we all will begin being a part of the leadership, instead of just one staff member being totally in charge. I think that will be a blessing for each of us. We all want to help each other out, and do, but this sort of makes it official. So of the 29 Easter drama teams, this year I'll only be the staff leader over 15. The rest have been divied out to the other staff members. We'll still have the same organization of Team - Team Leader - Lead Team member - Staff, but I won't be the sole staff member for each team.
Another change is that I added a 6th Lead Team member to our Lead Team. We've got a great Lead Team, and this new member will be perfect. We met Sunday afternoon, and split up the teams among the Lead Team members. Each Lead Team member will have four teams to recruit leaders for and to encourage and help throughout the process of the drama. They were all gung ho!
I've changed the leadership a little bit. First, the ministerial staff has all agreed that for the big events our church pulls off, we all will begin being a part of the leadership, instead of just one staff member being totally in charge. I think that will be a blessing for each of us. We all want to help each other out, and do, but this sort of makes it official. So of the 29 Easter drama teams, this year I'll only be the staff leader over 15. The rest have been divied out to the other staff members. We'll still have the same organization of Team - Team Leader - Lead Team member - Staff, but I won't be the sole staff member for each team.
Another change is that I added a 6th Lead Team member to our Lead Team. We've got a great Lead Team, and this new member will be perfect. We met Sunday afternoon, and split up the teams among the Lead Team members. Each Lead Team member will have four teams to recruit leaders for and to encourage and help throughout the process of the drama. They were all gung ho!
Monday, January 18, 2010
Still Listening....
The unique thing about taking time off is that I have to do a lot of planning ahead in order to be gone, and then when I get back I'm behind. So the Christmas holidays sort become a rush rush game, trying to get my normal worship planning back in order and at the same time squeeze in extra time to work on the Easter Drama. This year I have the extra task of trying to get our new church website up and running, so I've given up a lot of drama planning time to work on the website. One or both of those responsibilities come home with me most nights nowadays.
I've finally gotten most of the songs picked out...or I should say God showed me most of the songs. A couple will come from our Christmas program, a couple from last year's Easter drama, and the rest will be new to us. There are still a few key songs to find, but I've got enough to get the choir rehearsing. Some of the songs I'll have to do a bit of editing, but that's always a fun challenge. I use the free program Audacity to edit. I'm sure there are other programs out there, but I know this one, and that's half the battle.
The story line seems to be evolving with the song selections. I think God's given me a direction for narrators and their frame of reference to the events going on around them. I wonder if we've ever had a shepherd narrator?
I've finally gotten most of the songs picked out...or I should say God showed me most of the songs. A couple will come from our Christmas program, a couple from last year's Easter drama, and the rest will be new to us. There are still a few key songs to find, but I've got enough to get the choir rehearsing. Some of the songs I'll have to do a bit of editing, but that's always a fun challenge. I use the free program Audacity to edit. I'm sure there are other programs out there, but I know this one, and that's half the battle.
The story line seems to be evolving with the song selections. I think God's given me a direction for narrators and their frame of reference to the events going on around them. I wonder if we've ever had a shepherd narrator?
So Far....
I can never get my mind wrapped around planning the Easter drama until after our Christmas program. My mind can't juggle it all. I guess I'm pretty simple-minded. So I basically have to wait until after our Night of Christmas Praise is over, the sanctuary Christmas decorations are put away, I've had time to buy Christmas gifts, I've caught up on work so that I can enjoy my holiday days off, and then I can pull out the boxes and boxes of music I haven't had time to listen to. That's usually the first step. Listening.
I listen to literally hundreds of songs. I listen for the right kind of music, the right kind of lyrics, singable parts for my choir, the right kind of arrangements. I listen for God to prick my heart and spirit. I listen for a prompting about a storyline for the script. 90% of the songs I listen to hit the trash pile. The other 10% make it through to the first round. About 1% really really catch my attention. Sometimes right off the bat God'll be loud and clear about using a song, even if I don't know how. But I've learned to listen to my Friend...He always knows best.
This year I began my listening journey during my time off traveling with my family to Tulsa to spend New Year's with the in-laws (that's our Christmas with them). The Wife sits in the passenger seat and organizes the music, I handle the CD player, she writes down notes, and the girls fuss because the music's so loud it interupts their movies and DS and iPods. Oh well, family time. A big bulk of my listening time happens upstairs at the in-laws house holed up in a corner somewhere while the rest of the family watches movies or plays games. I know it seems anti-social, but I don't have any other time and it's got to get done.
During this particular Tulsa listening time, I didn't find many new songs. Found a great opener or closing song. Will have to figure that one out. Didn't listen much on the drive back Cajun Country. My ears were tired. I'll pay for that, though.
I listen to literally hundreds of songs. I listen for the right kind of music, the right kind of lyrics, singable parts for my choir, the right kind of arrangements. I listen for God to prick my heart and spirit. I listen for a prompting about a storyline for the script. 90% of the songs I listen to hit the trash pile. The other 10% make it through to the first round. About 1% really really catch my attention. Sometimes right off the bat God'll be loud and clear about using a song, even if I don't know how. But I've learned to listen to my Friend...He always knows best.
This year I began my listening journey during my time off traveling with my family to Tulsa to spend New Year's with the in-laws (that's our Christmas with them). The Wife sits in the passenger seat and organizes the music, I handle the CD player, she writes down notes, and the girls fuss because the music's so loud it interupts their movies and DS and iPods. Oh well, family time. A big bulk of my listening time happens upstairs at the in-laws house holed up in a corner somewhere while the rest of the family watches movies or plays games. I know it seems anti-social, but I don't have any other time and it's got to get done.
During this particular Tulsa listening time, I didn't find many new songs. Found a great opener or closing song. Will have to figure that one out. Didn't listen much on the drive back Cajun Country. My ears were tired. I'll pay for that, though.
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