Singing God in Hard Times: 

International Workshop on Contemporary Church Music

We are living through dark times: Unchecked climate change is accompanied by large scale denial on all levels of society, politics and business; democratic politics is shifting more and more towards authoritarian if not totalitarian tendencies; war is an ever more encroaching reality across the world. It is accompanied by a militarisation of society and politics; a culture of welcome for the stranger is being eroded further and is in danger of being replaced completely by ethno-nationalism, xenophobia and racism; the churches, and Christian faith in general is deemed irrelevant, superfluous; and yet there is a sense of spiritual hunger.

Music, sacred music in particular, through the ages has been a powerful source of spiritual renewal, nourishment and expression. Martin Luther in particular believed that music had a profound spiritual impact and was a powerful tool for worship and teaching. "Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world."

The church music scene of our day and across the globe is very vibrant and a lot of new music and hymns are composed and written. It is important that people of faith get a chance to experience its vibrancy first hand so that our hearts and minds be lifted out of the depressing scenarios of our days and re-energised to continue our mission of proclaiming God’s love in the world in word, music and deed.

On the May Bank Holiday Weekend, 1st to 3th May 2026, St. Finian’s Lutheran Church opens its doors for this exciting and timely workshop exploring the invigorating role of Church music, sacred music facilitated by some outstanding international and local practitioners, musicians, composers, arrangers and musicologists. They come from different corners of the Christian church and have engaged with different musical traditions.

The event is aimed both towards people engaged in the production and performance of church music as well as church goers who wish to nourish their spirits and avail of this opportunity for learning some new and vibrant contemporary church music.

➤ REGISTRATION LINK

The workshop opens with an introductory session in the Lutherhaus on Friday evening. It will be followed by a concert by a number of choirs in St. Finian’s Church. It is open to everyone and free of charge (donations will be welcome). A wine reception will conclude the evening.

On Saturday, workshop participants are invited to engage with new music in a mixture of presentations about different aspects of contemporary church music from the different cultural and spiritual contexts of our speakers with practical immersion in some of the music and song. A final round table will address the question of the future of church music. In the second half of Saturday afternoon participants are invited to jointly prepare music and songs for the Eucharist Service on Sunday morning in St. Finian’s Church.

Sunday, 3rd May this year is the 4th Sunday after Easter which in the Lutheran Tradition is Cantate Sunday where the entire purpose of the service is to highlight the role of music in worship and spirituality. In this spirit the morning Eucharist Service will be festive and celebratory incorporating much of the music learnt during the workshop and sung by participant and other Sunday worshippers attending St. Finian’s.

Cost: 50€ per participant, 20€ for students and unwaged

It includes: finger food reception on Friday, workshop materials, tea and coffee, lunch on Saturday. There are 60 places which will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

➤ REGISTRATION LINK

Program 1st May, Friday: 

• 17.30 Registration and finger food for participants
• 18.00 Words of welcome
• 18.15 Introduction to the workshop Jochen Arnold (D), 
• 19.30 Opening concert with local musicians and choirs 
• 21.00 followed by a glass of wine for all attendees

Program 2nd May, Saturday:

• 9.30 Morning worship
• 10.00 input: Fritz Baltruweit (D), Rev. John Bell (Scot), and Andy Bouman (USA) 
• 12.45 Lunch
• 14.00 Irish Panel: Kerri Houston, Blánaid Murphy, Kiran Young Wimberly
• 16.00 Round Table: Singing God in Hard Times
• 17.00 Preparing for Worship on Sunday morning
• 18.30 Evening worship

Program 3rd May, Cantate Sunday:

• 10.00 Final Rehearsal
• 11.00  Morning Eucharist Service with new music learnt during the workshop, sermon by John Bell (Scot)
• 12.30   After service reception 

We are grateful for the financial support from the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) and the Iona Community's Wild Goose Resource Group: