The Fourth Conference of the NNPM 25th
to 28th July 2002
Around twenty singers and musicians from the
Diocese of Arundel and Brighton joined 260 others at Newman College,
Birmingham for this ecumenical event
entitled “Crossing Borders, Coming Home”. The theme was seeing
the face of Christ in every human being; in the refugee and the
foreigner, in the disadvantaged and in other Christians. These topics
were addressed by the three excellent speakers, Marian Tolley, John Bell
and Lavinia Byrne. The workshops and liturgies were led by
well known composers and liturgists, including Bernadette Farrell, Paul
Inwood, Marty Haugen and Gary O’Neill; also some younger ones such as
Chris O’Hara and Jo Boyce and Mike Stanley.
On the Saturday evening
there was a concert in aid of "Restore", a Birmingham charity which
supports and befriends refugees and asylum seekers in the city. The
concert included a performance of “Crossing Borders, Coming Home”
directed by Jaime Cortez from Arizona, who was himself once a refugee to
the United States from El Salvador, and who had composed of much of the
exciting music.
This year children and young people were especially
invited to come so that they could take part as readers, musicians and
performers. The only sadness was that, at the Eucharist on Sunday
morning, 25% of those present who were not Catholic had to leave after
the Liturgy of the Word to celebrate the Anglican liturgy of the
Eucharist in another place. That apart, the Weekend had been a
stimulating, joyful and encouraging experience, enjoyed by all who
attended. It
is hoped that even more of our parish musicians will be able to go the
next Conference in July 2004, both to meet the composers whose music we
sing and to sing, play and pray with musicians from all over the
country.
Bridget Eacott
Margaret Blaney of the NNPM has given us
permission to publish the following links to her photos taken at the conference.
[Ed.]
Conference
2002 General
Conference
workshops and sessions
Conference
breaks and meals
