Cathedral Choristers

by Debbie Garven, Music Associate

The graded choral program at the Cathedral is what we call “Choristers”, but what even IS a chorister? 

Technically, a chorister is anyone who sings in a choir. Many Chorister programs in cathedrals around the world are made up of singers from the school on campus or in the nearby community. Most of the choristers at St. Peter's are parishioners of the Cathedral but some participate from other churches because of the unique training and opportunity it offers.

Our Chorister program is actually made up of children and youth from 5 years of age all the way through high school. The youngest choristers spend time rehearsing and learning about being part of a choir team and learning about music and worship. They sing several times throughout the year for Evensong.

The senior-most choristers sing about once a month at Choral Evensong on Sunday evenings. Singing in this program is an exceptional opportunity for musical growth in a healthy Christian environment as well as spiritual encouragement through leading worship. I do encourage you to attend the next Chorister lead Choral Evensong (you should attend Evensong regularly anyway as it is a wonderful and different service from the morning).

In fact, a small ensemble of our choristers will be leading this evening's Choral Evensong at 5:00pm.

As the writer of Hebrews wrote: "Let us not give up meeting together and encouraging one another," especially our younger brothers and sisters, in the corporate worship of our Lord Jesus Christ.

If you have an interest in your child or grandchild being a part of our Chorister Program, please contact Debbie Garven at Debbie@StPetersFL.com. Rehearsals are on Wednesdays at 4:00pm for grades K-4th and at 5:00pm for 5th-12th grades, beginning September 8.

1 of 168

by Alice Sanderson, Family Ministries Program Coordinator

There are 168 hours in a week. Though some weeks it may feel like more!  Breaking this down, we spend 56 hours (about two and a half days) sleeping which leaves us with 112 hours (about four and a half days) for everything else. How do we best use the time we have been given? If only one or two of those hours are spent physically in the church, the rest of the time is going to be influenced by teachers, coaches, grandparents, parents, friends, and, of course, the culture.  

Amy Stewart and Ellen LaBarre are working to make every minute in Children’s Chapel and Sunday School count. David Marten and Tayla Calhoun are striving to make sure the time our youth are spending in Sunday School and Engage Groups are impacting their lives for Jesus. The rest of the week falls on us as parents, grandparents, godparents, and mentors to make sure everyone who crosses our path is being led to faith in Christ. Ultimately, a walk with Christ is what is most important when our time runs out so let’s make the work we do now lay a rock-solid foundation. 

In Deuteronomy 6:5-6, God makes it clear how He intends discipleship to work, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." His command was for parents to disciple their children at home then and this command has not changed.  

However, some parents are unable to be the spiritual teachers of their children. We see examples in scripture where God used others to disciple and teach His truths. The Bible tells us that Esther was raised by her cousin, Mordecai, after the death of her parents (Esther 2:5-11). Timothy’s father was not a believer, but his mother and grandmother were, and they brought Timothy up in their faith. Later Paul took him under his wing and called him his “true child in the faith” and “beloved child” (1 Tim. 1:2; 2 Tim. 1:2). These are just a few examples of Christians called to “raise” others in the faith as spiritual daughters and sons. We are still called to do this today. 

As parents and spiritual parents to the precious young people in our care, we need to make our time count for Christ. How are we living out our Christian lives in front of those we are spiritually responsible for? Imagine the impact we could make if we commit to model a life of prayer and scripture reading at home and to raise each other up by actively taking part in the life of the church. I always tell parents that more is caught than taught and it is the same with those we are spiritually parenting as well. Our lives should reflect the life of Christ in our church, our workplace, our schools, and especially in our homes so that Jesus is caught from what we do and not just what we say. 

HOW YOU CAN HELP!  As our Children, Youth and Family Ministries begin the new school year, please consider assisting our leaders and teachers in Children’s Chapel, Sunday School, Engage Groups, and Wednesday Night Play & Pray. You can also get involved in the GRANDparents of St. Peter’s and Mom to Mom Ministries. Email Alice (Alice@StPetersFL.com), Amy (AmyS@StPetersFL.com) or David (David@StPetersFL.com) to see how you can be a part of these exciting ministries.