From The Desk of Deacon Judy

The Joy of Summertime Outdoor Music

What is it about summertime outdoor music that touches my heart?

Thursday evening, my husband and I joined Auburn locals on the front lawn of St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church facing the front porch to listen to Brett McDaniel strum his acoustic guitar and sing John Prine tunes and some of his own compositions. For an hour, we were transported to such a comfortable place of joy and community.

The experience made us reminisce about how we relished concerts at the Chastain Park Amphitheatre when we lived in Atlanta. Occasionally, we were especially lucky to be with friends who had a table right under the stage, with a candlelight dinner, losing ourselves in the blues of BB King or marveling at Natalie Cole as she sang virtually with her father, Nat King Cole.

When we lived near my husband’s hometown of Columbiana, summertime Friday nights of Music on Main Street brought the community together to enjoy Alabama musicians and fellowship with old and new friends.

Alex City Jazz Fest is next weekend and the Lake Martin AMP has music scheduled throughout the summer. St. Dunstan’s will host a variety of musical talent, for free, in June and July on Thursdays (5:30-6:30pm, except July 4).

And let’s not forget the joy of our summertime outdoor worship at Church in the Pines. In addition to our weekly 9am services at St. James, we offer noon services on the second and fourth Sunday in June, July, and August at Church in the Pines, with our very own St. James Gang Band.

Find time to enjoy this summertime outdoor music. It may just soothe your soul.

Pentecost Blessings,

Judy Q+