Today marks the ten-year service anniversary for our Minister of Worship, Julie Benson. As we look back over those ten years of faithful service, we give thanks!

Julie was raised in her mother’s MCC in St. Louis, then moved to Indianapolis in 1995 to study music at Butler University. She transferred her membership here and, in 1997, became our volunteer Associate Minister of Music, serving under Music Minister Doug Sechman. When Doug passed away in 1998, Julie stepped into his position, which initially paid for ten hours per week, then twenty, until Julie became our full-time Minister of Worship in 2005.

During her tenure, Julie has built our choir from a ragtag band of a few to two full choirs — Infusion and InSpirit – with over 30 members. This numerical growth has been matched by growth in performance quality. We who have been around for a while have watched the choir grow from singing simple pieces to mastering sophisticated works. In addition to presenting in our worship services, the choir also presents stunning Christmas and Good Friday specials each year. They have traveled to sing in a dozen other churches across six states, and performed the National Anthem at a July Fever game.

Julie has helped us grow the power of our congregational worship, assembling a magnificent team of musicians, including Jason Saylor, Galen Moore, Jim Nelms, Diana Lowhorn, Laura Inniger, Julie Lang, and Mike Ward. Under her leadership, we have evolved from a congregation that sang only traditional hymns to a place where we celebrate the full range of Christian music—from classical to contemporary.

Julie has served at District Conferences as a workshop presenter, special musician, and worship leader; consulted with other MCC pastors and music leaders; led several local Soulforce Actions; and—in perhaps her most stunning accomplishment—patiently coached Pastor Jeff for his Sonny Bono performance in our last talent show. Some would say she is a saint.

Child Of God
Today marks the world premiere of a piece of choral music composed specifically for our congregation that will be published nationwide later this year. Child of God was written by Mark Hayes, a Dove Award-winning concert pianist, composer and arranger with over 600 published works to his credit.

The title, Child of God, was developed after a long conversation Julie had with Mark in which she commented, “For many years I have rejected traditional labels because I think we are hung up on them. I prefer the label ‘Child of God’, because all that really matters is that we are all children of God!” This became the framework for the piece.

The choirs will share this piece during their travel to MCC Detroit in October. Once the song is published, a dedication line will be included on every copy that reads: For Julie Benson, Minister of Worship, in celebration of 10 years of faithful ministry to God and the congregation of Jesus Metropolitan Community Church, Indianapolis, Indiana.

The celebration will continue throughout the fall with InSpirit performing music solely composed or arranged by Mark Hayes.

For all of this and more, we pause to say a word of deepest thanks!

This entry was posted on Sunday, September 9th, 2007 at 11:20 am and is filed under Church News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.