Parables worship team inspires with songs, stories and drama

GOSHEN, Ind. – The Goshen College student-led worship team, Parables, will use music, personal stories and original drama to worship in congregations and other venues over the next year.

The program for 2010-11 follows the theme of "Meeting Christ on the Journey." It includes an original drama based on the Emmaus Road biblical story and a range of singing, including a piece composed by group member Patrick Ressler and a song with lyrics written by 2002 Goshen College alumnus Adam Tice.

"It's a fun program that is full of energy, laughter, worship and powerful messages," said group member Emily Trapp. "What we hope to challenge our audiences with is the idea of experiencing God along the journey of our lives. God is with us even in the times of struggle, hurt or desire for more. Sometimes, God is in something much simpler than we expected."

Parables is directed by Professor of Music Debra Brubaker and includes Emily Hedrick, a sophomore music education major from Telford, Pa.; Brook Hostetter, a sophomore music education major from Harrisonburg, Va.; Grant Miller, a sophomore peace, justice and conflict studies and history double major from Danvers, Ill.; Patrick Ressler, a senior music education major from Lititz, Pa.; Emily Trapp, a sophomore music and public relations double major from Canby, Ore.; Ashley Walker, a senior music education major from Kirklin, Ind.; and Justin Yoder, a sophomore music major from Perkasie, Pa.

2010-11 schedule for Parables:
Sept. 26 – 10:30 a.m., Silverwood Mennonite Church, Goshen, Ind.
Oct. 2 – 8 a.m., Goshen College Alumni Breakfast
Oct. 3 – 9:30 a.m., Benton Mennonite Church, Goshen, Ind.
Oct. 10 – 10 a.m., Topeka Mennonite Church, Topeka, Ind.
Oct. 16-20, Fall break tour to Iowa
Oct. 20 – 7 p.m., Goshen area youth groups in Rieth Recital Hall, Goshen College Music Center
Nov. 14 – 9 a.m., YLead worship service, Goshen College
Nov. 21 – 9:30 a.m., North Main Street Mennonite Church, Nappanee, Ind.
Jan. 16 – 9:30 a.m., Holdeman Mennonite Church, Wakarusa, Ind.
Jan. 23 – 10 a.m., Countryside Christian Fellowship, Lebanon, Ind.
Jan. 23 – 6 p.m., Emmaus Road Fellowship, Berne, Ind.
Jan. 30 – 11 a.m., St. Mark's United Methodist, Goshen
Jan. 30 – 6:30 p.m., First United Church of Christ, Bremen, Ind.
Feb. 13 – 8:25 and 10:25 a.m., First United Methodist Church of Mishawaka
March 13 – 9:25 a.m., Goshen City Church of the Brethren
March 20 – 10 a.m., Clinton Brick Mennonite Church, Goshen
March 20 – 6:30 p.m., Waterford Crossing, Goshen
March 25 – 10 a.m., Goshen College Chapel

Performance dates are still being confirmed and more will be added throughout the year. For more information about Parables and scheduling the group, contact Bethany Swope at (574) 535-7119 or e-mail churchrelations@goshen.edu.

Editors: For more information about this release, to arrange an interview or request a photo, contact Goshen College News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college's Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron's Best Buys in Education, "Colleges of Distinction," "Making a Difference College Guide" and U.S. News & World Report's "America's Best Colleges" edition, which named Goshen a "least debt college." Visit www.goshen.edu.