Parables worship team inspires with songs, stories and drama

GOSHEN, Ind. – The Goshen College student-led worship team, Parables, will use music, dance, storytelling and drama to worship in congregations and other venues throughout the Midwest this year.

The program this year follows the theme of "Wherever you go, there you are. And God is present." It includes dramas based on the Biblical stories of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and the personal stories of the students in the group about a time that they have encountered God. It also includes a range of singing, from a Bobby McFerrin piece to a Renaissance work in Hebrew, and from a South African praise song to a gospel rendition of "Oh Happy Day."

"I hope the audiences can feel a connection with God through the service and they can pick out something that really speaks to them, whether it be a song or a faith story that is similar to an experience they have had," said group member Molly Kellogg. "We hope to get them thinking about things they may not have thought about before and maybe take away a new way to connect with God."

Parables is directed by Professor of Music Debra Brubaker and includes Emily Bowman, a sophomore theater and psychology double major from Millersburg, Ind.; Aaron Kaufmann, a sophomore music major from Tiskilwa, Ill.; Molly Kellogg, a junior music major from Candor, N.Y.; Jay Mast, a sophomore theater and music double major from Goshen; Rachel Nafziger, a sophomore elementary education major from Harrisonburg, Va.; Reuben Sancken, a junior Bible and religion major from Tolono, Ill.; Allen Shenk, a senior music major from Findlay, Ohio; and Ashley Walker, a junior music major from Kirklin, Ind.

The 2009-10 schedule for Parables:

Oct. 17 – 4:30 p.m., Willow Springs Mennonite Church, Tiskilwa, Ill.
Oct. 18 – 9:15 a.m., First Mennonite Church of Champaign-Urbana (Ill.)
Oct. 18 – 6:15 p.m., Kirklin (Ind.) Christian Church
Oct. 20 – Bethany Christian Middle School chapel (not a public presentation)
Oct. 21 – 7 p.m., Goshen area youth groups in Rieth Recital Hall, Goshen College Music Center
Nov. 7 – 10 a.m., Goshen College Family Weekend worship service
Nov. 15 – 10 a.m., LifeSpring Community Church, Goshen
Nov. 22 – 9:30 a.m., Florence (Mich.) Church of the Brethren-Mennonite
Jan. 17 – 9 a.m., Waterford Mennonite Church, Goshen
Jan. 22 – 10 a.m., Chapel, Goshen College
Jan. 24 – 10:30 a.m., Oak Grove Mennonite Church, Smithville, Ohio
Jan. 24 – 7 p.m., Berlin (Ohio) Mennonite Church
Jan. 25 – Central Christian High School chapel
Jan. 28 – Pastor's Dinner, Goshen College
Jan. 31 – 10 a.m., Bonneyville Mennonite Church atCamp Friedenswald
Feb. 7 – 6 p.m., Belmont Neighborhood Fellowship, Elkhart, Ind.
March 7 – 9 a.m., Marion Mennonite Church, Shipshewana, Ind.
March 14 – 9 and 10:45 a.m., Maple City Chapel, Goshen

Performances for the year 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.