Today!

Hello everyone,

I won't be able to come today to skating or caroling, unfortunately. I have to go to a wedding for some people I know at 2:00. I'll see ya'll later, and have fun with caroling!

Daniel

Re: Tomorrah

Hey Ya'll,

 

This is just a confirmation that we DO have practice today from 2-4 PM in the activity center, since I usually send out an e-mail anouncing it.

 

Cheers!

 

Jason

----- Original Message -----

From: Daniel Miller

To: Ned Anderson ; Colin Anderson ; Dallas MK Band Blog Posting ; Randi Gordon ; Jephthah Goring ; Michael Hasty ; Nathan Lee ; Tess Lemley ; Elizabeth Maclean ; Jason Martin ; Bobby Relyea ; Jole Roberts ; Emmanuel Zeli

Sent: Friday, December 07, 2007 11:16 PM

Subject: Tomorrah

Hey ya'll,

I won't be able to come to practice tomorrow. I'm going to some Eagle Scout thing for Jonathan Spielmann. I'll miss coming!

Oh, and thanks everyone for your prayers! I went downhill after that e-mail, then, for various reasons spiked back up. Except that spike is really blunt... because I've been here for a while. I expect it will stay that way. I may be obnoxiously happy now, but I'd say that's better than depressed.

Therefore, if I take a break, it won't be for the reason that I'm tired and depressed. It will be because I think someone else should try leading. But I'm still asking God to see if that's what he would like.

Daniel

Tomorrah

Hey ya'll,

I won't be able to come to practice tomorrow. I'm going to some Eagle Scout thing for Jonathan Spielmann. I'll miss coming!

Oh, and thanks everyone for your prayers! I went downhill after that e-mail, then, for various reasons spiked back up. Except that spike is really blunt... because I've been here for a while. I expect it will stay that way. I may be obnoxiously happy now, but I'd say that's better than depressed.

Therefore, if I take a break, it won't be for the reason that I'm tired and depressed. It will be because I think someone else should try leading. But I'm still asking God to see if that's what he would like.

Daniel

A Break...

Hello peoples,

I understand we're not leading worship for a week or two, but I'm thinking about taking a break. I really need to refresh my life/my walk with God. There's a lot of stuff (direction, guidance, etc.) I need to be praying for. I've had a rough week too, and I'm getting a little burned out.

I may or may not take a break. I can't make that decision right now based on where I'm at. I expect I'll know whether I'll take one or not by Saturday (if I'm still this tired by then, it's definitely more than just lack of sleep). But I did want to warn everyone, so if I do, we can be prepared.

Regardless, I need prayer this week. That would help immensely.

Have a great day!

Daniel

Sorry, excuse my harshness, please =)

I re-read my message a few minutes ago and I would burst out in tears if I got that. Sorry guys. I didn't mean it to sound so harsh. However, it's stuff we need to work on! I've told a few people already, but I want to do more than just play music together. We have a small group, and I'd like to use that to help each other grow as much as possible with God. And I'd like to start communicating more and responsibilities to be taken more. That's all. No big, bad, scary Daniel, just words that sound mean when they aren't meant to be.

Thanks, and God bless ya'll!

Daniel

My friends, we have work to do...

Hey!

I suppose if you're reading this, you've seen Randi's message (if not, take a look at it). I do confess I'm frustrated with how this has worked out, and that includes my poor performance. But I think we can help Randi to fix this problem. That means we have work to do, and responsibilities to carry out.

What I've sent to Randi as a default time for the bake sale is this: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM on Monday, November 19th. If anyone has any problems with this, please respond as soon as possible, because we need to get an e-mail to Bob and Mr. Vose (the center director) as soon as possible. That means, preferably, today (November 7th) or tomorrow. We have less than two weeks to get this thing planned and sent out, and we need to have it ready very quickly.

If stuff isn't planned, we will probably have to postpone it. We would rather not do that.
---
This seems to be a common trend in the past few months: apathy. Nobody cares enough to do what we're talking about. We keep saying "Contact us if you can't come," and "We all have responsibilities." Etc. I'm disappointed at the lack of enthusiasm, and I don't know if it's because school is rough, or life is rough, or both. Listen: we're here as a band, and that means we need to work together. That means we need to talk to each other, communicate, and perform our respective responsibilities. That means we need to set up and take stuff down (if you like to talk with your friends, you can have them follow you while you take stuff down).

If you're having a rough day/week/month, I'm absolutely fine with giving you a break for even a few weeks. If you have homework, tell us and I'll let you do your homework. I understand life gets in the way sometimes, and some things are more important than the band. Just tell me or Jason, or both, and we'll pray for you. Or have someone pray for you. Or have the whole band pray for you. This involves a certain level of vulnerability. And sure, some things should only be girl to girl and guy to guy, but we need to be able to help each other with a great majority of junk in our lives.

That's the other part of being in a band: we're friends. We need to look out for each other. That involves both helping each other and talking to each other, but also communicating and accepting responsibilities. If you don't think you can do that, then I'm going to ask you to take a break from the band and work on your walk with God (which is so much more important than the band). This stuff is necessary if this band is going to work.

Worship is a lifestyle, not just music we play. If we're good with the music-worship, but are apathetic and irresponsible, we're not worshiping God with our lives. We can read Bible verses in worship, but if we are focused on problems, stresses, and messed up relationships instead of God we're not really worshiping. We lead people in worship, therefore we should be leaders and good examples. Nobody's perfect, and I don't ever expect you to be perfect--that's not what I'm saying at all. Nor am I saying have a stress-free life. I'm saying we can work with each other and help each other out.

One more thing: I'm included in all this. I've become more aware of it recently, though, and I know it needs to change. It might take a little while, but I believe we can grow. So think about this, pray about it, and we'll talk about it Saturday.

God bless,

Daniel

Re: Worship Night

It sounds great, except I'm not sure very late would be a good idea. We'd have to be careful of curfew and all that. We could easily do something like this from early afternoon (12:30, 1:00) to the evening (7:00, 9:00, etc.) and still get the same amount of stuff accomplished, minus all the sleepy people.

Besides that, I think it would be a really good idea.

And definitely prayer and planning. We'll have to talk about it with Jason.

Daniel

----- Original Message ----
From: N Anderson <jazzbass31@gmail.com>
To: Daniel Miller <daniel@wfhproductions.com>; Emmanuel <emmanuelzeli@yahoo.com>; Jephthah <therealjephthah@yahoo.com>; Randi <livin_4_christ_09@yahoo.com>; Tess <blondebeleever@yahoo.com>
Sent: Monday, November 5, 2007 10:43:41 PM
Subject: Worship Night

I have an idea for a more widespread worship/outreach night but it would take a lot of prayer and planning as well as many oks from Bob and other leaders so it probably wouldn't happen for a while, like spring break.

I know there are people within the band and some mk members who aren't in the band (Elly and Nathan come to mind) that are involved in worship groups out side of mk and I think it would be cool to do a long night (like 6 or 7 to midnight or 9:00 pm to 6:00 am) of worship and prayer with maybe one or two speakers as an kind of city wide outreach event.  we would have multiple band each one playing a set or two and we'd need room to gather in (Dunc First Baptist, maybe) or possibly two rooms, one for worship, one for prayer.

think about it, pray about it and please send me feedback-questions, comments, suggestions, etc.
I probably won't be there saturday, but if you guys like we can talk with jason about it either monday or next saturday (unless you want to say something to him right away).

for the glory of God,

Ned

Ideas...

Well, actually only one idea at the moment, and if I think of more, all will be good. If I don't, all will still be good.

While taking the worship leading class at my school in the Philippines (which rocked), we grew instrumentally, vocally, and even in terms of picking songs. We were cruising. We thought.

One week the Old Testament teacher came up to us. "You guys are doing great, but you're missing something. The Word of God. It brings worship to life."

Chastened, and a little annoyed, we decided to take what she said and try it. Lo and behold, when we stuck one Bible verse in there, it felt like God used it to breathe life into worship. Finally, it wasn't us doing an amazing job: it was God. We were merely His tools.

The lesson I learned here, and one I would like to start back up again, is read Scripture during worship. Granted, it's not a magic formula, and we can still ruin it if we do it for our benefit. But I think it's a good idea, and I believe it's even several places in the Bible. If not, I know it was a standard thing for the Israelites to do; to sing songs, and read Scripture, and sing more songs.

So... for those of you who still read this... happy birthday! And I'd like to talk about this Saturday. For those of you who don't... it doesn't really matter... because you don't read this...

But here it is in its most coherent form, as sometimes I have a hard time explaining things verbally, lol.

Musings about Online collaboration

Up to this point I have been posting to this blog as "Band Leader". From now on I'm going to be posting as "Jason". Just an FYI

I believe I've told most of the Worship band that our plan is to use various google online tools for collaboration and better communication/organization.

Google Account/ Google Docs

If you're still perhaps a little confused when I mention our "google account" or "Google Docs", well you definitely need to watch the following Youtube videos. The first one describes exactly what Google documents does and is for. The second one describes how to get yourself a google account. (Especially if you're the type that needs your hand held when doing anything new. :))

1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRqUE6IHTEA

2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjTQt3Th85U

Current Band Members have received in the last several weeks in their e-mail addresses an invitation I sent inviting them to to contribute to this blog. Some of you have already done so. If you respond to the invitation , you will be directed to get a google account so that you can contribute. Video # 2 is about filling out the registration page.

The first five minutes of the following video illustrates how Google Calendar can be used on a team. (The video puts the emphasis on using it to market a company event, but it's a good overview for any type of team or group that wants to use google calendar.

3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syafzhi7f24

Some of this may be new and may take some time to familiarize yourself with. I'm confident that ya'll are intelligent enough to figure it out though :) Remember, learning takes effort. (See the quote below).

""Vanity inclines us to find faults any where rather than in ourselves.
He that reads and grows no wiser seldom suspects his own deficiency;
but complains of hard words and obscure sentences,
and asks why books are written which cannot be understood."
-Samuel Johnson

Stay tuned in the coming weeks for more musings about online collaboration!

2007-09-28 MK Worship Band Practice

Hi Band,

 

As usual we will be having practice tommorow from 2-4 PM in the AC on center.

 

The J.V. Band (and all new members) will be watching 1 or 2 Episodes  of the Seminar for the Performing Artist videos by Tom Jackson that we (Varisty Band) have already watched.

 

This will give the varisty band to do some planning for some of our upcoming worship nights, fundraisers, etc.

 

Here's what I'm thinking the various positions could try and accomplish tommorow.

 

Calendar Coordinator/Set Planner

-Orientation to the Google Calendar (This can be used to plan our calendar ahead, with the benefit that we can all have access to it. I can give the orientation.

-November 26th possible date for Monday night whee Worship band leads/plans the entire night.

- Discuss Worship plan for upcoming evangelistic night

- Determine set plan for Monday.

 

Equipment Manager

- Connect with Fundraiser about what equipment is needed, make a list together, set deadline to submit to Bob for Apporval.

- Work on Equipment Guidelines. (This is especially needful for training and equiping the J.V Band members)

- Work on "Pit-Stop" setup/tear down plan.

- Begin investigating the possibility of using both sound systems

- Discuss whether current stage arrangement needs to be modified.

 

Fundraiser

- Lead the discussion about planning for an upcoming fundraiser.

- Work with Set planner/ Calendar Coordinator on set plan for Monday

 

Technical Director

-Discuss maintenance of the e-mail distribution list with Jason.

-Investigate using the Google e-mail address (DallasMkBand@gmail.com) for sending out updates.

- Discuss with Jason plan for weekly anouncements.

-Discuss Blog with Jason. (Topics to cover RSS Feeds, Links band members social networking site, blog layout, further discussion on content.)

- Discuss potential new strategy for powerpoints (Use google documents instead of powerpoint?)

- Discuss Potential use for the Thumb Drive, (Transporting Powerpoints, running Open Office from Thumb drive for creating powerpoints thereby ensuring consistency in layout, file types, etc)

 

Secretary

- After discussions above, get reports from other band members, in order to concisely summarize decisions/plans that have been made. (For later posting a summary to the blog.)

- Begin Brainstorming a procedure/standards for adding new music to the repoitoire ( i.e.approval by the Music Manager, minimum # of copies, Minimum font size, etc.)

 

Questions or comments let know,

 

Jason

 

We can do Powerpoints on the Google Docs site.

FYI Gang,

I've been uploading some of our old lyric powerpoints from my computer to our google documents site (docs.google.com) and I'm pleased to say they seem to be uploading and retaining the format and backgrounds and everything.

I made a new folder called Powerpoint where I'm putting them all.

It looks like we'll even be able to view the slideshows from the website itself.

Ok so I'm a geek, but this is exciting...!

Summary of Practice on Sep. 8, 2007

Below are the excellent notes recorded by our Band secretary, Jephthah

---

 

Attendance: Jason, Ned, Collin, Daniel, Randi, Emmanuel, myself (Jephthah)
Guest: Luke MacLean

 

Shortly after 2:00 we watched the video clips Mark MacLean recorded of our practice at Sky Ranch. We then discussed band jobs, originally creating six. After brainstorming and choosing tasks assigned to each job, we did away with the sixth job, which had only one task. This task, creating PowerPoints, was consolidated into the secretarial position.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Technical Director- Daniel

Maintains the website/blog and Google documents
Determines PowerPoint operator
Working with soundman, connects audio/video equipment
Is contacted when speaker(/guest) has audio or video needs
Receives emails to be sent and blogs to be posted

The Technical Director will send all band emails. Jason will "report" to Daniel with information regarding band practice and Monday nights.


Equipment Manager- Ned

Organizes equipment storage
Plots stage (band member, equipment places)
Maintains equipment (repairing, determining if new equipment is needed)
Organizes setting up and tearing down of equipment


Treasurer- Randi

Coordinates with Bob for funds
Organizes fundraisers (meets with Calendar Coordinator)
Purchases equipment (meets with Equipment Manager)
(includes researching prices)
Organizes and tracks funds (keeps records of purchases and funds received)


Calendar Coordinator- Tess?

Plans music sets
Chooses worship themes and special events
Works with:
 leaders (coordinate with speakers and make announcements)
 Treasurer (schedules fundraisers)
 Rest of band (notifies regarding themes, special events)

The Calendar Coordinator needs every band member's email address (even though emails are first sent to Daniel?) and perhaps everyone's phone number.


Secretary- myself (Jephthah)

Responsible for:
 PowerPoints (may receive help from others)
 Web Pages (sends emails, blogs to Technical Director)
 Organizing music
Keeps records of meetings


These positions are flexible, and more may be created as the need arises. Not everyone will have a job assigned to them; some tasks may be shared, and some positions may be jointly run.
Tess needs to decide whether she will be the Calendar Coordinator. If not, someone else who did not attend this practice may want to volunteer.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After assigning jobs, we discussed the tryouts, which are approaching Monday. Jason suggested that if a junior high band was formed, it could meet in another room or even another home each Saturday. However, so far no one has volunteered to lead them in separate practice. (another position?) The simultaneous use of the MK band soundboard and the Activity Center soundboard was also considered.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is a summary of the September 8 MK band practice, held at Jason's house. Please send comments and/or questions to Daniel, the Technical Director.

                                                    Jephthah Goring, Secretary

It's so Complicating!!!!!!!!!

Oh. i get it now. ok, well that was.....hard. yeah. i agree.....COLOR is AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I take it i've been volenteered to play color. OKAY!! You don't have to ask me twice, color makes me happy.

I'm really sleepy.....and i have allusions to look up for English.
See you all at practice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RandiKandi

Good Question: What are we going to do with this blog?

I don't have a real specific plan for this blog, but I have all sorts of ideas of how it could be used. Keep in mind we don't HAVE to do any of these.

1. We could keep a public record of all the songs that we sing every week. We could invite people from the MK Group to give feedback in the comments section. Others from the MK Group might have suggestions for songs they want to sing, they might have feed back on a certain worship set from a recent Monday night.

2. We could record our worship set (or even our practice) each week using my computer and then post it as a recordng. Well actually the blogger site won't host the media files, but there is a website called www.archive.org that will allow you to host media files free, so we could put the mp3's on there and link to them on this blog.

3. If we wanted to rope some other MK's in the MK Group into helping us with setup and tear down (the part of our practice that is our least favorite) , we could have setup and teardown down instructions posted on the blog and invite people to come and help and we could even give them a title, like "equipment engineer" or something. (they would feel involved and we wouldn't have as much work to do! :))

4. I know some of us have personal blogs/xanga/myspace/facebook pages. We could list our personal blogs here as well, which would give us an opportunity to read about each others lives and maybe get to know each other better outside of the band context.

Here's some other blogs that have to do with Worship/Worship Leading. We could get ideas from stuff other people have done.

1. http://www.theworshipblog.com/
2. http://ucworship.wordpress.com/
3. http://www.lfmchurch.org/worship-blog/

So those are just some ideas, let me know what ya'll think.

Soundman checking in!

Hey! I found the post button!
I dunno what we're really going to do with this. But we could post things we need and such.

I Post! I Post!

Alright... so... this isn't really complicated... lucky for me!

What are we looking for as far as posts? Song suggestions? Lyrics to those songs? Suggestions technically and/or spiritually? A "This is my day and this is what I got out of it as far as worship" post? Or anything else?

Or all of it?

Anyway, I mostly did this so I could figure all this happiness out.

Is there any way to change the theme/colors? Black is cool and all, but it's kinda dark... and if there was a way to change it, we could let some of the girls at it.

Daniel

Worship Band blog

So we have a blog now! Let me encourage everyone to experiment with using this blog so that we can communicate more effectively. At the moment the blog is set so that it's publicaly viewable, so don't post anything you wouldn't want the whole world to be able to see! We can change this later if we only want the blog to be viewable by band members.

So go ahead and try posting and play around a little bit with the blog and see what you think.

Cheers!