In search of peace

New Voices, New Songs: Give Him a Call
Produced by the Ministries with Young People Cluster, Episcopal Church USA, 2001

New Voices, New Songs: Give Him A Call was a project undertaken by the Ministries with Young People Cluster at the national office of the Episcopal Church in the U.S. The Cluster brought together young adults -- ranging in age from 16 to 26 -- to write, record, and perform their own music for 72 hours. The CD that this weekend of intense musical expression produced is an eclectic mix of styles ranging from the spoken word to gospel to R&B to country to pop-like tunes reminiscent of such popular artists as Jewel. While some of the songs could be described as "praise" songs (a style of music that some young adults find more meaningful than traditional hymns), many others sound more like music that might be found on the more successful Christian rock stations.

The songs are described as "reflecting the feelings, experiences, and passion of the composers in their quest for God." And, indeed, the lyrics of these 13 songs do tell a remarkable story of the faith of their authors. For example, Mary Bragg's "See the Rain Fall" chronicles the presence of God in the pain that follows a friend's death:

It's the dawning of a brand new day
It'll be the day you took your last breath.
The future slowly fades away.
Seventeen and you face your own death
Why did this have to happen this way?

I see the rain fall.
I hear your voice call.
I feel your breath on me.
Holy Spirit.

In "What's So Amazing About Grace," Seth Pearson pointedly explores the challenge of maintaining faith when God seems out of reach:

I have goals I never realized
And my innocence compromised.
I have fears that haunt me from my past
My relationships -- they never last
All my dreams never came true
And you know what? I blame You!
So tell me, what's so amazing about grace?

His ending is perhaps too simple -- the singer turns from God only to be immediately reminded of God's presence in his life -- however what is not always so simple in life can become so in song.

Songs such as "Love of God," "Give Him a Call," and "I Want to Walk with You" are best described as praise music -- appropriate for worship in a contemporary setting. The lyrics are simple and express the joy Christians find in their relationships with God:

Love of God, Love of God
You are all we ever wanted
Love of God, Love of God
Fill our hearts on this yo' day.

Overall, this collection of music presents a wide spectrum of the music that young adults find meaningful. Listening closely, it also provides insight into this generation's spiritual quests. First, the CD as a whole clearly communicates the strength of the composers' faith. In each of these songs, a deep trust is being placed in God. A trust that God is present in their lives, knows them personally, and will provide comfort in times of pain, stress and doubt.

Consistently, these songs equate a relationship with God to a sense of peace. This overwhelming need for peace speaks directly to the peace that is so hard to find within the hectic lives of young adults. Like all of the population, young adults have embraced the drive to overcrowd their schedules, leaving very little time for quiet, peace and even themselves. Additionally, this music points to the challenges of being a young adult -- the sense of having no voice, the sense of having more questions than answers, the sense of an unknown future, the desire for guidance on the journey.

New Voices, New Songs: Give Him a Call is available from Episcopal Parish Services (800-903-5544) in sets of five CDs for $15.00. Additionally, the CD liner promises that lyrics, songsheets, MP3 files and additional information is available at <http://www.ecusa.anglican.org/myp/musiclab.htm>.