Liturgy Day History

Liturgy Day started in 2010 with an ecumenical concert of Liturgical and Classical Music on May 22nd—the Vigil of Pentecost. Jerry Jensen gathered musicians from seven local Christian churches to join in the universal language of music on the eve of that day in Jerusalem when “everyone heard them speak their own language.” (Acts 2:6)

In 2011, we had the first Liturgy Day with Marty Haugen and Fr. Michael Joncas. Marty and Fr. Mike are composers who have their music published in the hymnals of many Christian denominations.

The workshop topics were New Music for Lent and Eastertide, Music and the Triduum (Holy Thursday to Easter), and Music and the New Roman Missal Texts. Over 150 music directors and musicians attended the workshop from Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, and UCC churches. Workshop evaluations were 99% “all fives” (ranking on a 1 – 5 scale).

Over 400 people attended the evening concert. Local musicians from eight churches joined Marty and Fr. Mike for a fantastic concert. Marty commented, “Michael and I do this all over the world, and almost never do we work with musicians as talented as these."

Who We Are:

The Planning Committee consists of volunteers who represent all walks-of-life in the Brainerd Lakes area. The main organizing body is Cedarbrook Center, a 501(c) (3) non-profit, charitable organization. Local churches participate as sponsors and community businesses participate as supporters.

Our budget is met by donations from sponsors, business and individual donors, advertisers, and minimal fees for concert tickets and workshop attendance.

Liturgy Day 2012:

Marty Haugen and Fr. Mike Joncas are returning for 2012. The Saturday workshop will be Psalms in Christian Liturgy. We expect over 200 participants.

The Friday evening concert (2/17/12)  will be music of the composers. Again the Lakes Area Ecumenical Chorus and Orchestra (yes, we now have named the group) will join Marty & Fr. Mike. New this year will be pieces with a Mass Choir (mass, as in large group...not Mass, as in Catholic liturgy) with members from many area churches – see the “Mass Choir” flyer.