Chicago Area Worship Leader's Get Together

[Forensicguy]

Well, this one might be way too early, but it's been suggested that perhaps we can get a small group of Chicago area worship leaders together to work together to learn some new P&W songs.

Personally, I know our church needs this help (in finding and learning new P&W songs) and was wondering if any other AGF worship leaders in the Chicago area might also want to gather to do this.

If there is interest, I could see if my church could host it. We are located in Des Plaines, IL... not far from the intersection of Ballard and Potter.

Post here if you have an interest and also, suggest a possible date to do it.

Most likely Saturday is the best day of the week since many of us work and of course, Sunday is tied up for obvious reasons! :) Since we just had a Chicago get together this past Saturday, I think perhaps late summer or early fall is a good time frame unless everyone is so excited by this that we should hold it sooner.

To make it easier, I'd suggest we do this event as a "Pot-Luck" dinner event. That means everyone who attends brings a dish worthy of dinner (not just chips... a "real" dish like Chicken, Pasta etc....) :) Post here what you plan to bring so we don't end up with duplicates!

What else to bring:

Guitars, music stands, lyrics with chords...

Our church has an overhead projector (not a laptop and projector) so it handles transparencies. If you have transparencies you can bring, do that! If you just have songs printed out, we can make copies on our church copier or even make a transparency out of your printed page.

We have a piano at church too... so if someone plays keyboards, they can join in. But we only have one piano...

Who's up for this?

Keep in mind, the focus of this get together is to share and learn Praise and Worship songs. Just want to be clear about that.

[mcphersonnut]

WOW that sounds like a good idea maybe i can do the same in my area ??

[Forensicguy]

WOW that sounds like a good idea maybe i can do the same in my area ??

Why not?

Although not all AGF members can join in on something like this, there are a number of our members who are active in their churches and could probably benefit from this type of gathering. We can still hold our "regular" local AGF get togethers for the general membership. But this one has a more focused purpose and serves a specific need.

I can't take credit for this idea though... astrummer gets credit for thinking of it. He brought it to my attention... so I'm just acting on it. ;)

[Marshall]

This might be a little over the top.

And it's coming up VERY SOON.

But, the P&W leaders at our church (Southminster in AH) send 2 or 3 people every year to the Willow Creek Arts Conference. (It's June 11-13). It's a pretty high powered event, and our participants always come back charged up and filled with wonderful ideas.

(Me ? I've never gone. I just play what they put in front of me). :D

[astrummer]

This might be a little over the top.

And it's coming up VERY SOON.

But, the P&W leaders at our church (Southminster in AH) send 2 or 3 people every year to the Willow Creek Arts Conference. (It's June 11-13). It's a pretty high powered event, and our participants always come back charged up and filled with wonderful ideas.

(Me ? I've never gone. I just play what they put in front of me). :D

Do people actually circle up and play songs at these larger events? I was under the impression that such gatherings aren't really designed for that type of interaction. That's part of why I was hoping that AGF forumites might gather in what might be a more individually engaging setting.

[JJFIELDS]

Russ - I'm extremely interested.......

It would completely depend on what we have going on the actual date, as our summer fills up real fast! The later in the year, the better, for me! Even after the kids are back in school.....or after golf season.....

Jeff

[Forensicguy]

So far, only two people (beside myself) seem interested. Any others?

[astrummer]

So far, only two people (beside myself) seem interested. Any others?

Depending on schedules, I might be able to bring an acquaintance from the congregation where I attend, who I think would fit in well at such a gathering.....

[mcphersonnut]

So far, only two people (beside myself) seem interested. Any others?

Push on my brother.......:)

[CyrilW]

I'm interested Russ. I play on my church's worship team. A couple of my band mates would probably like to attend too.

Cyril

[Forensicguy]

For me, what I'd like to do is learn more new P&W songs. Perhaps we can just play songs for each other, record them (bring your own recorder) and then learn the songs that best fits your church.

So in this case, each person would play the songs the other people are not familiar with and then help them learn the songs and provide the chords and lyrics necessary for the other person to learn it.

What do you guys think?

Our current song list is getting old though... we need new songs!

[Forensicguy]

OK... are we still interested in pursuing this? If so, post here again.

What I think would work is that everyone bring their own tape recorder (or other recording device.) As we play some songs, just record it and if it works for your church, then great! You'd have the melody on tape and then you'd have the lyrics and chords printed out.

If you are still interested, let me know! I'll ask my church to use it for the gathering.

Suggest a date and time as well.

[astrummer]

I'm still very interested. And knowing several of you from other gatherings, who have expressed some interest in this one, I think it would be a great time......

The weekends of July 4-6 and 12-13 do not work for me, otherwise I'm open.....

[leeasam]

I`m intersted if it is on a saturday and the right weekend!

[Forensicguy]

I've made a formal request to my church for the use of the facility, so I should hear back within one or two weeks. But I don't see the request being turned down... so let's plan on this event happening at my church in Des Plaines, IL.

Now all we need is a date and confirmation of who's coming.

Saturdays are probably best I would think. Which one? How soon do you want to meet?

I'm anxious to get some new songs NOW, so the earlier the better for me. As for my current schedule, I'd suggest either July 26 or August 2nd.

How are these dates for everyone?

[astrummer]

I've made a formal request to my church for the use of the facility, so I should hear back within one or two weeks. But I don't see the request being turned down... so let's plan on this event happening at my church in Des Plaines, IL.

Now all we need is a date and confirmation of who's coming.

Saturdays are probably best I would think. Which one? How soon do you want to meet?

I'm anxious to get some new songs NOW, so the earlier the better for me. As for my current schedule, I'd suggest either July 26 or August 2nd.

How are these dates for everyone?

Either date works for me.....:guitar:

[CyrilW]

Either date works for me as well.

[Forensicguy]

Thanks guys! Let's wait to hear from the others before we decide on either date.

Anyone else want to join us? Even if you do not lead worship at your church but you know a bunch of Christian praise songs and can play and share with us, please come out and join us! This should be a good time for both fellowship and just playing guitar and sharing Christian songs!

For everyone, be sure to bring the following:

Acoustic Guitar
1/4" cables to plug into our mixer
music stands
lyrics
chords
overhead transparencies (if you have them)
Tape recorder... this is essential if you want to remember the songs you are learning from everyone!! :)

Also bring CD's with you or bromg your iPods with Christian songs on it. If we find a good song, we can immediately write out the lyrics and chords and learn the song that way as well!

If anyone has a laptop and projector and can project Word documents up, that would be appreciated too! We have a screen.

Also please bring one dish to share with everyone! We'll have a pot-luck dinner. If you can, please post what you plan to bring so we won't end up with duplicates. The church has plates and utensils... we just need the food and soft drinks!

[Forensicguy]

If you have the lyrics to your praise songs but do not have the chords written out, don't worry. We can figure out the chords on the day of the get together. You just need to be able to play the song yourself and we'll write in the chords to your lyrics.

Also, bring CD's with you or bring your iPods with Christian songs on it. If we find a good song, we can immediately write out the lyrics and chords and learn the song that way as well!

Don't worry... I have perfect pitch and can usually figure out a song by just listening to it. Usually takes me about 5 to 10 minutes tops to get all the chords written out on a song, depending on if I'm doing the writing of the chords or if someone else writes it as I dictate it. :)

[astrummer]

Don't worry... I have perfect pitch

Oh goodness, how I must have made you suffer..... :cry:;)

[Forensicguy]

Oh goodness, how I must have made you suffer..... :cry:;)

What? What did you say? I can't hear you... :D

You might have noticed that while we were playing at the last get together, I never really looked at anyone's guitar neck and chord formations while I was playing bass. I was just using my ears. That's how I usually play. ;)

[leeasam]

the 2nd works for me best. My Wife is off that weekend and can watch the boys.

[Forensicguy]

At this point, I'm shooting for Aug 2nd.

I have also invited other worship leaders from other churches, even though they are not AGF members. I'd like to get perhaps 6-8 churches involved if possible.

More info to come. :)

[mcphersonnut]

I am praying about doing one of these in my area. Great idea, and it sounds like you guys will be very bless't.

[Forensicguy]

Right now, I have attending:

Leesam
astrummer
CyrilW
Forensicguy

Anyone else interested?

[seungmo82]

Right now, I have attending:

Leesam
astrummer
CyrilW
Forensicguy

Anyone else interested?

I'm in... :)
please let me know what to bring and date~
thank you~

[Oracle]

Russ,

As usually happens with my life, I will be either a last
minute yes or no, but I would be interested to join in.

If your chuch facility doesn't pan out, I could probably
offer my church. I'll check our church calendar Sunday.

Mike

[astrummer]

Right now, I have attending:

Leesam
astrummer
CyrilW
Forensicguy

Anyone else interested?

There's a worship leader ( guitarist ) that attends the same church that I do, that has expressed interest and that I would say is about 50/50 as far as chances on coming. I'll probably know better whether he's coming in a week or so......

[Forensicguy]

Right now, I have attending:

Leesam
astrummer
CyrilW
Forensicguy

Anyone else interested?

Thanks for the updates.

Let's add in:

seungmo82
Oracle (possible last minute)
Friend of astrummer (possibly)

As for the church, my church has approved us to use it and I'll email the address to everyone soon.

The date is set right now for August 2 from 3 PM until 9 PM or whenever we are done.

[Forensicguy]

Emails have been sent to those who have expressed interest. If you did not receive the email, please PM or email me.

Thanks!