The Church Music Institute announced that the Rev. Dr. Tim Shapiro of the Indianapolis-based Center for Congregations, and Chief Justice Carolyn Wright of the 5th District Court of Appeals, Dallas, will be featured speakers for the annual North Texas Sacred Music and Worship gathering June 22-23  at St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church, Dallas. Dr. Shapiro will talk about his new book, How Your Congregation Learns and offer latest statistics about congregations that flourish. Chief Justice Wright will relate the connection between choral music and her recovery from a two-month coma. For more information click here to register. 

Shapiro, also a Presbyterian pastor, has studied characteristics of congregations across the U.S. to learn best practices. Wright is the highest ranking African-American judge ever in the state of Texas, to be inducted as a “Living Legend” in the Texas Bar Hall of Fame. On June 23, Shapiro will speak in a plenary and lead break-out sessions for clergy and lay leaders interested in how congregations work at their best. Wright will relay her faith journey through music, influenced by her grandmothers who led choirs in church, formation that prepared her for an unanticipated medical crisis.

Cynthia Nott, artistic director of the Children’s Chorus of Greater Dallas, will begin the workshop on Friday afternoon with “Beauty Is the Carrot: Children’s Music Programs that Form Christians and Congregations.” Dr. Allen Hightower will continue on Friday evening with a Choral Sing for all church choir singers.

Saturday’s sessions will include Hal Hopson on creative use of hymns in worship, Scott Dettra on leading congregational singing from the organ, Kathie Johnson on special services, and Benjamin Kolodziej and Allen Hightower on organ and choral repertoire.

Worship will be led by the Rev. Lisa Flores Musser with Glenn Stroh and Tim Shewmaker. The Church Music Institute is an educational entity located in Dallas, TX, serving all Christian denominations, assisting leaders of worship with resources and education for excellence in worship and music in congregations.