Djembe Drumming

Djembe Drum, pronounced 'jem bay'

Today, I helped with leading worship at the Seed service. Everyone else that typically helps out was on holidays or away for the day/weekend. So ... that left me to do the music part. During the planning for the service, I suggested a song that I really like ... the Victory Chant. It's basically an Acapella song but is good with a drum. Kevin, the chaplain, figured that I could learn how to play this drum in 3 days. Keep in mind, I've never played on one before. Nevertheless, he put it in my car and instructed me to learn. I practiced over the 3 days. Sure enough, for the service, he brought it to the 'living room', the area we have the service. When we got up to that song, he basically handed it over to me. What was I supposed to do in front of the people .... say "I can't"? Try anyway?

Well, I tried anyway. Without singing, I could keep a good beat going. With singing, well, I made many blunders. Mind you, I'm a perfectionist with playing music and notice my mistakes and am hard on myself. Nevertheless, I had people coming up to me saying I did an awesome job and that I sing really well. I told someone that I made several mistakes and that was pretty much my first time playing the drum and he said it sounded like I had been playing for years. I think, though, that I must take these comments with a grain of salt. Few people come in and play for them. Many of the attenders don't care about the quality of the performers ... more so the heart of the people playing. I guess that's what makes it easier to do. Knowing that I'm not going to be judged and the people who DO attend are there because they want to and are hungry to hear the message (in whatever form that takes) and to sing (and/or hear others sing). I guess the one thing it teaches me is how good simplicity is. The atmosphere isn't a performance, it's participation as people feel comfortable. It's a laid-back, genuine, and straight forward service where everyone is accepted.

The group was a mix of volunteers, staff, guests, and people from the community. I hung around after to have coffee and to chat with the people who attended. I don't mind helping out with this sometimes. Maybe I should make it more regular. Except, Sundays is the day that I typically spend with my friends. To be honest, if I didn't work there, I'd be tempted to make this my church as it would be a great place to get involved ... in leadership, in music, and in community. But, as many of the people are my clients, the community part would not work as well because it would feel like 'just another day' at work.