WHAT AND WHY

Crowded Table is an ever-growing collective of singers and instrumentalists who seek to create beautiful, transformative, and connective worship experiences for the St. Andrew Congregation.  Serving primarily at the 10:30 Sunday worship service, Crowded Table is first and foremost committed to celebrating the spiritual and social connection that happens when people sing together.  As we gather in worship, singing can draw us into the presence of the Divine and connect us with one another like nothing else can.  Therefore our goal is to create musical experiences that shatter boundaries of genre, celebrate connection, challenge, inspire, motivate, and most importantly, invite everyone to participate. 

From reinventing ancient hymns and old praise choruses, to covering modern pop songs, to performing original liturgical music, Crowded Table is characterized by broad musical diversity, creativity, and stylistic fluidity.  Folksy but not folk music, Jazzy but not Jazz, Contemporary but classically-influenced, Crowded Table is committed to honoring the musical expressions and culture of the historical Church, Methodism, and the unique, world-class musical culture of St. Andrew.  

Crowded Table is an expression of abundance.  All are welcome, all are included; and together with the “Traditional Music” program, we believe we are creating a culture of liturgical / spiritual music at St. Andrew that is broad enough to include and inspire anyone who may walk through our doors.  

WHO AND WHERE

If you sing or play an instrument – seriously, any instrument – you are welcome to join us.  Crowded Table plays at the 10:30 service 2-3 times per month, and rehearses on the prior Thursday evenings.  If you have any questions or would like to explore involvement, please reach out to Justin for more information.

Why burn poor and lonely
Under a bowl or under a lampshade?
Tell all the stones, we’re gonna make a building
We’ll be cut into shape and set into place
Or if you’d rather be a window,
I’ll gladly be the frame

We’ll be like torches

We’ll be like torches together!
With whatever respect our tattered dignity demands
Torches together, hand in hand

Why pluck one string?
What good is just one note?
Oh, one string sounds fine I guess
We we’re once ‘One Notes’
We were lonely wheat quietly ground into grain
(What light and momentary pain!)
Why pluck one string when you can strum the guitar?
– Aaron Weiss