The Ministry of Music exists to fulfill this mission. Each musical activity is meant to provide a caring, Christ following community which will affect the lives of the musicians through music, and by so doing, will draw them and others closer to God. Being part of the Ministry of Music encourages individual growth through singing, playing, and leading in worship.

The Ministry of Music plays a very important role at Catalina. This ministry makes possible the chance for newcomers and old-timers to come together twice a week in a setting in which the same people are together for an hour or more in the same place! This ministry places an emphasis on active intergenerational participation! This ministry, by its very nature, is extremely visible to all the members! All of our choirs have two major goals:

to prepare music for leadership in worship, and

to care for each other.

worship,

service,

education, and

participation,

Our adult Sanctuary Choir is a very large group ranging in age from 19 to over 80. This choir, even though quite large by most standards, is a unique "family" that truly loves and cares for each other as strongly as they love making music together. They meet together twice a week with common goals and a sense of true accomplishment following their time together leading worship every Sunday.

Our youth choir, which at present is a combination of senior and middle high young people, our two elementary children's choirs, our two handbell choirs, and our rock band all exist to develop their members into better Christians who meet to learn about their faith as it can be expressed in music, and to inspire others in worship through their special gifts.

Variety is the "name of the game" at Catalina! Our five Sunday services range from traditional to blended to "contemporary", and the music at each reflects the style of that particular worship. Yet, even within any particular service, there is a wide variety of types of music offered.

This congregation has always understood the importance of supporting a strong emphasis on music, and is well-known for this area of ministry. Catalina UMC has employed a full-time musician since 1955, certainly one of the first churches in this part of the country to do so. This shows how important the role of music has been and continues to be for this congregation.

Sincere efforts at making beautiful music to the Lord bring an excitement and aliveness to any worship experience. Learning of the wide-eyed excitement a particular song or the magnificent sounds of the pipe organ have made in the life of a child, or how participation in a musical has changed the life of a youth, or how a particular service of music has helped make life more beautiful and bearable for a stressed adult, help us understand just how important a role music plays.

It has been said that "music is the voice of the heart." Music at Catalina United Methodist Church strives to bring us all closer to God by being able to express through music what cannot begin to be expressed through mere words and thoughts. Music plays the role of lifting us to new heights! To God alone be the glory!

- John Neve, Diaconal Minister of Music