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Hymn Sing undergoes changes, but purpose remains the same |
Pastor Steve Estrem takes over for Jim Ringseth as
leader of the annual event |
By Amanda
Newman, Newberg Graphic reporter
E-mail Amanda at
anewman@eaglenewspapers.com
|
Over the many years that the
annual Hymn Sing has been a part of the Old Fashioned Festival, few
things have changed. Most of the songs in the hymnbook are the same,
and many of the community participants have attended for decades.
The move from Jaquith Park to Memorial Park was the event’s biggest
change — until this year.
Steve Estrem led the 2007 annual Newberg Community Hymn Sing, taking
the place of longtime leader Jim Ringseth.
Ringseth, who led the hymn sing for 25 of its 27 years, retired
recently and moved to California.
“I enjoyed (leading the hymn sing) because I love to get people to
sing,” said Ringseth, former pastor of Open Bible Church and
president of the Newberg Ministerial Association. “(But) we knew
that when we were going to retire, we would do it with joy.”
Estrem, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church, succeeded Ringseth as head
of the ministerial association and decided to take on leadership of
the hymn sing as well.
“It was a wonderful experience,” said Estrem. Although he has had
“experience singing before groups,” his only previous contact with
the hymn sing was attending last year’s event.
The hymn sing opened with a performance by the Patriarchs, a local
men’s chorus. The group sang several hymns, including “Seeking a
Loss,” “I’ll Fly Away” and “When the Saints Go Marching In.”
The audience joined in as Estrem led the gathering in more hymns
and patriotic songs, including “When the Roll is Called Up Yonder,”
“Amazing Grace,” “America, the Beautiful” and “Just A Closer Walk
With Thee.”
The event’s highlight was the surprise arrival of Ringseth, who
joined Estrem in leading several of the songs.
When Estrem originally approached Ringseth with the idea of a guest
appearance, they explained, it was not a possibility. After being
“stuck” in Tacoma, Wash., for five weeks as his wife recovered from
an injury, however, Ringseth ended up passing through Newberg last
weekend — just in time for the hymn sing.
“I was really excited,” he said. “It all worked together.”
The hymn sing included recognition of various festival
contributors, including members of the Old Fashioned Festival
committee and the Newberg Fire Department.
Lois Hawkins accompanied the singing throughout the event, which
concluded with Ringseth and Estrem leading the community in an a
capella rendition of the Lord’s Prayer.
“I knew Steve (Estrem) would do a good job (leading the hymn
sing),” Ringseth said. However, he was glad to be able to
participate.
“It’s been a great part of my year for 27 years,” he explained. “I
think it’s the capstone of the Old Fashioned Festival.”
The most notable change Estrem brought to the hymn sing was in the
method for choosing the hymns. In the past, community participants
have called out the numbers of hymns they wanted to sing. This time,
Estrem called the shots.
“I think some of the people missed that,” he said, explaining that
he chose songs that both he and the accompanist knew. However, he
was quick to add that crowd requests may return next year.
“(The hymn sing) is a good tradition, (and) it’s going to be very
similar to what it’s been in the past,” he said. “It took on a
different flavor ... but I don’t have any particular plans for
changing it.”
However, he said the program may be adjusted next year to allow for
more community hymn singing.
“I think when people come to a hymn sing, they want to sing, and I
think that’s the direction we’ll head next year,” he said.
To make suggestions for future hymn sings, call Estrem at
503-538-1344. |
|
From
Aug. 4, 2007, Newberg Graphic
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