The 150 year old congregation of First United Methodist Church, Eatonton, and those of the 10 year old Lake Oconee Community Church, Greensboro, together hosted the Candler Singers from Candler School of Theology at Emory University this past Sunday evening – a perfect example of what can be accomplished when diverse communities come together with a common goal.  The historic and acoustically superb sanctuary of FUMC proved the perfect location for the 150 plus capacity house to hear the 20 voice choir made up of mostly Master of Divinity students from various places around the country and world.  Under the direction of the Reverend Barbara Day Miller, Assistant Dean of Worship and Music at Candler, the Singers sang their way through the seasons of the church year with selections from the 10th to 21st century; Classical to Gospel, Jazz to Sacred Harp; from Europe and Africa, Latin America and the U.S.; accompanied and acappella; with organ or piano, bells, percussion, or saxophone; from the chancel, from the rear, and in the round; in Latin, English, Spanish and many other dialects.

Peggy Little, Pastor of FUMC, Eatonton, and Avis Williams Associate Pastor at LOCC are both Candler graduates.  David Key, founding pastor of Lake Oconee Community Church is on the faculty of Candler, and Gary Arnold, Associate Pastor at LOCC is former assistant to the Dean of Worship at Candler.

Candler School of Theology is one of thirteen United Methodist seminaries.  Candler is shaped by the Wesleyan tradition of evangelical piety, ecumenical openness, and social concern.  This proved to be not just “tradition”, but a living reality within those who are the Candler Singers, in the music they sing, and in the experience that was enjoyed by all.