Harnessing the power of song and sound to heal and bring hope

Amherst church forms the Healing Circle Singers to bring healing energy to the community

Once you step into the room your senses heighten. The space is dark, except for the soft illumination of faces by candlelight. It is quiet, except for the angelic tone emitted from a crystal bowl. You can hear slow and deliberate breathing. You can sense a spiritual energy in the room. The healing begins.

First Congregational Church, UCC, of Amherst recently created a group called the Healing Circle Singers. Every week, they gather to sing simple spiritual songs and be present to those who would like to receive healing energy.

Dorothy Cresswell, a member of First Congregational, was inspired to start the group after an experience last winter. A guitar-playing member of the congregation, Katie Tolles, invited others to join her on January 6th -- the Epiphany -- to sing holiday songs at an extended care facility. Earlier caroling plans had been cancelled because of the weather. Cresswell and a few others joined that day and were witnesses to the healing power of song. Residents grew smiles, while family members of the residents cried with appreciative tears.

Cresswell remembers one young woman, disabled and in a wheelchair, who started rocking back and forth and singing along when she heard the traditional music.

"I saw one of the residents stare in disbelief at her because she had sat with the woman in the wheelchair almost every day for four years and had never seen her move her lips," said Cresswell. "I was so moved that day, I decided that bringing song to others could be therapeutic and was something we should do more often."

As what happens with many good intentions, schedules get filled and people get busy, and the task never seems to get addressed, but the idea stuck in Cresswell's mind. So in the Fall, Cresswell discussed her idea with the pastor, the Rev. Ms. Vicki Kemper, and committed to the undertaking of leading a healing circle for one hour a week. Others were relieved; they also wanted to participate, but they needed a leader to jumpstart the ministry. And Cresswell's 'stepping up' inspired Tolles to lead the group on the road and bring the service to those homebound or in facilities.

Cresswell, who is not a trained healer but has participated in many healing workshops, purchased a used crystal singing bowl. Crystal singing bowls work on the same principle as rubbing a wet finger over the rim of a crystal glass. With the bowls, one circles a wooden stick or padded mallet around the outside rim of the bowl; the vibration causes an enchanting sound to begin almost immediately. Since ancient times, the bowls have been revered by many cultures and religions; and even today many believe the angelic tones and their rippling vibrations can have a profound personal and healing effect. Many believe that when song accompanies the tone, the energy is even more powerful.

Scientists are studying the subject, known as 'vibration healing" or "sound healing" but many doctors and experts in alternative health have already integrated 'sound healing' in their practices.

Dr. Mitchell Gaynor, director of Medical Oncology and Integrative Medicine, at the Cornell Cancer Prevention Center in New York, who has been quoted in several articles, believes: "If we accept that sound is vibration and we know that vibration touches every part of our physical being, then we understand that sound is heard not only through our ears but through every cell in our bodies. One reason sound heals on a physical level is because it so deeply touches and transforms us on the emotional and spiritual planes. Sound can redress imbalances on every level of physiologic functioning and can play a positive role in the treatment of virtually any medical disorder."

"I really believe God and Spirit are channeled through us," said Cresswell. "I don't have any visions or psychic ability, but I do feel the energy, the heat, and the love."

Although the group formed just recently, there have been up to eight members of the church community who participate. Once a week, they gather, darken the room, light candles, set the crystal bowl ringing, deepen their breathing and say a centering prayer. Then they sing simple songs -- sometimes turning on the lights to see the music sheets. The room is darkened again while they join hands and share their concerns. Sometimes the concerns are grave, like serious illnesses or childhood trauma memories; sometimes they are more generic like family relationships or anxieties about the economy.

During some sessions, a person may request hands-on healing. As a song is quietly hummed, hands are held just over the person, or put on the requestor's shoulders or knees. Spirit's healing light and love are visualized entering the one who is seated. Members come for different reasons. "I feel I'm not alone with what I am carrying," commented one member. "I come just because I feel better after I've been here," said another. Others feel it gives them a more personal experience of community and fellowship. Still others appreciate the one hour a week of calmness.

Cresswell anticipates that soon others outside the church community will be invited, but she is trying to first give the ministry a good foundation with a core group.

"Whether people are there for specific support or focused on the wider community and world, healing is needed. Where two or three are gathered with open hearts, there will be blessings," she said. "Our healing circle is in its fledgling stage, but I truly believe its source is much bigger than any one of us." Dorothy Cresswell can be reached through the First Congregational Church, UCC, in Amherst at (413) 253-3456 or firstchurch_amherst@comcast.net.

Read more about the debate on sound therapy in this New York Times article.

Tell us how God is speaking in and through your church. Have you reached out to the community in unique ways? Initiated a new mission project? Found a new way to minister to those within the congregation? Share your story and help us to spread the good news! Contact Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane, Editor, at cochranem@macucc.org.

You may reprint this story by including the following line in your article:
"Source: Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ, www.macucc.org/spotlight"

• Talk with others about how God is Still Speaking at your church. Send us your story at spotlight@macucc.org. Suggest to others that they subscribe to Spotlight.
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Harnessing the power of song and sound to heal and bring hope

Amherst church forms the Healing Circle Singers to bring healing energy to the community

Once you step into the room your senses heighten. The space is dark, except for the soft illumination of faces by candlelight. It is quiet, except for the angelic tone emitted from a crystal bowl. You can hear slow and deliberate breathing. You can sense a spiritual energy in the room. The healing begins.

First Congregational Church, UCC, of Amherst recently created a group called the Healing Circle Singers. Every week, they gather to sing simple spiritual songs and be present to those who would like to receive healing energy.

Dorothy Cresswell, a member of First Congregational, was inspired to start the group after an experience last winter. A guitar-playing member of the congregation, Katie Tolles, invited others to join her on January 6th -- the Epiphany -- to sing holiday songs at an extended care facility. Earlier caroling plans had been cancelled because of the weather. Cresswell and a few others joined that day and were witnesses to the healing power of song. Residents grew smiles, while family members of the residents cried with appreciative tears.

Cresswell remembers one young woman, disabled and in a wheelchair, who started rocking back and forth and singing along when she heard the traditional music.

"I saw one of the residents stare in disbelief at her because she had sat with the woman in the wheelchair almost every day for four years and had never seen her move her lips," said Cresswell. "I was so moved that day, I decided that bringing song to others could be therapeutic and was something we should do more often."

As what happens with many good intentions, schedules get filled and people get busy, and the task never seems to get addressed, but the idea stuck in Cresswell's mind. So in the Fall, Cresswell discussed her idea with the pastor, the Rev. Ms. Vicki Kemper, and committed to the undertaking of leading a healing circle for one hour a week. Others were relieved; they also wanted to participate, but they needed a leader to jumpstart the ministry. And Cresswell's 'stepping up' inspired Tolles to lead the group on the road and bring the service to those homebound or in facilities.

Cresswell, who is not a trained healer but has participated in many healing workshops, purchased a used crystal singing bowl. Crystal singing bowls work on the same principle as rubbing a wet finger over the rim of a crystal glass. With the bowls, one circles a wooden stick or padded mallet around the outside rim of the bowl; the vibration causes an enchanting sound to begin almost immediately. Since ancient times, the bowls have been revered by many cultures and religions; and even today many believe the angelic tones and their rippling vibrations can have a profound personal and healing effect. Many believe that when song accompanies the tone, the energy is even more powerful.

Scientists are studying the subject, known as 'vibration healing" or "sound healing" but many doctors and experts in alternative health have already integrated 'sound healing' in their practices.

Dr. Mitchell Gaynor, director of Medical Oncology and Integrative Medicine, at the Cornell Cancer Prevention Center in New York, who has been quoted in several articles, believes: "If we accept that sound is vibration and we know that vibration touches every part of our physical being, then we understand that sound is heard not only through our ears but through every cell in our bodies. One reason sound heals on a physical level is because it so deeply touches and transforms us on the emotional and spiritual planes. Sound can redress imbalances on every level of physiologic functioning and can play a positive role in the treatment of virtually any medical disorder."

"I really believe God and Spirit are channeled through us," said Cresswell. "I don't have any visions or psychic ability, but I do feel the energy, the heat, and the love."

Although the group formed just recently, there have been up to eight members of the church community who participate. Once a week, they gather, darken the room, light candles, set the crystal bowl ringing, deepen their breathing and say a centering prayer. Then they sing simple songs -- sometimes turning on the lights to see the music sheets. The room is darkened again while they join hands and share their concerns. Sometimes the concerns are grave, like serious illnesses or childhood trauma memories; sometimes they are more generic like family relationships or anxieties about the economy.

During some sessions, a person may request hands-on healing. As a song is quietly hummed, hands are held just over the person, or put on the requestor's shoulders or knees. Spirit's healing light and love are visualized entering the one who is seated. Members come for different reasons. "I feel I'm not alone with what I am carrying," commented one member. "I come just because I feel better after I've been here," said another. Others feel it gives them a more personal experience of community and fellowship. Still others appreciate the one hour a week of calmness.

Cresswell anticipates that soon others outside the church community will be invited, but she is trying to first give the ministry a good foundation with a core group.

"Whether people are there for specific support or focused on the wider community and world, healing is needed. Where two or three are gathered with open hearts, there will be blessings," she said. "Our healing circle is in its fledgling stage, but I truly believe its source is much bigger than any one of us." Dorothy Cresswell can be reached through the First Congregational Church, UCC, in Amherst at (413) 253-3456 or firstchurch_amherst@comcast.net.

Read more about the debate on sound therapy in this New York Times article.

Tell us how God is speaking in and through your church. Have you reached out to the community in unique ways? Initiated a new mission project? Found a new way to minister to those within the congregation? Share your story and help us to spread the good news! Contact Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane, Editor, at cochranem@macucc.org.

You may reprint this story by including the following line in your article:
"Source: Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ, www.macucc.org/spotlight"

• Talk with others about how God is Still Speaking at your church. Send us your story at spotlight@macucc.org. Suggest to others that they subscribe to Spotlight.
• Forward this email to your members.