Reflecting on this past year, it shouldn’t come as a surprise how deeply involved I’ve become in the music ministry at Northbrook. After all, it’s the very reason God called my family to this church.

We attended our first service at Northbrook on December 24th, 2023, and after hearing the beautiful choir, I thought to myself, now that’s a church choir. We came back on Easter Sunday, and once again I was moved by the incredible music. I left that day determined to be part of it. I emailed Chad to ask if I could join, and the rest is history.

Now, a little more than a year later, I’m serving as Director of Children’s Music—leading our amazing children’s choir, still singing with the Chancel Choir, and preparing for my newest role as the music and movement teacher in the Preschool.

I asked God to lead me where I was meant to serve musically. It never occurred to me it might be my church, and never did I think he'd lead me to teaching at a preschool, but here I am. While sometimes His answers are subtle, this one feels like a very clear message.

So, here’s what I know: God led me here to be part of the music ministry on the Northbrook campus, and now I’m asking you to be part of it, too.

If you’ve been waiting for a sign, this is it.

If your child has been thinking about joining the children’s choir or is just curious about what we do—bring them to a rehearsal! The choir is called Joyful Noise because that’s exactly what it is: joyful and noisy. It’s not called Peaceful Perfection—that choir only exists in heaven.

We meet on Wednesday nights from 5:45–6:25 p.m., and I never know exactly what rehearsal will look like. Sometimes we spend ten minutes just talking about our days. Sometimes we start with a cardio warm-up. We almost always end rehearsal with a dance party. It’s a bit chaotic, but that’s because we all have the “zoomies” by the end of the day. And guess what? I love it.

We’ll be starting Christmas rehearsals soon. I know what you’re thinking, it's too soon—but the choral world operates a lot like retail: it takes time to prepare all that Christmas magic. And trust me, you won’t want to miss what we have planned for the children’s performance on December 7th. Between now and the time of holly jolly, the children's choir will perform on the second Sunday of the month for our traditional services at 11am.

I know, I know—leave it to me to bring up Christmas when the kids have just gone back to school (they’re never going to ask me to write the log again… heheh). 
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So, on that note, Happy Back to School! But while I'm on a roll... Merry Christmas, too. 

Hope I see you soon!
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In singing,

Chelsea Spits
Director of Children's Music

Greetings!
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While many of you were here at home, packing away your Christmas trees and lights, members of the Northbrook UMC Chancel Choir and friends were strolling the historic streets of Munich, Salzburg, and Vienna! We shopped at the Christkindl Markets where they served warm pretzels and mulled wine, and drove through the countryside to Neuschwanstein castle where the farmland was blanketed in the whitest snow I’ve ever seen. We got our fill of pork knuckle and dumplings and enjoyed good German potato salad. Oh, and while we were there, we sang!!  

We were honored to perform in some of the most amazing cathedrals in Germany and Austria! Some of the highlights included singing for Mass at St. Michael’s Jesuit Church in Munich, the Salzburg Dom where Mozart was baptized, Melk Abbey, the Palace Chapel at Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna, and St. Michael Basilica in Mondsee where Maria and Georg von Trapp’s wedding was filmed in The Sound of Music.  

Anyone who has traveled abroad knows the benefits and this trip was no exception. The people in our group were able to mix and mingle as they shared meals with one another. I enjoyed seeing the younger folks mesh with the older ones and those relationships will only continue to grow here at home. There was a lot of fun and laughter, but it never took long to see the reverence and sincerity in the faces of the singers when they gathered to sing.

Representing Northbrook UMC by sharing music that conveys the love of God was certainly a unique ministry opportunity. Quite often, the ancient wooden pews were filled with tourists as well as locals who either made plans to attend or simply took a quick rest to hear choral music in a great acoustical space. I continue to be in awe at the power of sacred music to captivate people from all over the world.  

To those of you who contributed to our trip through your financial gifts and prayers, know that we are humbled and extremely grateful. 2025 has just begun and we have a lot of powerful music awaiting Northbrook in the months to come!  
With Joy,
Chad