Northbrook Trip to Germany

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

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