The Fellowship of Worship Artists

08/21/2026

I think my personal favorite is “When In Our Music God is Horrified,” but I think we should play this game. Change one word to a hymn title to give it a new meaning. And please keep it appropriate for all ages.

08/05/2026

Our Scripture selection for the week of August 9th recounts the story of Jesus walking on the water. Join us as we step out in faith with this week's Fellowship Reflections devotional email!

https://www.thefellowshipowa.org/so/54P-GVWog?languageTag=en

08/04/2026

Our prayers are with all who knew and loved Martha Lynn Thompson. Thank you for the music, your leadership, and the many ways you shared your gifts with the world!

HMA is saddened to share that handbell composer, luminary, and HMA Honorary Life Member Martha Lynn Thompson has passed away.

Martha Lynn served as organist and associate director of music at St. James United Methodist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, from 1969 until her retirement in 2002. Alongside her late husband, Felix, who served as director of music, she directed the church’s 14 handbell choirs.

She also served as national secretary of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers, now Handbell Musicians of America, and as a member of the Choristers Guild Board of Directors. In 2001, she was named an AGEHR Honorary Life Member, the highest honor bestowed by the organization.

Last fall, Martha Lynn was interviewed for HMA’s online ThanksRinging event. You may view the interview at https://handbellmusicians.org/thanksringing-martha-lynn-thompson/.

We will share additional details as they become available. A full tribute will also be forthcoming.

06/24/2026

Good morning, friends!

Music & Worship Arts Week 2026 (MWAW2026) is well underway, and, among the many moments of fellowship and celebration that we've shared so far, one of the most impactful moments came when Blaine Russell, our MWAW Design Team Chair, asked those who are at MWAW for the first time to raise their hands. A sea of hands shot up, and those hands belonged to people of all ages.

Blaine then asked us to raise our hands if we've been coming to Music & Worship Arts Week for three years... five years... ten years... etc. At over forty years, we found our longest-attending members! It was an incredible moment, and it highlighted two truths:

Those attending Music & Worship Arts Week for the first time could not and would not be here if not for the vision, creativity, and dedication of those who have been coming for a long time.

And those who have been coming for a long time would not be in Fellowship with us today if they had not attended for a first time sometime in the past.

It is with those truths in mind that I'm writing to you today. I have the honor of introducing a new scholarship fund that will assist worship leaders who are attending Music & Worship Arts Week for the first time.

The Debi Tyree Scholarship for the Next Generation of Worship Artists.

For those who did not have the joy of knowing Debi Tyree, she was...

Click the link below to learn more about Debi and the many ways she left her mark on generations of worship artists in the past, and how her legacy is helping to inspire worship artists of the present and future.

https://thefellowshipowa.org/so/9bPxujnUg?languageTag=en&cid=267686fa-1a4b-4bf8-a7f4-18e1a5394b47

To give to the Debi Tyree Scholarship and to the future of The Fellowship, please visit: www.thefellowshipowa.org/donate.

Click the dropdown in the form and select Debi Tyree Scholarship before submitting.

Thank you for your support of The Fellowship of Worship Artists.

06/22/2026

What a way to start the our week at Music & Worship Arts Week!

Music & Worship Arts Week – Sunday Evening Hymn SingHave a Little ...

06/18/2026

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you."

~ John 14:27

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0uJ6wlueOF4Z8LrgdDf4li

Playlist · Erica Rushing · 30 items · 9 saves

06/01/2026

Order your t-shirts today!

Light blue crew neck t-shirt with An Elemental Advent logo. T-shirts will NOT be available for purchase on site, so be sure to order today! Logo design: Rev. Todd Pick

05/25/2026

“O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country love
And mercy more than life!”

Lord, we entrust to your care all who have sacrificed their lives on behalf of our nation. May their courage and selflessness inspire from us the same commitment to service in our churches and communities so that others might know the freedoms for which so many have died. We ask you to comfort their loved ones and we rejoice that they will one day be reunited in eternal life with you. We ask these things in your son’s name. Amen.