New Way

For two weeks during the summers after my junior and senior years of high school, I sang in the Florida State Youth Choir of the Church of God, commonly known as "New Way" or "The New Way Singers". The people at Northside CoG had been encouraging me to audition since the Booths' arrival at that congregation in 1996, but I was too shy that year, and too skeptical in the years that followed (both of my own ability to succeed and of the prospect of a touring Christian youth choir), to give it a shot.

I finally auditioned at my first State Youth Convention in the fall of 99, with "Brian's Song". I just had to close my eyes and sing my heart out: I had never been so nervous in an audition. I remember that the first question the panel of auditioners asked was "And you really haven't had any formal vocal training?" I was sure, then, that I would make the cut, but checking the list for my name was still terrible! I think that Kristen and I made Michael Todd do it.

New Way turned out to be such an amazing experience. I learned, in four weeks of touring and maybe two and a half combined weeks of rehearsal, so much about my own relationships with God and people, about leadership, about music, about friendship, and especially, about worship and grace. I have built on the foundations of my youth, and even when tours seemed more about drama than praise, there is much of what I learned on tour in those foundations.

It's surprising to me, though, that the one thing I carry with me every day is how I learned that it really is okay not to be "one of the cool kids". There's no need for me to "fit in", because I have more fun when I'm most myself. I still would rather hang out with people who are somewhat like me, but I get--and I happened to learn it on a bus with 50 teenagers (I can't think of a better place!)--that they don't have to be the "in" crowd, all my efforts to the contrary notwithstanding. I--and they, as a matter of fact--are better off when I'm just being Lea.

This post was precipitated by the start of a chain note about New Way on Facebook. For all who are not on FB, here is the note in its entirety.

"A New Way Note"

What years were you in NW? 2000 - 2001

What was your favorite/least favorite song? I have two: By and By, and Redeemer, Savior, Friend

What did you wear? Pink and khaki, then yellow and denim

Who was your POP? My second year I prayed for Alaina, and was prayed for by Patrick Nitchman. I’m sad to say that I don’t remember my POPs from 2000.

What were your jobs/committees/ministries on tour? I was on sound crew, then I was the sound committee chair (for reasons that I could not fathom at the time), and I was on devotions, too, in ’01.

Who was your favorite roomie? Jill and Kara

Did you get an award and why? Me and Stinky Stephanie, 2000.

Who were your counselors? Dana, Terri, Beav, Kareen, and Alison are who I can remember. My family group counselors were Alison, year 1; and Terri, year 2.

Who drove the bus? Charlie. Oh, Charlie.

What is a favorite bus memory? Announcements with Nitch and Boldman, and Erin Dove coming over and sitting in my lap for some reason or another.

What IYC cities did you visit? Orlando, 2000.

Best concert? The one where that guy in the wheelchair stood up, and the last concert my last year when my dad surprised me by coming. I had tears in my eyes that whole time.

Did you sing, dance, or play in the band? Sang first soprano in a real choir for the first time in my life!

Who would you like to see that you met in NW that you haven’t seen in a long time? Jill, Kara, and Rodney.

Did you have a NW friend in your wedding? Haven’t had a wedding yet, although I would love for Jill Beaver to sing, if I ever do have one!

Are you involved in any ministries now? I just discovered my call to ministry in the UMC. I am so beyond excited about it.

How did NW have an impact on your life? I learned so much about worship and leadership and friendship and grace... And really, New Way is where I finally learned that it’s okay not to be one of the cool kids.

I also have to say that, even though it's not a question, my favorite memory of my time in NW is when Jill, Loretta, Teri, Erin, and I (I know I'm forgetting people; I'm sorry! I have the picture somewhere...) strutted through the Warner dorms singing "Goodnight, Sweetheart" in four-part harmony, at bedtime.

Thanks for the tag, Kara!