Music for the second and third Saturday evening vigil masses each month is led by the Gospel Choir under the very capable choral direction of Ms. Rhonda Glaudè, accompanied by Mr. Larry Driver at the piano. The Gospel Choir was formed in 1993 and has breathed a wonderful new charism into our parish.

African Seminarians We Have Sponsored

  

In addition to their musical contribution to our parish, the gospel choir spearheads fundraising for a Dominican Seminary located in Nigeria, Africa — Support Our Seminarian Program (SOS Program). In 1999 we began our parish journey with our "adopted" seminarian and we are currently working to complete our fifth year of this seven-year journey, having already contributed over $14,000 to this most important endeavor. Please keep him and all those in religious formation in your prayers.

Footprints of the St. Thomas a' Becket Gospel Choir

On several occasions during the 1990-92 timeframe, the African American Catholic Concerns Ministry invited African and African American priests and gospel choirs from area churches to St. Thomas to worship. The group's goal was to share a style of worship through song, praise and prayer that is unique to the African American culture and the universality of the Catholic faith.

During one such visit, the vision for St. Thomas to form its own gospel choir was born. The African American Catholic Concerns Ministry sought input from fellow parishioners and Father Pat Holyrod before pursuing the vision. Following prayer and input from several sources, a gospel choir was founded.

On February 20, 1993, the St. Thomas a' Becket Gospel Choir provided music for our worship service for the first time. There were nine members and for several years, lead the singing on the second Saturday of each month at the 5 p.m. vigil.

The present choir director is Rhonda Glaude' and the accompanist is Larry Driver. There are twenty-three members and the choir leads the singing on the second and third Saturdays of each month at the 5 p.m. vigil.

CHARITY

Love of Neighbor
But above all these things have charity,
which is the bond of perfection.
Col. chapter 3; ver. 14

The Saint Thomas a' Becket Gospel Choir is ever prayerful, organized and connected. Praising God in song is only part of our ministry—We Love and Care for Our Neighbor.

For the past fourteen years, we have participated in worship services at St. Thomas and programs at area churches.

In 1999, our parish joined us in a 7-year journey to support a seminarian in Nigeria , Africa through the Amen Foundation. Through “free-will” offerings, $21,400 was raised during the 7-years; enough to support two seminarians. They were ordained into the priesthood August 19, 2006 and now serve in Africa . We concluded our journey on September 16, 2006 with a parish-wide celebration. The Most Reverend Paul Loverde, Bishop of Arlington was our celebrant and our pastor, Father Thomas P. Ferguson, was concelebrant (see Arlington Catholic Herald, September 21, 2006). Parishioners and friends contributed $3,092 for the purchase of vessels and vestments for our newly ordained priests.

Our new endeavor is the sponsorship of two ladies through the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging. The CFCA's purpose is to, “create a worldwide community of compassion through personal outreach. The

CFCA's highest priority is one-to-one sponsorship of children, youth and aging persons to help them achieve their desired potential, live with dignity and partake fully in their communities.”

We presently sponsor a 65-year old homemaker living in Chile and a 12-year old girl student living in Guatemala . Funds raised to sponsor these friends will come directly from choir members' contributions.

We are proud of our parish and it's achievements, but remain very aware that we cannot do anything without God's grace and your prayers. Please remember to keep our ministry in your prayers.

Thank you for your support and prayers.

Marylah Martin, Coordinator
St. Thomas a' Becket Catholic Church
Gospel Choir

For more information about the Gospel Choir please contact
The Gospel Choir's coordinator, Marylah Martin at 703 759-3870

Rhonda Glaudé, Director

     Rhonda Glaudé has served as the director of the St. Thomas à Becket Gospel Choir since 2001. A Howard University graduate, Ms. Glaudé was a member of Howard's Gospel Choir where she was introduced to the origins of gospel music with such artists as – Leon Roberts and Richard Smallwood. Ms. Glaudé has performed with some of the most famous gospel artists of our time, The Hawkins Family, James Cleveland, Myrna Summers and Shirley Caesar. She is a speech language pathologist in the Prince George 's County Public School System in Maryland and directs two gospel choirs – the 19th Street Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. , and our own gospel choir here at St. Thomas à Becket Catholic Church in Reston, Virginia. For the past four years, she has performed at the Kennedy Center productions of “The Women in Gospel” and “The Men & Women in Gospel” sponsored by the Washington Performing Arts Society. We thank Rhonda for sharing the gift of her music and spirit with us.

Larry Driver, Accompanist

Mr. Larry Driver has faithfully served our parish community of St. Thomas à Becket as director and/or accompanist of the Gospel Choir since 1998. He began directing and accompaning various choirs since he was fourteen years of age and has served in music ministry at the Sharp Street United Methodist Church in Sandy Spring, Maryland, Asbury United Methodist Church in Frederick, Maryland, and is one of the worship leaders at his home church – Church of the Apostles, Episcopal, in Fairfax, Virginia. Mr. Driver holds a B.A. degree from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. , where he studied psychology and vocal performance.

     "Lead Me, Guide Me" isn't merely the name of a hymnal or gospel hymn, it is the true inspiration for this very energetic choir. Ms. Glaudè energizes the congregation with her vocal talents, singing style and a sheer joy-filled spirit which is contagious. Ask anyone who's celebrated at a Mass with the Gospel choir and they'll tell you that their foot began to tap...they clapped their hands, moved from side to side and sang out with a joyful voice unto the Lord! (Even if they had never done so before!) Join us!

     Though the music presented by the Gospel choir is distinctly "Gospel", it is well balanced with regard to American catholic tradition. The Gospel Choir is the newest and a most welcome addition to our parish's musical family.