20 Comments
User's avatar
Whitney Lane's avatar

For what it's worth, those bullet holes are still there. The first time I saw them was when Caleb went back into the building to prep for Hallie's funeral. We knew so little about what had happened at that point. Samuel Metzger was practicing an absolute barn-burner arrangement of "A Might Fortress" on the organ, my toddler was dancing to it, and I looked up and saw them. That's when I realized that the shooter made it into the sanctuary that day where my husband had been working minutes before. I make a point of looking at those holes every week, and they've come to represent all the layers of grief and hope to me. I just had to share, because when I saw your title I caught my breath. I love this project. And I would like to plug "A Mighty Fortress" for future projects =)

Expand full comment
Sandy Barton's avatar

I’m listening to it now. I’ll have to listen to it again and again to not be sucked in by the awesome organ that this keyboardist—who got her start on organ in 2nd grade—is pleasantly distracted by.

Expand full comment
Andrew Osenga's avatar

Ooh… yeah, that’s Mike Hicks!! An absolute legend! He plays with Ken Mo, Rascal Flatts, Jonny Lang… and is a gem of a human…

Expand full comment
Sandy Barton's avatar

Then I’ve heard him before. Man, he’s awesome. My soul sings with a good B3.

Expand full comment
Chris Barrett's avatar

So grateful for you, Andrew. For all you’ve been through, you are a light because of it. Your heart is so tender. If you ever want to bring Anchor Hymns to the Northeast, we’ll gladly host you.

Expand full comment
Andrew Osenga's avatar

Thanks Chris. Let’s talk about it!

Expand full comment
Chris Barrett's avatar

Absolutely!

Expand full comment
Loren Warnemuende's avatar

I’ve been reading Diana Glyer’s The Company They Keep about how the Inklings influenced each other. I don’t know if her book influenced your group, but I know it’s impacted the Rabbit Room, and it struck me that we have more beautiful collaborative efforts now than the Inklings ever did. Maybe because of Glyer talking about it? All I can say is Anchor Hymns is such a wonderful picture of how the body of Christ can work in harmony.

Expand full comment
Andrew Osenga's avatar

I’ve never heard of this book, but that sounds awesome!

Expand full comment
Loren Warnemuende's avatar

It’s her deep dive—Her book Bandersnatch is the “lighter” version, but TCTK is still very accessible. It’s pretty great.

Expand full comment
Kelly Keller's avatar

I'm thankful for your work. This is difficult and good toil.

Expand full comment
John Moody's avatar

A beautiful post, Andrew. Can wait to give the new release a listen!

Expand full comment
Brian Ferris's avatar

What a title for this post. Wow - that resonates.

I was a freshman in high school in 2012 when a gunman took the lives of three classmates, paralyzed another, and injured two more. It happened on a Monday. We were back in school by Friday. There are no words to describe what it felt like to walk into that building again. Similar to your story, I spoke with a local pastor who pointed out that we were standing beside the table where the victims had been sitting. Moments like that are in the back of your head whenever you're in the building. The spiritual wounds that were formed that day continue to challenge myself, friends, teachers, and community members thirteen years later.

On the one-year anniversary, a concert was held at a local church where the band, choir, and soloists played anthems of hope for a weary people. There was power in those songs - mystery in the grief. The people were united - holding to the small hope we protected.

My substack, The Pasturelands, is about this longing for current and future restoration, while acknowledging the painful toil of life.

I pray for the end of gun violence. I pray for those who have been affected by gun violence. I pray for those who perpetrate gun violence or are considering it. I pray for those who struggle with mental health disorders. And I pray that this album is heard by the people who need to hear it.

I'm sure there was an indescribable mystery in the room when it was sung. Thank you for sharing this story, Andrew.

Expand full comment
Ernesto Alaniz's avatar

“Disney World fast pass to the presence of Jesus.” The line made me smile brother.

Expand full comment
Paul Demer's avatar

Been really enjoying this album, Andrew. Thanks for the context - makes it that much more meaningful. You are doing such good work bringing people together and making space for things like this to happen.

Expand full comment
Abigail McVey's avatar

This is a lovely post! I helped start a nonprofit several years ago, so feel free to message me if you need help/have questions about the process!

Expand full comment
StephVG's avatar

My momma was just called Home today, this morning. After church tomorrow, I'll be driving about 8hrs to her home to be with my family. The timing of this couldn't possibly be more profound to me. Thank you.

Expand full comment
Carolyn's avatar

Beautiful. The songs, this project, the community who birthed it, and even the pain from which these blooms sprang... Nothing is ever wasted. The Breaker digs a pit, and the Maker makes a well. Love this, Andrew.

I want to hear more about your dream of using community songwriting as a tool for spiritual formation and mentoring... A dream I didn't know I had until I read that sentence!

Expand full comment