This interview is with Elizabeth Wilson, from the Vineyard in Ithaca, NY.
Mike: Great to meet you Elizabeth! Let’s start out with some information about yourself.
Elizabeth: My parents are immigrants. I was brought up Catholic, moved into the charismatic, and then became Pentecostal in college. I am married to our church pastor, we have three girls, and I am currently a part-time worship pastor. I have a degree in music (violin), and have taught/played professionally. Normally I’m a teaching assistant (Title I) in our district, covering private or public schools.
Mike: Excellent. Tell us what God’s been doing in your church? Elizabeth: Bringing in a small but steady stream of totally unchurched people and some who had given up on church. That’s exciting. Christians are also joining our church, but finding a place to meet (affordable or not) in Ithaca is a big challenge.
Mike: I have a sister that lives in Newfield just outside of Ithaca’I’ll let her know about your church. Okay’for the gear heads, what instrument are you leading from? Elizabeth: I’m playing a Taylor acoustic cut away electric (312ce’my hands are small) and we have fantastic sound people, so I don’t worry about the rest. On a rare occasion I play my violin, made by Jacob Theodore, with a bow from Moennig’s in Philadelphia that has an ivory frog.
Mike: Give us some info about your worship team(s)? Elizabeth: We have two worship teams. One is largely set in terms of personnel, and the other is more flexible, operates with more of a rotation of personnel. We’re looking at adding a third band, and by next month will probably have two services going.
Mike: That’s awesome. We’ve got a bunch of floating players as well’it works out great. Two services eh? God must be breathing on the Ithaca Vineyard! He’s definitely on the move in our region from the feedback I’m hearing. It’s a great journey to be on’ Where are you on your journey? Elizabeth: Learning to trust Him with everything. Deep in devotion. Finally.
Mike: Tell us about what has inspired you on your journey? What have you been reading? Elizabeth: The Bible, Thomas Kelly’a Testament of Devotion, Dallas Willard, N.T. Wright, Leslie Newbiggen, a book by a nun whose name I don’t remember but was talking about her journey to deeper spirituality while recovering through a 12 step program.
Mike: What about music? What are you buying or listening to? Elizabeth: Rarely can I buy music (XM radio and old recordings help), so when I do it’s a tough choice. Classical music is good (medieval to atonal), string music is especially good (Benjamin Britten to old-time fiddle, chamber music). This is some of the stuff I have in iTunes: Irish traditional (like the Chieftans or my grandpa), Flogging Molly, My Bloody Valentine, Chronicles of Narnia (favorite tracks are Toby Mac, Jars of Clay, and David Crowder Band), lots of Vineyard (usually prefer the Canadian and British releases), Matt Redman and the like, modern Irish bands, random pop (Simon and Garfunkel), and so on. I also like world music, choral music, jazz (ex)Dave Brubeck), big band, some hip hop, gospel (mass choirs and Shirley Caesar), classic rock, alternative, some country and bluegrass, parodies, and children performing. I don’t like badly recorded and poorly performed music. I’m currently trying to find louder, more raucous, and raw worship music, not necessarily for church, but just to expand my soundscape, so to speak. Some people in our congregation and worship teams are in on this project.
Mike: That’s quite a span of music styles. I bet that reflects some interesting versions of Vineyard worship! LOL. Tell us about leading worship at the Vineyard in Ithaca? Elizabeth: It’s sometimes tough being married to the pastor but I don’t want to discuss it on a forum.
Mike: That’s understandable. How do you sense God moving in your part of the region? Elizabeth: He’s building stable communities of committed Christians, who are upward and outward focused. More pastors are necessary as the need is so great.
Mike: Any words you’d like to pass on to our readers? Elizabeth: Be totally focused, intent on staying connected with God. Listen to his words of encouragement and correction, even as (or especially as) they come through other people. Also, stolen from an online devotional: Where do I sense hope, encouragement, and growth areas in my life? By looking back over the last few months, I may be able to see which activities and occasions have produced rich fruit. If I do notice such areas, I will determine to give those areas both time and space in the future.
Mike: Anything you’d like to touch on from your standpoint of being a woman in worship? Elizabeth: It makes mentoring tricky. You and your other worship leader (a guy) aren’t going to bop off to Estes Park or boot camp together; you’re not going to travel alone with some guy who’s not your relative, for example. We women have to work a little harder and be a little more creative, and the more of us there are, the easier it is to do that. Being a woman leader encourages teamwork. I find that I often prefer to lead with others so we do a lot of co-leading with both women and men. I believe our worship is richer and fuller as a result.
Mike: Excellent input’and words to live by in some respects for myself. Co-leading does bring in a sweeter dimension, when male and female lead together. I was impressed with Casey Corum as well. The whole Dwell CD has left a great impression on worship I think. Mike: How can we pray for you? Elizabeth: We need to raise up more worship leaders. God sends them, but often they’re hesitant. Also, for excellent time management, as we have some special needs in our home and it makes working even part-time tricky. Mike: We’ll be praying’ Thanks for doing this interview Elizabeth; it’s been a pleasure!