TrueCity Collective
Written by Anne teGrotenhuis (Music & Worship Coordinator at Immanuel CRC)
The TrueCity Collective is a group of local worship leaders and musicians who desire to see unity between churches expressed through music. We started out as musicians from across Hamilton who gathered together once a year for the TrueCity Conference, led by Jesse Hill. His vision was to embody what TrueCity is in our worship team for the conference, even though coordinating that can be challenging. Leo Bogle and I had played together with Jesse, and it seemed to be a natural continuation to become the co-leaders for the conference’s worship team. We both wanted to grow a core group of musicians and worship leaders that could come together and lead music well for the conference, which would mean meeting together for some informal music making to give encouragement and feedback in a low-stakes environment. We’ve both been blessed by others who also see the value of TrueCity expressed through worship music and have made themselves available to be a part of it, and as of April, almost 30 people are involved.
Last year, we met four times for either a worship jam, songwriting, or GOHOP (Greater Ontario House of Prayer) event. The worship jams have been the best way for us to learn about each other’s musical giftings, to learn to improvise together, and to make space for each other to lead. It can be a little chaotic at times, but there are also moments of beautiful, spontaneous worship. We also led the music for the first ever TrueCity Advent Service, which was a lot of fun and a blessing to be there, including a choir (I’d love to see more of that!). Leo, Sara Stuart, and I also met and wrote a song “Unexpected One” for this past year’s conference, and we added some new faces to the Collective for the Pentecost Worship Evening that happened in May. We’re also planning a worship recording session in July, where we’d love to have a large group of singers participating as backup. Stay tuned for details!
When we gather together in the name of Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit, lifting our voices to the Creator God, there is a very real power that exalts the Lord. And at a time where there appears to be a great deal of division, there’s an invitation for us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus as we strive to move forward together in faith and unity!
If you want to get in touch to find out more, please email either Anne teGrotenhuis (music@immanuelministries.ca) or Leo Bogle (Leo.bogle25@gmail.com). We’d love to hear from you.