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Two PNC church choirs perform in UK churches

This July and August, the choirs of First Congregational Church Bellevue and University Congregational UCC in Seattle teamed up for a concert tour of the United Kingdom.

Stephen O’Bent, minister of music at Bellevue First, and Benjamin Sederquist, director of music ministries at UCUCC, lead a choir of 76 for performances in UK several churches and cathedrals.                                              Photo courtesy of Stephen O’Bent

Leading the choir were Stephen O’Bent, minister of music and the arts at First in Bellevue where he grew up, and Benjamin Sederquist, director of music ministries at UCUCC since 2020.

“Seventy-four participants took our conference’s message of love and inclusion overseas,” said Stephen. “It was a moving and memorable journey filled with music, connection and discovery.”

Performances took the combined choirs to beautiful, historic places in the region, including Belfast, Iona, Edinburgh and York.

“Each location offered its unique challenges and beauty, giving us a sense of the cultural differences between Ireland, Scotland and England,” he said.

“Singing in centuries-old churches and sacred spaces deepened our appreciation for the role of music in community and worship, and the enthusiastic reception from local audiences reminded us of the universal connections made possible through music,” pointed out Stephen, who grew up in Bellevue and earned a bachelor’s degree in music from Occidental College and a master’s degree in choral conducting from the University of Washington.

For him, the most meaningful stop was on the small Scottish island of Iona, the site of St. Columba first monastery from 563 AD.

“We were honored to sing in the ancient Iona Abbey, where a progressive Christian community continues to work for justice and send out inspiration across the world,” he said. “Sharing our music for a church whose values align with our own was special.”

Experiencing Iona as a church for everyone, Benjamin, who graduated from Western Illinois University in 2018 with a bachelor’s of music in instrumental music education and from Western Governors University in 2021 with a master’s of education in learning technology, felt like it was a home away from home.

Benjamin said the trip was in the works for two years. Stephen and they have collaborated for four years, building fellowship and community among their choirs.

They worked with ACFEA, a music ensemble-centered tour company, to develop the tour also as an opportunity to learn about the places where they sang. Choir members had guided tours in the towns where they performed. They talked with pastors about the churches and cathedrals where they sang.

Stephen was grateful for the chance to talk with local people after their performance in Iona about the ways music can feed the souls of those who work for equality.

The choir sang music from a diverse group of composers, including pieces by Michael  Sederquest, as well as Florence Price, Elaine Hagenberg, Craig Hella Johnson, Michael Bussewitz-Quarm and W.A. Mozart.

Benjamin observed the challenge of singing in the different churches with differing acoustics.

“We had to adjust on the fly and choir members had to be attentive to the conductor,” Benjamin said.

“Equally meaningful were the relationships we built along the way. As we traveled, rehearsed and explored together, bonds among choir members grew stronger, offering the kind of deeper connections that are harder to achieve in our busy daily lives,” Stephen said.

“The cross-congregational connections were a joy, getting to spend time with those from another nearby church, whose warmth and shared love of music made each stop even more special,” he continued.

“I’m particularly grateful for the friendship and collaborative spirit of Benjamin, without whom this journey would not have been possible, and who brought such musicality and organization to our trip,” Stephen said.

“This tour was not only an artistic endeavor but also a spiritual and relational one, an experience that will echo in our hearts long after the jet lag subsides,” he added.

Benjamin pointed out that some in the choir were singers and some were non-singers, commenting, “If you have a voice you have a song,” and encouraging people not to hold back from joining a choir because they think they are not a good singer.”

Stephen echoes that sentiment.

“Few things bring me more joy than building community through music-making. It’s my weekly honor to lead our chancel choir, which includes everyone from seasoned pros to folks joining their very first choral ensemble, in singing weekly anthems in a wide range of musical styles. I hold deeply the conviction that everyone has a place in the choir, that every gift is welcome.” 

Along with their work at University Congregational UCC, Benjamin is the director of choirs at Skyline High School in Issaquah and tenor-bass section leader for Seattle Pro Musica.

For information, call 425-454-5001 or email stephen@fccbellevue.org or call 206-524-2322 or email musicdirector@universityucc.org.

 

Pacific Northwest Conference United Church of Christ News © Summer 2025

 

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