43
Christian guitar classes in the Valley string denominations together through music
Video
Signs of different kinds brought guitar playing enthusiasts to class at Bethlehem Lutheran Church.
YOUNGSTOWN — When Barb Jonesco of North Jackson was waiting for the light to change at the intersection of South Avenue and Midlothian Boulevard one day, she asked God to give her a sign about her desire to learn to play the guitar.
She then glanced toward Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 388 E. Midlothian Blvd., where its sign had a notice about “free guitar classes.”
Jonesco inquired at the church, and now she’s a regular at the 6 p.m. Tuesday classes led by Flo Gadd of Weathersfield Township. Gadd also was brought to Bethlehem Lutheran by the “free guitar classes” notice that a friend saw.
“For no earthly reason, I asked ... ‘Do you want me to go with you?’” she said.
The rest is history. Gadd talked with Pastor Rob Johnson, who had started the free classes after he came to the church in 2005.
“The youngest we have in the classes is 14 and the oldest about 70, and other ages in between,” he said. “We’ve had as many as 15 and few as three.”
Mr. Johnson continues to work with some of the guitar students. Classes are for acoustic and electric guitar players.
Mr. Johnson said he used the idea as an after-school program when he served at two other churches in Michigan. “Here it’s more of an outreach idea. It uses the gifts that people have. ... God calls us to use them for the greater good,” he said.
Gadd said the pastor makes one request of the guitar players: to participate in at least one service. During recent Christmas services at the church, the guitar players performed at three services, with “Silent Night” among selections.
Earlier this week, the guitar class met, though the number was diminished by inclement weather.
June Bell and Ken Fletcher, both of Youngstown, are class regulars. Bell, a member of Bethlehem Lutheran, said she “always wanted to play.” Fletcher admitted he had drifted away from music but the church offering piqued his interest.
“They welcomed me with open arms,” he said.
Those attending the free classes also share something else — a belief in God.
Jonesco, the mother of eight children ranging in age from 22 to 35, said her family bought her a guitar as a Christmas gift. “I always had a desire in my heart to play. I believe it’s a calling from God,” she said.
She attends Victory Christian Fellowship and makes almost monthly trips to MorningStar Ministry in Fort Mill, S.C. Jonesco said she stopped at the ministry while visiting with a friend and it totally changed her life, “I met God in a way I never had before,” she said.
Jonesco said the ministry is quite involved in music. “In their hymns, they speak to God, not about him,” she said. That idea appeals to her.
Jonesco said the free guitar classes are helping her learn to play and taking her one step closer to developing her own music ministry.
Bell said she always wanted to play the “gee-tar” because when she was young she liked watching cowboy musicians. Now she’s sharing that interest with grandchildren who live with her and who have come to classes.
Bell and Jonesco share an interest in writing songs as well, which Gadd welcomes. The group has learned some of their selections including Bell’s “God’s Connection.”
Gadd’s approach to her students is laid-back and encouraging.
“Playing the guitar is God’s plan for my life,” she said. “Since I could talk, I always wanted a guitar. My Dad bought me my first guitar. ... I play it daily. I basically do praise and worship music.”
The teacher has had but one year of guitar classes. “Most of what I know is self-taught,” she said. She has played with other church groups and credited the late Paul Villeco, a church music director, with “teaching me so much.” She recalled one holiday season as she was harried about buying gifts and she said Villeco told her, “You are the gift.”
She has taken that compliment and shared it with those in her class. Gadd noted that each person is sharing his or her gift of music with others and in doing so is glorifying God. “I think for each person, this is a ministry. It’s drawing closer to God,” she said.
Sure, the guitar class participants are learning about strings, notes, frets, bar chords, power chords, arpeggios and more. “You can figure it all out once you know the music alphabet,” Gadd said.
But more than that, “We’re part of the community. This is breaking down denominational walls,” Gadd said.
Fletcher also noted that the mix of younger and older students is bridging the generations. “We help them and they help us,” he said of the two-way learning street.
linonis@vindy.com