How to Use Sacred Music as a Resource for Faith Formation
Lunchtime Conversation with Dr. Delvyn Case & Debbie Gline-Allen

We hear great works of sacred music in corporate worship, in the concert hall, and on the radio, but none of these contexts allow Christians to intentionally explore how sacred music can contribute to our faith and to our understanding of our tradition. During this lunchtime conversation pastors, educators, and lay leaders learned how to develop and run sessions that use sacred music as a resource for faith formation in their own communities. No musical experience is necessary. Led by Dr. Delvyn Case, professor in the music department at Wheaton College in Massachusetts and founder of Deus Ex Musica, and Debbie Gline-Allen, Associate for Faith Formation & Youth Ministries at the Southern New England Conference, United Church of Christ.


Dr. Delvyn Case

Dr. Delvyn Case is a composer, conductor, scholar, and educator based in Boston. His music has been performed by over 80 orchestras across the world, as well as by the numerous Grammy-winning artists. He is the composer of the opera The Prioress’s Tale, which toured New England for three seasons as part of a unique initiative promoting Jewish-Christian dialogue. He is the founder of Deus Ex Musica, a global ecumenical organization that promotes the use of sacred music as a resource for faith formation. Dr. Case grew up in Cumberland, Maine, then studied at Yale and the University of Pennsylvania. He serves as Associate Professor of Music at Wheaton College in Massachusetts, and is a member of Old South Church in Boston (UCC).

Debbie Gline Allen

Debbie Gline Allen is a Minister of Faith Formation for the Southern New England Conference United Church of Christ.
 
Before graduating from the Presbyterian School of Christian Education (now Union Presbyterian Seminary) in Richmond, Virginia with a Masters degree in Christian Education and Sacred Music, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in music education from Keene State College in Keene, NH. Her dual loves of faith education and music are a part of her ministry both within and outside of the church setting.
 
Debbie is married to Dani Gline Allen, they live in Derry, New Hampshire, and have two sons and two cats. When not involved in a church somewhere, Debbie enjoys reading, playing soprano recorder, cooking, trail walking, and snowshoeing.