A lively spiritual crowd gathered at the Presbyterian Church of Jackson Hole on Sunday for an ecumenical music-filled service.

As light streamed in through the windows and the leaves on the trees swayed softly in the distance, Kenny Hadden and Ben Pascal strummed their acoustic guitars along to spiritual songs and hymns.

The congregations represented at the service included the Presbyterian Church, Tribe, First Baptist Church and Ridgelife Church. The event drew a crowd of about a hundred from around the valley.

It was the third time the Presbyterian Church arranged what is becoming an annual event, though this particular night had the most collaboration thus far.

Hadden said gathering for song, especially for a span longer than the traditional service, is an important part of expressing and experiencing spirituality.

How truly wonderful and delightful to see brothers and sisters in unity, said Brian Hunter, lead pastor of Tribe, as he took the stage.

Danny Weber, one of the musicians with the Presbyterian congregation, said the service was a reminder that the Presbyterian church is not alone in fighting the battle.

Every congregation worships a little different, he said, and to put them all in the same room, you feel that energy.

Melissa Elliott was born and raised in Jackson and has attended church since she was a young girl. She said that music binds people together with the common goal of worship.

Although she has been going to college at the University of Denver for the past two years, she was home for one week this summer, just long enough to make it to the service.

Im on this journey of looking at how different people worship in different ways, and it was really special for me to see all these other churches that sometimes feel divided, she said. Were all in our little corners, and its great to break those barriers, especially in these times where we tend to build walls and separate ourselves as people.

This kind of group setting was so powerful to have, to not feel so lost, she said.

A music-filled service like the one on Sunday can serve to break the barriers that sometimes divide Christian communities, said Pascal, senior pastor at the Presbyterian Church.

Its cool to show that we can get together and we have unity in Christ, in our belief in Jesus, and music is an avenue to share that, he said. If I got up and preached a sermon like I normally do, maybe that wouldnt resonate in some of the other churches, and likewise if some of their pastors came up and preached.

For Pascal, coming together with Christian congregations around the valley was especially meaningful and a bit nostalgic. Many of his friends met as young adults trying to make it in Jackson as ski bums in their 20s.

Now they find themselves older and growing more meaningful roots in Jackson Hole. Still, they remain connected, even if they worship in different places.

While children played outside, inside, their parents tapped their feet to the music.

By the time communion rolled around the room was immersed in thoughtful prayer.

Its awesome to just kind of go after it together, said Ray McDaniel, lead pastor at First Baptist. Do good, seek peace, go after it. But to do it together is nice.

It feels like a family.

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Spirituality through song - Jackson Hole News&Guide