Ekklesia was first conceived as a piece for choir with original text by Andy Wilkinson. The title (pronounced in English as eh-KLEE-zee-uh, or in the original Greek as eh-klay-SEE-ah), refers to a place where people would assemble for a common purpose—perhaps to think, to pray, or to debate. Here, in this piece, we gather simply to sing, to make music, and to celebrate our togetherness while we can.

EKKLESIA
By Andy Wilkinson

Here we are, the final measure
Before tonight turns yesterday
We will leave forever better
As we go our separate ways.

We have gathered, one and another
For this moment, for this song
Voices joining all together
Now the many become the one.

Ekklesia! Ekklesia!
We are each part of the other.
Ekklesia! Ekklesia!
And every other is part of us.

(As we go… as we go…)