Jamie Biller

Precious Child

In May, I was asked to sing the song, “Precious Child” for Integris Baptist Medical Center’s Spring Memorial Service.  This undoubtedly was something I eagerly said “yes” to while also being one of the hardest things to sing for.  This beautiful event is sponsored by Integris Health Women’s Center for members of families who have lost a child.  The theme of the memorial this year was a seashell and I wanted to share the following from the Center for Loss and Bereavement:

What is it we can learn through this journey of grief?  Like the chambers of a shell we move, into different places and spaces…Searching for answers, looking for strength to live in the unknown, Seeking hope as we reach for peace.

I feel very blessed to have been a part of something so moving.  I know and feel that these special babies are forever loved and always remembered.

Recent Singing Events

Since I don’t have a calendar listing on this website, I thought I would mention just a few of the places where I where I have recently performed.  St. Stephen’s Ministry in Yukon, was the first group that I sang the “Shepherd” song for – that will always be a special memory for me!  Also in Yukon was at St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church for the group, Paula’s Daughters.  What a great time with so many women who have known me since I was a little girl!  I also had a wonderful time meeting the fabulous ladies of Concordia Life Care and Spanish Cove Retirement Center.  I sang at their luncheons honoring them for Mother’s Day.  I also got to partake in the food feast in Okarche, when I sang at Holy Trinity’s annual Red Wagon Dinner!  Just wanted to say “thank you” again to everyone for the support, fun, food, and singing!

Shrine in Santiago de Atitlan

For those of you who have never been to Guatemala, or are just curious as to what the church, town and shrine to Fr. Rother looks like, you can check out these wonderful photos!  I was so fortunate to receive these photos from Amy Aiken.  Amy’s grandmother was a good friend of Fr. Rother’s who worked with him while on mission trips she made to Guatemala.  Amy made the trip to Santiago de Atitlan to retrace her grandmother’s footsteps from many years before and has graciously shared her pictures with us!  I am so happy to have her permission to share them!   Thank you Amy so much!!!! 

The photos are on the Flickr stream, or you can go directly by following the link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamiebiller/sets/72157626221310134/

Be Thou My Vision – A Hymn Story

In choosing songs for my latest album, “The Shepherd Cannot Run”, I tried to pick songs relative to the spirit of Father Rother’s life, as well as, those hymns that have a rich history in longevity and timeless appeal.  When I looked at the hymn, Be Thou My Vision, the words spoke to me.  I thought they were so beautiful!  I’ve attached a written history about the song you may find interesting!

From: “Center for Church Music Songs and Hymns

Be Thou My Vision Hymn Story:

With its heartfelt poetry and moving melody, “Be Thou My Vision” beautifully expresses the desires of the Christian heart. Though its popularity rose only in the past fifty years or so, the hymn actually has a rich history dating back to the eighth century.

Between the years of 400 and 700 AD the Irish people lived out a passionate faith in Christ. Ireland took up the missionary endeavor with excitement, and the country became known for its all-absorbing efforts to share Christianity throughout the world. Irish missionaries were found from Scotland to Switzerland, spreading the Good News wherever they went.

Some scholars believe that the words to the hymn are the product of a man known simply as St. Patrick. Patrick was born in A.D. 373 along the banks of the River Clyde in what is now called Scotland. When he was 16 he was kidnapped by pirates and taken as a slave to Ireland. There he gave his life to Jesus Christ. He eventually escaped, but he never forgot this experience and when he was about 30 he returned to his former captors with only one possession: the Latin Bible. History tells us that St. Patrick was the man most responsible for the Good News of Christ coming to Ireland. As a result of his preaching, over 200 churches were established and 100,000 converts were baptized.

“Be Thou My Vision” undoubtedly comes from this spiritually rich period. Its prominent theme encourages single-hearted focus and devotion to Christ. In the hymn lyrics, the poet expresses his adoration of God through the many titles he gives him: Vision, Wisdom, Word, Great Father, Power, Inheritance, High King of heaven, Treasure, bright heaven’s Sun, Ruler of all.

Today, we continue to sing the words of this hymn, echoing the poet’s response to God’s many titles. “Thou my best thought, Thy presence my light.”

Father Rother Documentary

I just had the opportunity of viewing an amazing documentary made about Father Stanley Rother.  The movie is called A’plas and was directed by Diego Colombi.  Check it out at http://www.dcolombi.com/Aplas

The word A’plas is the name for Francis the people of Santiago Atitlan used since they had no word for Stanley.  They referred to Father as Padre A’plas.  The movie gives an excellent political overview of how the people of Atitlan were caught in the middle of the country’s most violent and longest-lasting civil war.