Kauffman brings music, minstry to Holy Family
By MIKE KONVICKA mkonvicka@journal-spectator.com

David Kauffman brings his 'Good For The Soul Muisc" Concert to the Holy Family Catholic Church in Wharton on Aug 8 with a 7 p.m. concert

Singer-songwriter David Kauffman brings his style of inspirational music and ministry to the Holy Family Catholic Church on Aug. 8.

Kauffman, who calls San Antonio home, is the founder of "Good For The Soul Music" and has given over 1,000 concerts, youth rallies and parish retreats.

He has performed for Pope John Paul II and over a million and a half people at World Youth Days in Paris and Denver.

Kauffman's passion is to offer music and spiritual reflections that will help people experience God's embrace in everyday life.

"It's more of an evening of prayer," said Kauffman. "A lot of my music is communal."

He loves the small congregation atmosphere.

"I love doing concerts in small towns," said Kauffman. "There is a unique sincerity among people in small communities.

"They tend to care for each other in great ways and mean what they say. To come in and do what I do like these, it just makes the night that much richer. It maintains the prayerful spirit throughout the evening."

Kauffman said each night is different.

"The story always takes different twists and a combination of art and science ," said Kauffman.

"We plan songs that we want to do and the spirits takes us into the kind of delivery of those and add peace to it."

There will also be story telling which connects with the congregation instead of on a one-on-one basis.

"What we hope for is that kind of connection that you just can't get on listening from a record in a car," said Kauffman, who has been involved in this type of program for 20 years but has been making the circuit for eight years.

"It's a blessing that folks call and want us come to their church," said Kauffman.

Kauffm-an will be joined by Hannah Beck who will play the cello. She has family ties in Wharton.

And it's for all ages.

"Kids who come should enjoy it," said Kauffman.

He had recorded several albums, which will be available during the program.

He has transformed the "Morning Offering" prayer into a beautiful meditative song called, "I Will Make This Day My Prayer." The Magnificent from Luke 1:46-55 is sung as a congregational song entitled, "Behold," the title song of his album, Behold, a collection of hymns and psalm settings for Sunday worship.

His "Be Still" and "Surrender" albums are filled with quiet reflection music, and are used by people who care for the sick, the homebound, and hospice patients, as well as RCIA sessions and retreat settings

The newest album, "Follow Me," contains music that speaks to the call to discipleship.

This CD is a companion to the "Behold" CD, bringing choral voices to fill the air with God's praise and the desire to follow God's lead.

The concert, which starts at 7 p.m. is free of charge but there will be a free will offering collected.

Then from 8:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Kauffman will hold a journaling workshop for adults.

"It's an ancient form of contemplation and prayer," said Kauffman. "We'll let story, scripture and song create a path way to contemplation."

"It's a way of gently being invited into an action that God is calling us to in our life. It's really amazing things happen when people allow the spirit to do."

For more information on the concert, contact Sharon at 282- 9646

Check the Web site at www. davidkauffman.com.