Page 6 - KOG Glory & Grace, Issue 10: Voices

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When Kalia Wall was just an infant her grandmother, Chris (Wall) Farley, remembers holding her and praying to God, wondering “who will teach her about God?” Chris recalls hearing God answer her prayer with the words, “You are." Fast forward 12 years and Kalia says, “now I know all the church songs by heart!”
Kalia says her earliest memories of being a part of the community at KOG include “dancing even though there wasn’t any music” and really enjoying the children's message time. As a rising 7th grader at Lewis & Clark Middle School, Kalia plays the bass clarinet in the band. Since middle school students have to choose between participating in band or choir, Kalia was thrilled when KOG Adult Choir Director, Bruce Erickson, invited her one Wednesday evening, saying, "why don't you sing with us?"
Kalia's grandparents, Chris and Joe Farley, were already singing with the Choir and since there was a thirty minute gap between when Confirmation Class ended and Choir rehearsal finished, Kalia said yes to the invitation. Kalia shares, “it felt good being a part of Confirmation, so I wanted to keep that going, so I joined the choir.” She sang with the Tenebrae service in 2023 and recently became a cantor for worship. In the future Kalia hopes to cantor with her Grandpa Joe Farley. With tears in her eyes, Grandma Chris says, “I brought this tiny baby and now she’s serving God.”
Kalia Wall and Stella Erickson lead the congregation in song.
KALIA WALL
"I especially get nervous speaking in front of people, but with singing, even if I am nervous, I don’t let it stop me. I practice a lot and try to be confident,” Stella explains.
She credits her family for encouraging her. Stella explains that "at first I was reluctant to lead in this way, but with the support of my family and how much I’ve enjoyed my experiences, now you can count me in.”
Now a rising 7th grader at Will James Middle School, Stella sings in the school choir and enjoys being a cantor for worship because of getting to sing with different voices. Stella notes, “my family has been a part of this church for more than 10 years and it feels really good to get involved. My younger sister, Grace, wants to sing also!”
"Let no one despise your youth, but set for the believers an
example..."
1 Timothy 4:12
STELLA ERICKSON
Stella Erickson recalls that from a very young age she listened and sang along to playlists with her Dad, Tim. As she's grown she's learned piano, ukulele, and guitar, but using her voice is still her favorite way to contribute at KOG. Stella shares, "as part of Confirmation we are asked to try the different roles of leadership for worship. Since I'm
passionate volunteered!"
about
singing, I