Last week Pope Leo XIV issued his first major writing to the global Catholic church, an Apostolic Exhortation – an urgent word of encouragement – on love for the poor, Dilexi Te. As a Mennonite, this theme caught my attention.
News
Jephtha-the last English Oratorio by Handel
May 13 2025
Barbican Centre. Performers are taking a bow after almost three hours of singing.
By Victor Vegas
In the evening of Wednesday May 7th, the Arts in London crew had the privilege of watching a performance of G.F Handel’s oratorio Jephtha at the famous Barbican Center. The performance was absolutely stellar, containing some of the biggest names in opera today! Including Michael Spyers, the only active baritenor in the industry today!, and infamous coloratura mezzo-soprano, Joyce DiDonato. The soloists were accompanied by world renowned (and award-winning!!) Baroque orchestra and choir Il Pomo D’oro. It was an absolute pleasure and privilege to be able to attend such a wonderful performance featuring some of the biggest names in the classical music industry today.
An urgent word from the Pope
‘Even in darkness, ever-rising joy’
We have experienced another hard week of gun violence in America. For me, it has been a week of intense emotions – heavy emotions as well as joy and hope. How do we escape the doom loop? How do we stop partaking when it is dished up to us from all sides of the media and culture that we swim in?
Directors’ Corner
Goshen College’s “SST for all” makes global education more accessible with flexible study options at home and abroad.