West Windsor residents Doug and Megan Helvering first met while students at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Westminster Choir College drew them to Mercer County, and they married in 2001. After Doug received his master’s of music degree at Westminster, the couple relocated to Kansas City, where Megan completed her master’s in arts administration and Doug completed his doctor of musical arts.
Doug became the music minister at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church and adjunct assistant professor at Westminster Choir College in 2009, and the couple eagerly moved to West Windsor.
Prince of Peace, a musically oriented community of believers, has eight music ensembles plus a program for early childhood music. These ensembles include vocal and hand bell choirs for adults, teens, and children as well as an inter-generational ensemble of instrumentalists. Though Prince of Peace is a small congregation, Doug and Megan have crafted a significant music program at the church during their five-year tenure.
“I have always been drawn to choral music because of the combined power of the human voice and language,” says Doug. “Choral music allows us to be intimately united in mission and purpose, bringing a setting of poetry or prose to life. When the message is centered in one’s faith, a choir’s song can be greatly transformative and powerful.”
All the singers are volunteers, and the choir’s repertoire is as varied as its congregants’ demographics. “We have congregants from a wide variety of Christian denominations, so our repertoire includes music from classical composers, modern arrangements of timeless hymns, spirituals, gospel songs, and even folk music,” says Doug. “Every selection is handpicked to provide commentary on the worship service’s main themes.”
Megan sings multiple parts in the choir, rings with the hand bell group, leads a youth ensemble, and offers French horn solos during services. “I’m lucky to have such a knowledgeable and dedicated musician with whom I can partner,” says Doug.
In addition to making music, the couple also serves on the board of directors of the Central Jersey Symphony Orchestra, where Megan is a member of the French horn section. They also enjoy spending time with Cassie, their energetic Cocker Spaniel mix.
“Our services include music by classical giants such as Handel, Faure, and Bach as well as modern selections by Hayes, Larson, and Haugen,” says Doug. “We will sing, ring hand bells, and play a wide variety of instruments, including guitars, recorders, horns, reeds, strings, and a Chinese Guzheng — all played by our own congregants.”
Palm Sunday, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 177 Princeton-Hightstown Road, West Windsor. 609-799-1753. www.popnj.org.
Good Friday, Friday, April 18, 7:30 p.m.
Easter Vigil, Saturday, April 19, 7:30 p.m.
Easter, Sunday, April 20, 8:30 and 11 a.m.
