Cathy Hardy and Karen Dart

REST-inspirations from Taizé by Cathy Hardy (vocals, piano, recorder) and Karin Dart (harp) and ‘gemma and co. Produced for the Mennonite Central Committee Supportive Care Services, $22.

Are you experiencing a too hectic pace, excessive pressure, work overload or even strained relationships? Would an hour of relaxation sound attractive, during which you could center your thoughts, contemplate how life might be more restful, or even meditate on the meaning of whets happening to you? Taking an hour to listen to the newly released CD “REST might be a good start.

Produced by local artists Cathy Hardy (vocals, piano, recorder) and Karin Dart (Harp) and a group of musicians, called “gemma and co., “REST is a collection of music written by the artists, along with songs from the ecumenical Taizé© Community in France, whose prayer-focused music has attracted thousands of youth to their summer retreats, and has slowly been finding its way around the world.

For longtime local musicians Cathy Hardy and Karin Dart, this is their entry into the recording arena, thanks to the sponsorship of MCC supportive care services, who produced this CD to raise funds for their many valuable community services such as support for persons with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, brain injury, and severe and persistent mental illness.

This recording is the latest in a series that MCC Supportive Care Services has produced over the years. You can obtain a copy of this delightful CD at MCC Supportive Care Services office on Bourquin Cr. West, Abbotsford (Tel: 604-850-6608), at House of James on Emerson St. Abbotsford, or on-line at www.mccscs.com/store.

You can also hear the musicians share Taizé© music at prayers conducted the last Sunday evening of each month, and every Sunday evening during the Advent and Lenten Seasons alternating between Darts parish, St. Matthews, Abbotsford, and Hardy’s church, McMillan Road, Abbotsford. For locations and times of regular prayers contact Cathy at kateajhardy@shaw.ca or Karl at khfriesen@shaw.ca.