No triumphant farewell, no grand gesture. Instead, a silent prayer set to music. Music accompanied the retirement of Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider—with a song composed especially for the occasion.
The very first lines set the mood: “May God’s favour settle like gentle dew, falling softly over you.”
Composer Walter Cupido recalls the daunting task he faced: how does one write a song for a Chief Apostle whose ministry has touched the lives of millions of people over many years?
The answer turned out to be surprisingly simple. Instead of a grand work, he deliberately opted for a sedate melody carried by a soft and simple harmony that would allow the lyrics to shine and create space for thanks, love, appreciation, and well-wishes.
The lyrics were written by Rodger Hughes, who above all aimed to enhance the serene character of the music. As he worked on the lyrics, he thought of qualities that had struck him time and again in Jean-Luc Schneider: his humility, his open interaction with the members, and his candid admission that he does not have all the answers. “He rejected any form of elevation in status,” explains Hughes.
Walter Cupido and Rodger Hughes are both from congregations in Cape Town. For many years, they have been dedicating much of their time and musical talents to the work of the Church. They serve on the NACSA Composers’ Work Group, established in 2003, which has produced numerous musical works that have touched the hearts of people around the globe.