I'm pretty sure it's called a cabasa. A barrel shape with beads wrapped around it that are rubbed back and forth across a corrigated metal surface. It's good for train sounds too. We almost used a conga too.

As far as the timing of the song, our musical director { and banjo player } is a professor of theology and a Harvard grad. I try not to argue with him about such matters. Better just to suit up and show up as they say. How does someone join the Liturgical Police? Does it pay well or is it a volunteer position? :)