After a joyful celebration, blessing, and party with Peter and his family last Sunday, we now turn our attention to the next steps in the musical life of this parish.
I’m incredibly grateful to the folks who are stepping up to hold ministries: Will Watkins, who will be providing musical leadership; Steve Peters, who is overseeing tech; Teresa Peters, Jamie Gainer, and Bob Ulrey, who are managing musical administration pieces. Nete Christoffersen, our Parish Admin, is picking up more organizational tasks; Holly McCullough will be facilitating the 9am rota; Grace Schmidt will be preparing readings and intercessions; and Sue-Ellen Johnson has agreed to serve as the Chair of the Columbarium Committee. Thank you all!
Moving forward, I’m pleased to share that Fern Jaspers-Fayer and Michael Shumway have agreed to co-chair our Music Director Search Team. They are drafting a prayer for us to use in liturgy each Sunday, asking God to help us open our hearts, and asking for the right person to be moved to join us with their gifts for vibrant ministry in this place. We’ll be praying it each week during the transition.
We are going to take our time to breathe and settle into this next chapter, paying attention to both our grief and our hopes and dreams. You’ll have an opportunity to share what about our music has fed you spiritually, what helps this community to thrive, and where more attention should be paid. Together, we will discern what God might be calling forth among us.
Next week, we will invite interest in serving on the Search Team, and from those folks, will form a group of 5-6 people. Later in the month, we will open a parish music survey. Your responses will help us shape a Music Director Job Description, which we hope to post in October/November. We will receive applications until the Search Team has a solid slate of candidates; that Team will conduct Zoom interviews; they will invite finalists to meet the choir and band in-person to run a rehearsal; and will solicit feedback. The Search Team will provide a recommendation to me, and I hope to hire our next Music Director to begin early in 2027. The timing is, of course, in God’s hands, and all these steps are subject to change as we learn about the needs of this community. You’re welcome to contact me with questions or concerns at any point.
I trust that the Spirit is already stirring in someone’s heart, and I know that the gifts already present in this community will serve us well over the coming months.
Blessings,
Nikky+