A week and a day remain until I leave St. John's. I have spent much of the past 26 years in places where church music has been a high priority. It has been a privilege to work with talented organists, choral directors, and choir singers. Hearing teenage singers and instrumentalists perform in church has been a special joy. At St. John's one of the anchors of our music ministry this past year has been John Bryson, our interim organist. John has brought decades of experience as a church musician to St. John's, and he has been a genuine pleasure to work with.
Another anchor for our music program has been Joanie Smith. She has chosen the choir's music for the past year and, with help from Lynn Middlebrook, has directed our singers — a remarkable gift of time and talent. A few months ago Joanie organized a group of young women who frequently offer their gifts in church to the delight of priest and people alike. Here Joanie (with John at the piano) is discussing yesterday's anthem with the first women to arrive for rehearsal. •••
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