In the summer of 2017 I was beginning to pull together our launch team for Incarnation and I tentatively, but hopefully, approached Beth to see if she would lead our music team. After a few conversations, she agreed to do so - for one year. Nearly four years later she is still leading the team! Now before you all panic - Beth is not going anywhere; however, we have agreed that she has 100% got the badge for SuperVolunteer and we are reluctantly letting her stand down, though she will still lead music and be a part of the team and she will still very much be a part of our Incarnation community!
Beth has done a fabulous job of helping to create good foundations in our ethos of sung worship: her delight for finding new songs from other cultural perspectives is palpable, her commitment to ensuring she gets her pronunciation and rhythm right is admirable, her determination that we should be a community which reflects that we are a part of a global church is critical. We cannot find another Beth. And we love her. Please drop her a note or text to tell her why YOU think she's done a great job!
However, releasing Beth means we now need to find someone to lead the team into the next chapter, someone who will bring their own skills and personality into the mix. And so, whilst we hold Beth’s continued presence with us tightly, we are also now actively looking for a new worship team leader. So do you know someone who might fit the bill? Who is either studying or has a PT job and would like to do 8-10 hours a week with a delightful Anglican church (yes - that’s us), working with a fun team :) and a glorious group of talented musicians. Please forward the JD to them and all of us must PRAY (and fast) for the right person to join our team. Someone who can bring a fresh perspective on global worship music, on ways of connecting our neighbors around us to the God who loves us all…
14. FOR CHURCH MUSICIANS AND ARTISTS
O God, whom saints and angels delight to worship in heaven: Be ever present with your servants on earth who seek through art and music to perfect the praises of your people. Grant them even now true glimpses of your beauty, and make them worthy at length to behold it unveiled for evermore; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BCP p650
In other news:
April 2: Are you considering coming for confession on Good Friday? Let me know if you’d like to. It’s a gentle, pastoral moment with a very healthy opportunity to let go of troubling habits, and unwelcome thoughts. A moment of inviting the Holy Spirit into parts of your life which you may have preferred to ignore.
April 18: Immediately after the service, we will be holding our next Parish Meeting - please plan to come to church and linger for around 30 minutes :) And maybe then arrange to go out for lunch afterwards with your small group? Or head to the park for a picnic?
Our Holy week offering is going to a group I have known and loved for many years, Partners. Please give generously in this time of huge need, especially for the ethnic minorities in Burma.
As we worship together this week, I am so grateful for each of you and for all the ways the Lord has provided for us. I am praying for you all,
Your pastor,
Liz