The first meeting of the task force on hymnals took place on July 16. The purpose of this group is to agree on a proposal for hymnals for our congregation for the long term. Our current practice is to use the red "Hymns of the Spirit" supplemented by the grey "Singing The Living Tradition."
We discussed some general guidelines for hymnals followed by a brainstorming session on some possible options. There was a general consensus on the following suggested guidelines:
The McKim Organ has been safely removed and stored by our organ techician, David Storey. It now resides in Mr. Storey's workshop in Baltimore where he is carefully evaluating the organ and formulating a course of action for its complete restoration. (read more)
Some members and friends of the church have expressed an interest in starting a singing/music/visiting ministry which would visit places such as children's programs, homeless shelters, senior residences, hospices, etc. To "make a joyful noise" and to serve our community. We would like to hold our first meeting after the pancake brunch on February 22, (1:00 p.m.), some ideas are to go to Christ House or Joseph's house in the Adams Morgan area. We have also contacted "Little Friends for Peace" which teaches conflict resolution to young children in the inner city about singing and visiting with children's groups. So if you play an instrument or sing or just want to visit and bring joy to our community (anyone can play cymbals!) please join us on February 22. Perhaps you'll be leading inner city children in doing the Hokey Pokey. As Richard Hurst said at a recent children's sermon:"That's what it's all about!" Contact:Perry King or Norma Fleischman for details.
As many of you are aware, the Music Ministry of UNMC has been involved for several years identifying and offering solutions to address the chronic problems with our current Gottfried Organ. The general consensus of the several paid consultants, and the many independent organ maintenance and repair experts brought in to assess our situation has been, because of the limitations and compromises imposed during initial installation in 1929, that the organ as built harbors maintenance restrictions nearly impossible to rectify in a feasible and affordable manner.
After several years of searching for a desirable and affordable solution to rectify this problem, UNMC has recently been offered an exciting and unexpected solution to this problem that promises to be a potential boon, not only to our Music Ministry, but to the Church and the wider community as a whole. (read more)