Time of transitions at St. John's - Rector's Rambling for August 22, 2021

       The end of August and the beginning of September is a time for transitions.  We transition from summer holiday to a new school year, and to the upcoming programming year at the church, including Sunday School and The Alpha Course.

We are now in a time of staff transitions here at St. John’s as well.  Programs Associate Cam Walker is already beginning his studies at Nashotah House Theological Seminary.  We bid Cam a found farewell back in July as he moved to Wisconsin.

We recently were informed that 50-year parishioner, current Treasurer, and oftentimes Senior Warden/Junior Warden/Vestryman/Acolyte/Usher, etc., David Schafer has announced that he will be moving up north to Beaverton, MI to be closer to family there.  A farewell luncheon is in the planning, details to be announced soon.

And we are having a transition with our Edwards Organ Scholar.  Jackson Merrill, whose time with us has mostly been under the cloud of COVID-19 restrictions, has been called to be the interim Assistant Organist at Christ Church Grosse Pointe.  He will be starting there in September.  It is a goal of the Edwards Organ Scholarship to train good organists for parish musicianship, and it is always sad to see the organ scholars go elsewhere, particularly when we are just getting to know Jackson as pandemic restrictions are easing.

Thankfully, we already have an organ scholar lined up for this coming year.  We will be joined soon by Abraham Wallace.  According to his short bio, “Abraham Wallace is a church musician from Goldsby, Oklahoma.  He recently was awarded a master’s degree in Pipe Organ Performance from the Yale Institute of Sacred Music, and is now pursuing a doctoral degree in Sacred Music at the University of Michigan.  Abe recently has served as interim Director of Music for Trinity Lutheran Parish in Milford, CT, and as organ scholar for St. Paul’s on the Green (Episcopal) in Norwalk, CT.  He enjoys baking bread and hiking in his spare time.”  We look forward to having him with us and incorporating him into our music program.

As with all changes there will be adjustments, but by God’s grace all will be according to his gracious providence