The new choir year, 2022-2023, will begin soon, and our music committee and I plan to prepare for it by cleaning our choir room and music library.  We welcomed a new member, Kathy VanderLaan, to the committee in August, adding to our existing members: Jodi MacLean, Tim Elzinga, Diane Kersjes, and Helen Phillips. Paul Bukaweski has retired from the committee at this time in order to focus on other areas of church commitment. I would like to express my gratitude to this group of people who have been invaluable to Central's music ministry!

Since March of 2020, we have experienced a historical challenge with all the people around the world: the COVID-19 pandemic. It has changed many aspects of our lives, including all kinds of gathering habits. The scriptures encourage us to gather more often - Hebrews 10:25 says "... not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

This proved difficult at the height of the pandemic.  Meetings online and live streaming technologies have helped us, but we long to go back to our in-person meetings more often. Since November of 2021, we have recovered our gatherings almost to a normal level and we hope it keeps going in this direction without interruptions. 

Now, we will keep trying to navigate through this challenging time and gather to learn, enjoy, praise, and worship God together. Our musical activities will continue to enrich our lives, help us to be healthy in body and spirit, and most of all, give us the opportunity to express our love for our God and his people. 

I have discussed with Nick and Ellen our children's music and other educational programs this year. The children's music time for K through 3rd graders will remain the same time after service (11:30 am to noon), but we will try Sunday evening music time with our 4-6 graders and their families around the time of our youth group - 6:15 to 7:15 pm. I will prepare about an hour of music time trying various ways of learning, playing, and listening to music in our well-equipped choir room.  

We will continue consistent efforts to keep our adult vocal and handbell choir gatherings strong. Our music ministry committee is preparing a moment of recognizing some Chancel Choir members' official retirement this fall. The names will be announced later, and we will thank their longtime commitment to the music ministry throughout their lives. We are so grateful for all God's blessings at this church, and our strong history of music ministry has been one of those blessings for sure.

Please pray for our people who are in our choirs and other individuals with their musical talents and dedication, and if you have musical gifts to share, please consider joining one of our groups, or discussing with me how we can occasionally incorporate your instrument or talent into our worship planning. Your involvement would be welcomed by all and a gift to the glory of God!