This Week from Mitch

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I have come to call English Morris a friend. For the past 36 years serving at St. Martin's, he has embodied what it means to be a church musician. He loves the Lord and he loves his choir. At our staff meeting this week English shared that being a musician is more than a profession, it is an identity, who he is. For countless services, funerals, weddings, confirmations, evensongs, and morning prayers, English has graced St. Martin's with his music. I am grateful for him.

One of those services is Jazz Mass. What started for him as an idea 23 years ago is still happening today. This Sunday English will lead the choir in his final Jazz Mass as St. Martin's organist and choir director. Please consider this an invitation to come and worship, to enjoy the music, and to celebrate English's ministry with us. It will be a fun, beautiful, and uplifting service.

The next Sunday, the 24th, will be English's last Sunday as St. Martin's organist. Please come and join us for worship. Following the 10:30 am service a beautiful reception has been prepared, and all are welcome. Because so many of you have asked, please know that a love offering is being collected in English's honor. Click here to give to it.

I am delighted to say that while I will miss English's music, I will not have to miss English's presence. He and Harriet have no intention of leaving St. Martin's. They get to bring grandchildren to church, teach Sunday school, worship, and yes, when they want to, sleep in. It's a new chapter for them and new chapters should be celebrated. Rites of passage happen at every stage of our lives. From our first job to the first time we drive a car, life is filled with transitions. Retirement is one of many. So in this letter may I be the first to say, English and Harriet thank you for your service to St. Martin's. Thank you both for your friendship and congratulations on your retirement. God Bless you both!

In Christ,

Mitch