Some of you already know, but I would like to officially announce that Bron, our Music Director Extraordinaire (we should add that to her title, I think), has shared that she will retire at the end of June 2025.
While Bron plans to remain in our congregation as a member, plans at present are for her to shift her music involvement and reengage as a supportive volunteer and participant.
I want to acknowledge that most of you probably just took a deep breath in and let it out with a long sigh. We all knew this day would come, but we hoped it could be put off for as long as possible. And it has. Bron actually first began talking to me about retirement eight years ago, and I'm eternally grateful to her for what will be 17 years of service to Fauntleroy Church in 2025.
I also want to assure you: I and other leaders of Fauntleroy Church know the value of the powerful and vibrant music programs Bron has built with the help of members and friends of this church. The Personnel Committee has been in conversation with Bron and has put together some plans. They have identified that a search committee was needed (because this task is bigger than Personnel can handle alone while still engaging other needed work). A search team has now been appointed and is preparing to have their first official meeting. We thank the team for saying "yes" to serving on that Search Committee. It's a good group with a breadth of experience that will serve us well in the year to come.
There is much more that I could share and that will be shared in weeks and months to come, but there will be time for all of that. For now, I'd ask of you two things: 1) to trust the search committee that has been formed and give them space to begin their good work, and 2) to focus our energy and efforts on enjoying our final programmatic year with Bronwyn Edwards in her role as Music Director. Come join the choir or the ukelele band! Enjoy worship in person where the sound is so much better than online! And mark your calendars now for the next Sweet, Sweet Music (Friday, November 8) and Christmas concerts (December 21st at 7pm and 22nd at 4pm)!
Right now, I'm enjoying planning with Bron and Karyn toward the lovely year that lies ahead for worship at Fauntleroy Church. It's going to be awesome and joy-filled!
God-willing and us-determined-people following the Spirit's lead, what lies ahead will be phenomenal too!
Onward we go,
Pastor Leah
