Organic Thoughts

Last month I wrote an article for the Door County Advocate quoting from the New Testament letter of James. As a reminder, here is a part of the text from James, chapter three.

…the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits. How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And the tongue is a fire.

Over the years I have made the occasional comment about the organ in our worship space. These comments have usually not been positive. I don’t really listen to organ music. I have over 500 CDs in my music library, but no organ music. All the stuff I have read on church work in the 21^st century suggests that organs are not the wave of the present, or the future. But, the other day, a loving, caring gentle member of Hope gave me a little corrective talk (sometimes I need this). This individual spoke of the organ’s history, and its centrality to the architecture of the room. I am grateful for the shift in perspective.

I know that change is inevitable if Hope church (indeed, churches of any kind) is to continue into the future. I am a music person…a very contemporary music person (I know, and enjoy, the music of Modest Mouse, The Arctic Monkeys, the Shins, and the White Stripes). I have a checkered past when it comes to classical music (including organ music) because the overt message in my music training in college (I majored in music) was that there is only one legitimate form of music (classical), and that all other forms of music are negligible. So, my organ commentary, usually spoken in my less than better moments, may stem partly from that shadow.

Joan Shiels is suggesting a book about complaining. I best look into this matter. Let me say, for the record, that I will work more diligently at honoring the organ’s place in our community. Any efforts to move our congregation into other musical realms will stand alongside the organ (both literally and figuratively). Please help me with this. If you hear me complain about the organ, remind me immediately of what I wrote in this article. You are the mirror to my soul, just as I am to yours.

On another note, let me say how much I have appreciated working with Sue Maynard. I will miss the solidarity in our work together, and the professionalism in her work in the office. We will not replace Sue. But we will explore what human resource (or resources) we will need in order to accomplish the many tasks Sue completed for Hope Church over the years. I will work with our leadership over the coming months in order that we might respond to this vacancy with care. In the meantime, I’m sure some of you will be providing service in the interim. I thank you in advance for that service.

                                                                                                        - Pastor Vance Toivonen

P.S. I wish you all a peaceful, warm, and joyous holiday season.