Dear Friends,
Our beloved and long-time Music Director, Bronwyn Potter, has announced her retirement. She informed her choir of this decision just prior to worship on Sunday, December 20. Then, at her request, I repeated the basic information of that announcement to the congregation at the end of that service. After the announcement, the congregation started to clap. Then something especially touching took place unexpectedly and spontaneously. Our Church Moderator, Paul Fixx, stood up from the pew where he had been sitting, and started walking up to the altar/choir area. As he did so, the others in the congregation began to follow him, until all of us were crowded around close to the organ giving Bronwyn a standing ovation. This was an exceedingly moving moment, one that will remain in my memory always, and one that will stand alongside many other special times that Bronwyn has given us over the years as a musician and as a friend.
Bronwyn’s retirement is effective at the end of calendar year 2009. Her last major services playing the organ and directing the choir took place on Christmas Eve this Thursday night, and on Sunday the 27th when we had our annual carol sing during regular worship. In the short term future, Bronwyn’s daughter, Bronwyn Masse, will be playing the organ and directing the choir in the next few weeks. The Deacons have created a Search Committee to look for a new Director, and we will keep you informed about future plans for the music program as they develop.
The Diaconate is also planning a community reception to honor the many gifts Bronwyn has given to this church and area for the last 62 years through her considerable musical skills. This will take place on Sunday, February 7 [see box on p 2.] In the meantime, our sadness at the prospect of losing Bronwyn’s music leadership is tempered by the deep gratitude for all the love, inspiration and enjoyment she has given us for such a long period of time. I know I speak for all of us in saying to Bronwyn: Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! You have been–and will continue to be–a true treasure among us.
Tony Acheson
