A New Chapter in the Music Ministry of St. Michael's

Approximately eighteen months ago, in anticipation of Andrew Walker's retirement after 45 years of faithful service, St. Michael's began a prayerful search for our next Director of Music.

A search committee of seven parishioners, together with me, undertook a nationwide search that attracted candidates from across the country, including California, Arizona, Texas, New York, Wisconsin, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Florida. We reviewed resumes, read thoughtful responses to committee questions, conducted Zoom interviews, and welcomed finalists for in-person visits.

Throughout this process, we continually sought God's guidance, praying for wisdom, discernment, and clarity. We were not simply looking for a highly qualified musician. We were seeking the person God was calling to help lead the worship and musical life of St. Michael's for years to come.

Many of you have faithfully prayed for this search over the past eighteen months. Thank you. I genuinely believe those prayers helped guide this process, and I am deeply grateful for the way our congregation has entrusted this important decision to God's leading. Your prayers have been a vital part of this journey.

I am delighted to share that the Search Committee unanimously discerned God's call to one particular candidate to become the next Director of Music at St. Michael's. While I am not yet able to announce his name or share his biography, I can tell you that he brings more than twenty-five years of experience in church music ministry, along with exceptional creativity, leadership, and a deep love for worship. He is an accomplished musician, an experienced choir director, and someone who understands the vital role music plays in drawing people into the presence of God.

We believe he possesses the gifts, vision, and heart to build upon the remarkable foundation Andrew has established while also helping lead us into an exciting new chapter of ministry. The Search Committee was particularly impressed by his ability to honor tradition while embracing creativity, his passion for congregational singing, and his commitment to excellence in worship.

Even more importantly, throughout the interview process we were impressed not only by his professional qualifications, but by his faith, character, humility, and genuine warmth. The Search Committee and I have had the privilege of spending time with both him and his wife, and we are confident that St. Michael's will warmly embrace them as part of our church family. We believe you are going to love them!

He and his wife have already secured housing in Orlando, and he is preparing to announce his departure from his current parish later this month. His official start date at St. Michael's will be August 7.

In the meantime, I am deeply grateful to Ella, who has graciously agreed to serve during this transition. Ella's talent, leadership, and love for St. Michael's have already blessed our parish in countless ways, and her willingness to provide continuity and stability during these months is a tremendous gift. Please join me in thanking her for her generosity and faithful service.

As soon as he has formally shared the news with his current congregation, I will be delighted to introduce him to all of you and provide additional details about his background, ministry experience, and the gifts he will bring to St. Michael's.

Until then, I invite you to join me in giving thanks to God for His faithfulness throughout this search process. Please continue to pray for our incoming Director of Music and his wife as they prepare for this significant transition. Pray also for their current congregation, which will soon be saying goodbye to a beloved leader, and for Andrew as he concludes his extraordinary ministry among us.

God has been abundantly faithful to St. Michael's. Again and again, God has provided exactly what we needed at exactly the right time. I believe this moment is no exception. I am filled with gratitude, hope, and anticipation for what lies ahead, and I cannot wait for you to meet the person God has called to join us in this next chapter of our life together.

Faithfully,



VBS IS NEXT WEEK: LET'S PRAY!

ST. MICHAEL'S PRAYER LIST

Those who have commended themselves to our prayers:

Alan, Amy, Bill L., Doriana, Ellen, Eloise, Emmanuel, Jean-Marie, Jackie, Jackson, Jett, Julia L., Justin, Linda, Lisa L., Kathy J., Marcia C., Margaret, Matt F., Melinda M., Muriel M., Robby, Roger J., Ron N., Savannah, Scott S., Sharon, Shelley (Warren), Steve C., Steve (Jackie), Susan M., Tara, Tim, Wayne

Long-Term Prayer List:

Angela, Alex, Alexa C., Alyssa R., Andrew, Angie, Ashley T., Becca, Benny W., Betsy C., Beth, Beth P., Brigid, Brittney R., Bryan Family, Cannon, Carla, Carolyn, Caryl, Charlie B., Chris M., Chris P., Claire B., Colton, Connor R., Curt R., Cynthia L., Darrell, David B., Deirdre E., Ella, Elijah, Emma, Emily, Eugenia, Felicia, Gary B., Gary M., George T., Gary M., Gylla, Henry R., Isabella, Jacob B., Jan, Janina G., Jason, Jeffrey, Joyce B., JoAnn O., Joseph T., Jimmie, Joe, Joe H., Joey K., John M., Justin, Karen H., Karen M., Kathy G., Kristel, Kris R., Kyle, Lavelle B., Linda, Linda A., Lisa L., Linda T., Lisa, Lola, Lucille, Macauly D., Marci A., Margie S., Mary Lu, Matt P., Megan and son, Melissa, Martin, Nathan W., Oliver, Paul, Paul T., Paula, Pauline, Phil, Rebecca, Robin, Ryan, Sally C., Sam, Sarah, Shaun B., Sonia, Stephanie G., Steve, Susana C., Susan A., Tim, Tracy, Tripp, Victor, Will, William, Wilson F.

Rest in Peace: Jim Galbraith, spouse of Penny Galbraith

Those serving in the armed forces and in harm’s way:

Aaron D., Ben V., Bradley H., Chad S., Christopher E., Gloria, Hank H., Hope H., Jonah H., Kenneth K., Matt F., Nick R., Will M., Stuart R.

Birthdays:

4: Bob Gosselin, Charles Egerton, 5: Tori Farina, 6: Jody Maughan, Willa Kramer, 7: Graham Pittenger, Scott Shearer, 9: Kendall Stearns, 10: Nolan Renfroe

Anniversaries:

 7: Warren and Mariah Morris

A Gentle Reminder About the Prayer List

If you or your loved one has experienced healing and no longer needs to be on the prayer list, we ask that you let us know. It is a joy to give thanks to God for the blessings of restored health and life, and your update helps us make room to lift others in prayer who are in need of support from the St. Michael’s community.

To place someone on the prayer list, please get in touch with Ashleigh in the parish office at ashleigh@stmichaelschurch.com

CLERGY AND MINISTERIAL STAFF

The Rev. Rick Luoni, Rector

The Rev. Greg Favazza, Assisting Priest

Andrew J. Walker, Director of Music

Ella Eagen, Assistant Director of Music

Mike Robertson, Director of Outreach

Tiffany Stieger, Director of Children’s Ministry

Melanie Olivier, Director of Preschool

Mark T. Cole, Director of Youth Ministries