I come from a musical family. My mother taught music in Richmond city for thirty-one years, and directed church choirs for fifty years; my grandmother was a church organist for thirty years, and my grandfather as a strong tenor soloist. My love for the Church, and specifically my love for hymns and church music come naturally. I was exposed to a strong and wonderful music program during my youth at Ebenezer Baptist and First Baptist, Richmond. My understanding of the role of church music and hymnody was refined and strengthened during my college days at Bluefield, and my seminary experiences in Louisville, Richmond, and Boston. In each of my places of ministry, I have grown as a musician, but also in my pilgrimage of faith.
It is my hope during my time at Ginter Park that we will experience the joy and importance of congregational song through the hymns we sing. I will challenge us to learn newer songs of faith, while remembering our personal journeys through some traditional hymns. It is my prayer that our choir and hand bells will lead us in meaningful and reflective worship each week and that many of you will come join us on Wednesday evenings for choir AND hand bells. As we begin our first journey of Advent together, our Advent Chorus this year will be “come, child of Light” . It is my prayer that this Advent season will be a wonderful time of blessing and worship as we proclaim the Lord’s coming through our song.
We are grateful for Gerry Baldwin’s service and her agreeing to remain as our accompanist through the end of the year. We have posted on several sites for a replacement and will continue to communicate with you as it unfolds.
-Tom