This was the last Sunday after four years for our wonderful organist, Sally, and her family, Doug and Robert. Doug was our interim priest for several months after our rector's wife died and has been doing Adult Christian Education for us, wonderful and inspired programs. He has also been co-chair of the Stewardship program.
Robert has been in our choir, youth programs, acolyte program, and I taught him to knit one Christmas Eve.
They have been a huge part of our parish for almost exactly as long as Ken and I have.
So, we had a super-fantastic "Farewell Sally" music-fest: The Mozart "Laudate Dominum" and Rudder "Psalm 23" with guest soloist and guest flautist, plus favorite hymns to show off the pipe organ: "King of Glory, King of Peace," "All Creatures of our God and King," "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty."
Postlude was the Widor "Toccata," and not a soul left their seat while she played it.
What a huge part of our musical and corporate lives they have been. Now they are on to fresh fields and pastures new (a parish in the mountains of Colorado), and so are we; welcoming a new organist for the interim and interviewing candidates for the position.
Our sun is shining, even through our tears.
