Traditional Music Ministries

Thomas M. Brantigan

The "Tradition" moves forward, supporting the mission of Central, as it has done for many years here and for centuries in the greater community of Christ. J.S. Bach signed all his manuscripts with "Soli Deo Gloria" - To God Alone be Praise!

My personal blessing and ministry is to work through the Chancel Choir and their ministry to the "traditional" congregation and service. We rehearse each week; we pray together; we worship together; we lead the congregation in praise of God. We are the longest running small group at Central. Then again, calling the Chancel Choir a "group" ignores the fact that it is a group of individuals all very committed to Christ. There is Gene Ball, the life of the bass section, wonderful talent, and tremendous personality. There is Bill and Dee Zimmer who kept the music distributed, filed, and always ready. There is Marilou Denisch who willingly took over the music duties when the Zimmers had to temporarily drop out. There is Niles Ellingson, the rock of the tenor section. There is the Harp family, contributing sopranos and tenors to the group, soloists - even a children's chorus for the Christmas Concert. Christine Harp has retired from the choir this year and will be sorely missed. There is Amy Killian who brings such talent to the alto section and also to the keyboard when she is needed. There are the Nelsons, Betsy and Steve, who participate in so many different ways. There is Rich Reichley who supports the bass section but also the spirituality of the choir. There are Bob and Joan Smith, Jan Turnbaugh, Carolyn Smoes, Dana, Joanne, Arlene, Barb, Jeannie - I can't name them all but I certainly love them all! Then there are those who join us for special events like Mike and Chrissy Hoffner. The list goes on.

Then, special among special, I think of and thank Jay Biddison and Ruth Williams who reigned supreme at the keyboard for so long that we have an annual retirement party for them!

The most special among special disciple of Christ is Carol Corey, the real life behind the Chancel Choir and just about anything else that relates to "traditional" music at Central.

It has been a wonderful year for the Choir and its ministry as we have watched the numbers of the 11:00 am service grow. (Being "traditional", I still talk of the 11:00 am service even though it is held at 10:00 am! If anything, moving the time slot of the service has helped rather than hindered!) We have sung music from just about every period in church music history - from Bach to Duke Ellington. Special events include the performance of the Brahms Requiem that raised over $3,000 for Habitat for Humanity and the Festival of Christmas Brass concert.

New this year is the Sundays at Central concert series, spearheaded by Carol Corey, Phil Munds and their team. The mission of the series is to bring people into the church that might not otherwise come; to help them take the first step toward a relationship with Christ.

The most important new addition to the program this year is our organist Bryan Rowe. Bryan is an incredible talent. I smile every time I hear him play. We all marvel at the sensitivity of his playing, laugh at his humor, and cheer his virtuosity. For us, Bryan is an example of God being alive and making things happen at Central. We are blessed.

Finally, we are thankful for George and his leadership. What impresses us the most is his ability to bring things and people together into new experiences. We remember particularly the Taize service on Thanksgiving Eve.

Mostly, we thank God for our blessings and talents and thank you, the congregation for your support of our efforts. -- Soli Deo Gloria