Organ guild honors church musicians Nov. 6

Staff report

The North Iowa Chapter of the American Guild of Organists is honoring area church musicians in a worship concert this Sunday, Nov. 6, 3 p.m., at First United Methodist Church in Mason City.  These are musicians who have worked as organists, pianists, and directors of choirs for a total of 25 years or more.  

Four musicians from Charles City will be attending, and at least one from Nashua will also be present, Chapter Sub-Dean Christopher Arp told the Press.

“To date, more than 180 musicians have been designated, but the list is by no means complete”, Chapter Secretary Mary Jane Crail said in a press release.  “These are people who have provided the music for countless worship services, your weddings, funerals, baptisms, confirmations and first communions, children’s programs, Christmas, Easter, spending hours planning, rehearsing, repeating, transposing, filing, and traveling. And they would be the first to say ‘To God alone be the glory’.”

“It’s not a group that gets a lot of accolades or praise. We’re really happy to be able to do this,” Arp said.

The chapter expects to receive between 125-150 people, church and family members as well as the public, at the worship service.

Rev. Kathleen Moore, pastor at First UMC, will offer the invocation.  Cyndy Johnson, Dean of the Chapter, will give the welcome, and  Rev. Mark Holmer, Algona, will deliver the homily; there will be two congregational hymns; First UMC Choir will sing, and the bell choir of Charles City Congregational will perform.  The honorees who are able to attend will be presented certificates at their seats, and First UMC Choir will host a reception following in the church dining hall.

“For the musicians attending, I’m hoping they feel like their contribution to the church experience is meaningful and valued. We want to bring attention to the importance of church music and the amount of hard work that goes into being a successful church musician,” Arp said.

First United Methodist Church is located at 119 South Georgia Avenue in Mason

City, and is elevator-equipped.  The public is invited and encouraged to be present

to honor these musicians who have served parishes big and small in North Iowa.

Church musicians who meet years of service but were not recognized can contact the chapter to receive a certificate after the ceremony at northiowaago@gmail.com.

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