If one denies the virgin birth of Christ His death becomes meaningless-only a Sinless One can die for those who have sinned.

Jonny, there’s much more to Christianity than your point of view of Christ as sinless only because he was born of a virgin. Sorry about that.

Mark, I am aware as I am sure McCulloch is of the precedent of other stories of virgin births outside of Christianity and I’m sure they have had a strong influence. What I enjoy is the way McCulloch points out these little word things in the history since I like words so much. The Isaiah passage is misquoted in Matthew with an addition of the use of “virgin” instead of “young woman.” I think this Matthew passage is sort of important in Christianity. But maybe that’s just because I can hear Herb Thompson’s tinny voice coming over the speaker on the roof of the live nativity pageant at West Court Street Church of God in Flint. Or dang Handel’s Messiah: “Behold a virgin shall conceive….”

It always seems that the creative individual reacts to challenges creatively, by doing more and being perceived by others as doing good.

Recruitment, which is something that I have had some experience, is the task. It seems to fall around perception. So… in my humble opinion and really has not basis in fact, it must be fun to the individual and it must be rewarding to the individual. Now what that means and how to achieve that is the question. I have found that competition causes people to want to do more. So…. maybe a smaller group, i.e. quartet etc. could be used to entice those to participate. Anyway, you are the expert in music. I am just a person who reads your stuff. Good luck!

Thanks for the comments, Ray. I have used the technique you suggest. Forty years ago, good church choirs used auditions which contributed to the notion of competition, though the reason was to hand pick singers by ability and sound. Auditions no longer work for most church choirs and have been abandoned by most professionals I have talked to. If you’ve had experience in recruitment for volunteer work, you must realize how the environment has radically changed (for one fascinating discussion of how the notion of community has changed see “Bowling Alone” by Robert Putnam). In addition to these factors, I have some pretty interesting unique circumstances (not terribly appropriate to discuss publically) at my church which complicate things as well.

[…] free mostly original sheet music […]

[…] Orgelbuchlein hymns in The Hymnal 1982 […]

I disagree with your analysis on being relevant. I would suggest that parishioners may not know the music, but they would know if it were not there. Besides, “you know” and that is relevant to you.

You need a jar on the Organ which says TIPS-CASH ONLY.

Thanks for your kind words, dude. But I don’t find that many people seem to be interested listening closely to classical music these days. Not only that but music is constant in the background in our lives. I’m not even sure people are aware that it is there much less being made by another breathing human being. This is the kind of relevance I am thinking of.

And of course, my own playing pleases and gratifies me immensely(with the caveat that one always tries to improve).

I think great art is relevant. I just don’t see that many people evidencing awareness or interest.

BTW, I get paid pretty well at my gig at church. They have given me a hefty raise this year and plan another to bring my wages up to more professional standards.

You know I think I should add that I feel very appreciated in my work. Not a week goes by without someone commenting on how much they like the music. I’m only thinking about classical music which is more clearly represented in the prelude and postlude at my job. I believe that when people get a chance to participate in music (like in the hymn singing) it takes on a whole new level of meaning for them. This may sound like it contradicts some of my moaning and groaning (it probably does), but case in point was the amount of prep time I noticed it took to prepare my prelude last week versus how much I think people in the room actually noticed I was playing. In the middle of the piece someone’s child began banging on the piano in the church. I didn’t blink. I didn’t look up. I just smiled and dived deeper into what I was doing.

I think it is always important to remind people “How good they really are”. Sometimes I think that people are so involved with their own existence that they forget to say something which is complementary. Your efforts are appreciated, I’m sure. Even if they don’t say anything, have confidence that you diligent hard work does have a benefit. I remember when you only was paid half amount when you worked at a full time effort. That was not so long ago.

I vote you go wireless. Might be cleansing for a week! Enjoy the visit at the cabin with your family. I think it is fabulous so many will be coming from so far.

A tech fast might be nice, although my relationship to tech is a lot like my relationship to dictionaries and encyclopedias. My primary usage I will miss will not being able to look up a word in the Oxford English Dictionary or double check a fact or look at a map. I wish Elizabeth, Sarah and/or David and fams were going to be with us, but that is unrealistic. But I am looking forward to some time in the woods for sure.

I think that restaurant might be called the jolly pumpkin…

And yes, I’ve been seeing/hearing lots more about the olympics this year, but then, it’s so close and Great Britain is so proud of everything… everybody’s really excited about them over here. I keep reminding them that America is top of the leaderboard 😉

I heard a report on BBC Radio 4 the other morning about the music – I hadn’t noticed it on the tv coverage, but I think there is a lot of punctuation with music – they were saying they kept using songs like ‘under pressure’ chumbawumba’s ‘i get knocked down’ at appropriate moments – like playing and ‘sit down next to me’ when someone was sent to sit on the sidelines in football or something. The interviewed some audience members – most thought it was entertaining, and helped with the atmosphere, but some did complain that it wasn’t about entertainment and it cheapened the sports. Nearly over now, anyway – keep checking to see if they’re releasing more tix for the closing ceremony – apparently this is the ceremony where all the bands (including Queen and George Michael) will be playing – but ah well, have plans for a pub lunch on sunday anyway. And gliding on Monday – wooo! will put pictures on facebook. Anyway, now I’m just ranting. Hope you enjoy the rest of your holiday.

x

Mom and Dad had a cottage at Higgins Lake for about 25 years or so. I just sold it recently. Grayling was were they went to shop. Lots of memories of the area. The family has taken canoe trips down the Au Sable River from Grayling. Typical Michigan memories…

Hi Steve, I’m DAYS behind in reading, but I *really* like the TED talk. Many of the blogs I read refer to always giving credit; I like that too. It reminds me of any study…you’re always standing on the shoulders of those who came before you. As our culture becomes more technocratic & to some degree less educated (I can use a computer, but I can’t build one…etc.), I think making the connection with the founding shoulders keeps us grounded as humans & our work grounded in growth. Just rambling…enjoy your end of summer. M

Michelle – thanks for reading. I have been thinking about what this guy on the TED talk is talking about for a while. I think he sums up some stuff pretty well. Hope your summer is going well.

Call me when u get a chance. It’s kind of important but not an emergency.
David.

Glad to see you back to work.

Dan Deacon new record is streaming at NPR
http://www.npr.org/2012/08/19/158789396/first-listen-dan-deacon-america