One of my main goals as a choir director creating community in the choir.
That might seem strange, since many of the choir members have known each other for decades, whereas I’m the new kid in town. But even though their social roots go deep, my actions still affect the sense of community.
One thing I started doing this program year is naming all the musicians in the bulletin. Many churches with printed Orders of Worship will list by name people like that Sunday’s greeters, the Clergy and other church staff, the members of the Altar Guild and so on.
Sometimes I’ve even seen soloists and instrumentalists named, especially if they are guest instrumentalists.
But what I have literally NEVER seen in all my years subbing my way across God’s good earth, is the choir members named!
Never, that is, until my current church. Last fall, I started putting the “Music Ministry Team” (choir plus whomever else is participating that Sunday) on the back page of the bulletin, along with groups like the ushers.
It only takes a couple of minutes since I have a basic list, and then I add or subtract as necessary. And, of course, it’s not always 100% accurate because life happens.
But this extra step is worth it, because it underlines the importance of every musician’s contribution to the service, and it highlights that we are a team.
A team walking together, one step at a time, one bulletin at a time.
