Bloomfield (NJ) Presbyterian Church on the Green

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From the Organ Bench - December 2009

Greetings Friends!

I am writing this in the weeks before Thanksgiving as we prepare to reopen the Sanctuary for worship. I look forward to this return with great anticipation. It will take a few weeks to recommission the pipe organ and iron out the choir risers, etc., but it will all be worth the wait. During this process, all of the musical plans for Advent and Christmas were put into place and are now well underway.

Having gone through this “anticipation” experience and the aforementioned planning, it occurred to me that I may only be getting half of the message of Advent. I am pretty good at preparing for the celebration of the birth of the Christ Child, but don't do so well on the anticipation side of the season. I used to do very well at anticipation. Think back to when you were ten years old or so. I think we all anticipated Christmas pretty well back then. But what happened? I know for myself, I became more aware of the spiritual preparation for the season. Did I just get too busy? There is so much to get done. If only Christmas could just hold off for a bit longer, I could get those last minute things done. Well, the reality is that over the years I have never been “done” and most likely never will be. Christmas comes just the same.

Last month I talked about getting involved with your Church's music program. I am extremely pleased to tell you that some of you have taken me up on my offer. What we do with our time during this season is extremely important. Use your time wisely, but remember to feed your spirit. Our Universalist Unitarian brethren have a saying: “grow your soul”. I think we might take a cue from their lead. Too many times in my life I have sat down after Epiphany and wondered where it all went. I will try my best to see that this doesn't happen to me this year. I hope that you do also. Celebrate the reason for the season!

Peace,
Tim Tarantino

Past messages from the Director of Music:
November 2009: From the Organ Bench - November 2009
October 2009: From the Organ Bench - October 2009
September 2009: From the Organ Bench - September 2009
July 2009: From the Organ Bench - July 2009
April 2009: From the Organ Bench - April 2009
November 2008: From the Organ Bench - November 2008