FROM THE DEAN

Dear Friends,

Welcome to March! As we all know, we are in the midst of our “season” here in Tampa Bay. Concerts and other opportunities for music making abound this time of year. At the time of this writing, I’ve just returned from the first of our midweek Lenten organ recitals. Hats off to Timothy Belk for a job well done. There were approximately 40 people in attendance at First UMC Clearwater, which I’d say is a great start to the series!

Even in the midst of our Lenten concerts I remind you of our upcoming Bach-a-thon on Sunday, March 19 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. Dr. Linda Pointer is meticulously crafting a program order of great variety: Choir, handbells, trombone, flute, harpsichord, piano, and of course, organ. I’m sure I’m forgetting an instrument or two. As it stands now, the concert will run for approximately three hours (12:15pm-3:15pm). The 2019 Bach-a-thon saw over 500 attendees throughout the afternoon.

We need volunteers! Yes, that means YOU! No, you don’t have to commit for the entire afternoon…even serving just an hour or two is a great way to give back to our chapter. Many hands make light work!

Volunteer opportunities:

• Usher/Greeter: Stand outside the church doors or in the narthex and hand out programs, direct to bathrooms, and most of all offer a welcoming smile of hospitality.
• Refreshment table: Instead of a full German lunch, we will offer cookies, coffee, and tea underneath the portico just outside the church doors. We will need volunteers to keep things clean and refill cookies/beverages as needed.
• Cookie Baker: Do you have that one-of-a-kind cookie recipe that only comes out of your oven at Christmas? Why not bake (or buy) a few dozen for the chapter? Reach out to me to coordinate advance cookie drop-off to Prince of Peace.
• Cleanup: Following the concert, the refreshments will need to be taken down and the sanctuary will need to be reset. Can you hang around for 30 minutes or so after the concert?

If you are willing to serve at the Bach-a-thon in any capacity, please contact me via email (shawn@poplargo.org).