Last weekend I was in the balcony of one of the parishes I serve, warming up before mass. I looked at the front of the church and took an inventory of the decor: harvest display in front of the altar; Advent wreath beside the ambo; AND the usual bevy of bouquets surrounding the high altar. The flowers were toned down in scale for Advent, but Christmas-inspired in color. It reminded me of my musical life right now: a bit crowded and off-kilter, but alive!

I hope that in the long and sometimes wearying process of reopening you are finding your own joy and color. And whatever holidays you celebrate, please do join the chapter for our musical Christmas party at PLU’s Lagerquist concert hall. I look forward to seeing and hearing you on Dec 20th!