Little changes...

So much for time off.

After much prayer, and (4) weeks actually of actually being retired from music ministry (again), I'm heeding the call have taken a new position in music ministry. It's hard to stay away.

I'm sure to get some upset emails from the St. Vinnie's folks: guys, I wasn't planning on this. It's closer to home and enables the family to go to mass together every week. I still love you all!

I'd be real easy and self-serving to come into a position where there's an existing team, and just do what worked for my previous band at St. Vincent. I'll have to overcome my enthusiasm and stick with a plan that is much less about me, and more about the community I'm called to serve.

Here's the plan: slide in - change as little as possible in the short run. Figure out what's working, become a part of the team's routine, and just do my best as a part of the team. Work with the existing folks to understand our strengths and weaknesses, building a rapport with the folks in ministry, and go from there. The best thing to find would be something that requires very little change. It's much safer to merge than to turn sharply anyway!

God bless you and those that prayed, tugged, bugged and begged. God bless all of those who have served in this role, and God bless all of you that serve in music ministry.

Updates on me

It's been too long since my last post.

Here's the skinny:

• July '08 - Feb '08 - Helping out at St. Louise, in Bellevue with LIFE TEEN. Subbed with St. Stephen the Martyr, St. Jude (Redmond, WA), Holy Family (Kirkland, WA) and Mary Queen of Peace (Sammamish, WA)
• August '08 - Bass at Steuby NW with Angus McDonell, Sarah Hart, David Yackley, Dylan Drego and Mark Grosjean - loads of fun!
• November '08 - keys at Seattle Youth Convention with St. Stephen the Martyr (Renton, WA) - again, loads of fun! Can't beat just sitting in the back with (4) keyboards and the laptop making a joyful noise!
• Feb '08 - July '08 - Returned to St. Vincent de Paul (Federal Way, WA) as they searched for a new LIFE TEEN music ministry leader. They are still searching - respond to me if you'd like a hook-up.

Right now, I am discerning a new calling - an unexpected one! It's a welcome call, but it's working against this whole idea of getting Sunday afternoons back for the family.

Please pray for me and my family for guidance and wisdom.

God bless you in His ministry.

(c) 2007-2009 by Art Leonard. All rights reserved.