Dear Friends at UCWH,
We at USH on Bloomfield Avenue are so saddened to read about your difficulties on Fern Street. They sound very familiar, as we've been in and out of similar financial difficulties over the years.
What is really distressing is the proposal to cut the music program in such profound ways.
It is quite true that all church programs have importance, and all are struggling to make do with less. However, if you look at churches of all sizes, some have one minister and some two; some live higher on the hog than others....but virtually all churches of every size have music programs that serve as the heartbeat of worship. Including children in a serious way in this music ministry provides far more than musical interludes in the services. It teaches our children deep lessons about making an offering of their gifts of music, honoring and respecting their talents, efforts and growing abilities, guided by all the adults involved - the congregation as supportive listeners, and their musical directors as shapers of their skills and attitudes, in music, in church, and in life.
Cheryl, Louise and others made important points in the blog. I hope the good people of UCWH will take these seriously as you grapple with difficult decisions. As a long-time music teacher and church music director (21 years at the Meeting House) I know how much effort it takes to build a program of quality -- and how quickly it can be dismantled for short-term fiscal crises. I hope a way can be found to get through these tough times without sacrificing such a central part of the life and work of your church.
With warm friendship and all my best wishes,
Mattie Banzhaf
Music Director, Unitarian Society of Hartford
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