To the people of St. Michaels,

What a joy it has been to serve in music ministry and worship with you for these past 7 years. I am both humbled and excited to be stepping into the position of music director at a time when we can finally begin to restart some of the musical activities that we have so sorely missed through the pandemic. Just this week, the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago has released more guidelines allowing for increased safe musical activities in our worship services.

Things to look forward to:

· A return of the prayer books and hymnals in the pews! The words of the hymns contain powerful messages of God’s love and grace. Although full congregational singing is not yet permitted, congregants are welcome to hum along as music is sung or played. I would encourage you to read the words and sing along in your hearts and minds.

· The Choir is coming back! A choir of up to four fully vaccinated people may sing together at an indoor worship service, with all singers wearing a well-fitting mask, and distanced at least 6 feet from any other person.

· Up to 15 singers, regardless of vaccine status, may rehearse and sing together outdoors so long as all are masked and distanced at least 6 feet away from any person.

· A choir of fully vaccinated singers may rehearse and record in an empty, well-ventilated church as long as all singers wear a well-fitted mask and maintain 6 feet distance from one another.

· New opportunities for Brass and woodwinds: Vaccinated brass and woodwind instrumentalists with appropriate coverings for the bell of the instrument and appropriate face masks may play indoors or outdoors as long as 6 feet distance is maintained.

How to get involved?

We are in immediate need of singing volunteers to help lead our hymns for Sunday worship! If you would be interested in signing up for a Sunday to sing, please email me at . I will be reaching out to all former choir members to set up an informal meeting where we will discuss options for rehearsals and start putting together a schedule of singers.

The Bell choir continues this summer and we are accepting new members! We have over an octave of bells yet unplayed waiting for you to ring them! People of all ages and musical abilities are welcome. The Bell choir meets Saturday mornings 9:15-10:05am.

Special Outdoor Children’s Choir- On Sunday June 13th, the children of St. Michaels are invited to sing Bring Forth the Kingdom as the offertory for the 10:00am service. Kim and I will send out a practice track and music and we will rehearse it with the summer Sunday School class at 9:40am on Sunday June 13th in the atrium to go through the song before service. All singers must be masked and distanced and we will use a microphone to project the sound into the church.

With a grateful heart and spirit, I invite you to into this new season of worship together as we make a joyful noise to the Lord!

Many blessings,

Sara Torbeck