Happy Anniversary, Brenda!

Today is Brenda Day’s 25th anniversary as Minister of Music at my church.

Congratulations, Brenda!

If you’ve not been hanging around our church for a while, a cake and a plaque might seem a little lame for a 25th anniversary celebration, so a little explanation is in order.

Five years ago, for Brenda’s 20th anniversary, the church went all out, hosting a celebration (and roast!) with speakers and singers from Brenda’s past, and lots of cool gifts, including a renovation of the choir loft wall and an extended leave of absence. It was AWESOME!

We also invited children of all ages to sing a tribute to her during Children’s Time at that day’s worship service to the tune of “The Butterfly Song,” a song she’s been teaching the youngest choir for, well, a very long time!

It went like this:

Thank you, Lord, for Mrs. Day
She teaches me to chatter and pray.
Once a week, Sundays too,
She shows me how to go ‘WOO HOO!’
She coaches me to sparkle and blend,
She’ll be my friend in the world without end!
So I just thank you, Father, for Mrs. Day!

We’ve all been blessed with five more years having the most wonderful music minister in all the land. Well done, Brenda! We love you!

This entry was posted on Sunday, September 21st, 2008 at 1:20 pm and is filed under church, metuchen. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

15 Responses to “Happy Anniversary, Brenda!”

1. Charles Day says:

   September 27, 2008 at 2:25 pm

   Julie,

   I just wanted to say thank you for all that you do for our church, Brenda, and our family. Like you I feel that music and photos speak where words fail. I can’t tell you how many times I have been moved to laughter and tears as the result of a picture you have taken or a slideshow with music that matches the theme.

   You are truly gifted,

   With love and admiration,

   Charlie

   [EDIT: Julie is blushing... jws]

   Reply
2. Deb Sorensen says:

   September 23, 2008 at 3:48 pm

   Thank you for encouraging me to continue in choir when my voice was rusty from years of un-use. Even when I could only come to rehearsals because Nick was such a handful in Sunday school, you kept after me to continue. You said that I had something to contribute.
   Thank you for all your support through all the trials that Nick brought. Never once did you suggest that maybe Nick didn’t belong in choir despite his often unconventional behavior. You accepted him as he was and he grew stronger and more conventional because of your support.
   Thank you for all your support through all my health crises. The love and support of my church family, including you, has done a lot to bring me to the great place that I am in today. I remember the all the times you visited me and called me to make sure that I knew I was being thought of. You are truly a minister.
   Thank you for all that you have taught us about God, His love, and His role in our lives through the music ministry we provide the congregation with your help. I am proud to be a member of the choir learning and contributing to my church through music.
   Thank you for the jou you bring to my life every time I hear you play. I am not a gifted musician but derive great joy listening to gifted musicians play. Thank you for the privilege of being a part of your ministry at First Church.

   Reply
3. Cheryl Lynn says:

   September 22, 2008 at 8:40 am

   Hey, Brenda!

   What can I say? You started me off when I was in third grade and look at me now – a WCC alumna, music teacher, and even a graduate student!

   I don’t think I could have possibly done all of this without your guidance, friendship, and love.

   I am so thankful for you!

   *hugs*
   Cheryl Lynn Olson

   Reply
4. Brenda says:

   September 22, 2008 at 8:38 am

   Thanks all of you for your wonderful words. As I said on Sunday at the coffee hour…I am so incredibly lucky to be able to go to work every day and do something I love, as well as work with so many amazing and dedicated people of all ages! It’s hard to believe it’s been 25 years!

   Julie, you are the FPC music department’s biggest fan! I don’t know what I’d do without you… helping out with the kiddie choirs, lining the children up, robing them, conducting them so I can play the piano (if ONLY you’d learn how to play the piano!), and anything else that just needs doing. I couldn’t do it without you and Heidi!

   Reply
5. Bill Walton says:

   September 22, 2008 at 8:14 am

   Hello Brenda,

   Bill Walton here… Julie’s brother in South Carolina. I can safely say that you have made my sister extremely happy over the years that you two have been acquainted. I thank you for that. She stands in awe of you and your talent. (and she won’t mind me saying that because it’s true)

   I also thank you for giving me a wonderful experience with the choir at Carnegie… a memory that will always be with me. I listen to the music (another group’s recording unfortunately) quite often and it brings the memories back so vividly!

   Congratulations on your 25th anniversary! Your church is truly blessed to have such a talented artist to guide them in praising God in song. Keep up the good work.

   If you need any help on the bass front, you know I am willing to come back up there… but only if we can sing together (with Julie) on the stage at CH! Ha! ( I still have my little cassette of you singing the bass part. I was SO impressed!)

   Sincerely,
   Bill W

   Reply
6. Heidi says:

   September 22, 2008 at 8:09 am

   You’ve managed to draw in all five Francos – no small feat – congratulations!

   Reply
7. Laura says:

   September 21, 2008 at 8:41 pm

   Brenda: We have all been so blessed by your many gifts – teaching children and adults to worship through music, your patience, making music fun, and your incredible talent as a musician.

   Congratulations and many thanks!

   Reply
8. brad says:

   September 21, 2008 at 7:28 pm

   Mrs. Day,
   You’ve taught us all so much and for so long. For that, you have all of our thanks. Happy 25th anniversary!

   from, Bradley

   Reply
9. Cathy Wolpin says:

   September 21, 2008 at 7:13 pm

   On behalf of our family I want to Thank You for enriching my boys lives with your musical direction and talent. You have a special way of engaging the children in worshiping our Lord thru music and at the same time teaching them a sincere appreciation of it. We are so blessed to have you! One of these days I’ll be joining you …I know my robe is waiting.

   Much Love and Thanks,

   Cathy

   Reply
10. Sanchez says:

    September 21, 2008 at 6:55 pm

    Ahh, you knew me when…

    When I didn’t know how to stay on my own line;
    When I didn’t know how to lead, only follow;
    When I didn’t know how to make the right vowel sounds;
    Little do people know how far you’ve taken me.

    But then, I knew you when you didn’t know Charlie;
    when you prefered polyester to cotton;
    when we had Rand in our lives.

    Thank God for great friends, laughter and MUSIC!

    Happy 25th Anniversary!!! and many more!!!

    Love always,
    Sanchez

    Reply
11. Karin Krauszer says:

    September 21, 2008 at 6:10 pm

    Thank you, Brenda, for all that you do and then some. 25 years is a long time and I am proud to have shared all 25 years with you. Teaching my three children to enjoy singing praises and enjoying the community of First Presbyterian Church through the youth choir program has been so enjoyable to all of the Krauszer family. I do enjoy the “older” choirs as well. I am a much better listener than I am a singer. Thank you for all you do and the enjoyment you give to others.

    Reply
12. Mary says:

    September 21, 2008 at 3:44 pm

    One of my favorite musical talents of Brenda’s is the way she makes the transition during the offertory. She plays a measure or 2 of the song just sung, then, somehow seamlessly turns that into the Doxology. Some weeks I’ll wonder how it can be done with THIS song, but somehow she always does it. We’re lucky to have her!!

    Reply
13. Lindsey Leardi says:

    September 21, 2008 at 3:10 pm

    It is such a pleasure to be a part of your choir (singing and ringing!). Thank you for all the wonderful gifts you have brought to this church. I am so proud to be apart of a church as musically gifted as this one and its all thanks to you.
    Peace and Joy,
    Lindsey

    Reply
14. Marnie says:

    September 21, 2008 at 2:13 pm

    Hi Brenda, Sorry I wasn’t there to give you best wishes and hugs in person. You know I think you’re great and a wonderful minister in our music program. You always go the extra mile for an individual who needs it. Love, Marnie

    Reply
15. Andrew Parr says:

    September 21, 2008 at 2:00 pm

    Hi Mrs. Day, Thanks for being here! You’re a great choir director, bell director, and accompanist! Sorry that I wont be there next week or the week after. I’m not mad at you guys!!!!! I can’t wait to be back! See you soon, Andrew

    Reply