Newsletter
December 2024

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As we have closed out a turbulent month, a happy belated Thanksgiving to all. The division in our nation has not improved even though we look forward to a season of peace and harmony. Nevertheless, I was greatly uplifted by the recent Capella Festiva program “Music of the Earth and Stars”. It contained a great many reminders of how over time such things become meaningless if we trust that we are only a small part of our Creation. By not focusing on our own relatively tiny concerns and paying attention to our place in that greater universe can we transcend such negativity.

Sometimes it’s difficult to see how we fit in this world as we seem to rely ever more on those immediate gratifications propelled by commercialism and the instant rewards of the Internet. Do we ever consider how we live? What impacts we make in our daily lives? How it affects other human beings?

Nancy and I recently stayed at a fairly upscale hotel in Tucson, Arizona, where we ate breakfast every morning. It was buffet style, and we’d fill our plates with what was needed for sustenance that morning. We were appalled to see what other people took, did not eat or even touch, and then left on the tables to be thrown out. I was taught frugality and how not to waste. I thought about the workers along this food chain, who toiled to bring this food to the table – only to have it rot somewhere.

At the same time, on a morning walk just a few hundred feet from the hotel, we saw homeless people living in the brush, and people begging on not just one, but all four corners of nearby intersections. I don’t think our Creator meant for us to live with such a disregard for what is so obvious around us.

Pretty soon we’ll celebrate the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ, Who demonstrated the greatest self-sacrifice, in order to teach us how to treat our fellow human beings. A sacrifice served and proclaimed at that holiest of Tables: the Last Supper; where each morsel of Bread was treated with reverence, and every drop was drained from the Cup. The Food itself was elevated, and so honored those who had produced it to be used for this transcendent purpose.

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, who served us the ultimate Meal, let us serve by making great Music for the Holy Season, remembering that we are part of the Whole, not just in what we ourselves do, but the impact we will make on others. This season, Music elevates what is already joyous. Music is the festive ribbon that ties our celebrations together. Be sure that your own joy shines through, a joy to be served to everyone.

Then, perhaps we can all feel better about our own place in these crazy times.

Have a blessed Holiday,

Your Dean, CHVAGO

John Vanderlee

Scholarship Fund News

The Board seeks YOUR suggestions about ways for our Chapter to use this new fund! Since the amount of the the bequest was quite significant, we need to start thinking big. Some possibilities that have already been suggested are:

• Orgelkids - a program in which kids work together to build a small working tracker organ.
• Pipe Organ Encounter (POE)
  • offer sponsorships for young organists to attend?
  • Possibly host a POE?
• Pipes, Pedals, and Pizza - we have hosted these in past years, with great success. Young piano students are invited to play on the organ a piece they have practiced on the piano. A basic demonstration of how a pipe organ works is presented, followed by a pizza party for all.
• Directly funding organ lessons.

We want to hear YOUR ideas! We really want to hear from you. To reach any board member, email chvagoboard@gmail.com or see the About page for phone numbers.

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