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View Full Version : Intro - Sharon Sutherland from Pt. Charlotte, FL



FirstPresMusic
06-08-2007, 03:53 PM
Greetings from sunny and beautiful southwest Florida where we're enjoying a much-needed rain shower (actually, we need about 40" to help with the current drought).

I am the Music Team Leader at First Presbyterian Church. We have a 9 a.m. "contemporary" service that is really a blended service, and an 11 a.m. "traditional" service that is also pretty much a blended service but with all the formal "markers."

Our additional challenge is that the average age of our congregation is 71 years of age! YEP! But with a great following of folks who love the contemporary music and style. I'm one of the "young folks" as a Baby Boomer, and we're bringing in more of the young families groups as we get back into our Education Building that got wiped out in 2005 by Hurricane Charley.

I come with more years than I'd like to admit in Christian worship--from southern gospel to celebration praise to blended, formal and more. I'm excited to eavesdrop on some of you and steal great ideas!

The church is recovering from losing a minister, former minister of Worship and Arts, Youth and Children's Coordinator, another minister of worship...well, they have come along and we're healing quite well, now, thank you! And Thank the Lord! We now have a terrific, god-infused pastor, a Family Ministries Pastor who has held down the fort through much of the turmoil and can do about anything, and a great bunch of people who are supportive. Because of the demographics, we have a LOT, of course, who have "been there done that" and just want to be ministered "to" each week, so our challenge is engaging them in worship.

SO....I'm looking forward to "lurking" a bit to pick up some great ideas!

Thanks for the community!

fmckinnon
06-08-2007, 04:08 PM
Hey Sharon -

Good to have you here! I remember that Hurricane - a group from our town sent a big truckload of relief stuff down there to Port Charlotte.

Sounds like you are doing a good thing - honoring the tradition of the "71 average age" folks, yet (and wisely) bringing in some of the new as well so that the church doesn't completely die off w/ the 71+ crowd in the next couple of decades.

Jump right in, and if you can - spread the word!
God bless,
Fred