Greetings from Jun Kim, Director of Music

Greetings St. John’s,

I am truly blessed to be serving God with the warm and welcoming community of St. John’s. The path that led me to you was filled with remarkable stories. As we journey together, I believe we will learn of even more stories, and realize His ultimate purpose.

As your Director of Music, I am charged with the awesome task of leading the Music Ministry through these unsettling and turbulent times. My years at St. John’s, Oakland CA, have taught me a great deal about leading a fine music program, however, I believe no amount of training and experience can prepare one to deal with the crises we are experiencing today.

Our Music Ministry is currently in limbo as much deserved celebration of Dr. Steve Finch’s spectacular tenure has not yet taken place, furthermore, the opportunity to have in-person worship with spirited praise seems to be in the distant future. It feels as though the pandemic has muffled the voices that need singing out more than ever. Can we have spiritually fulfilling worship while ensuring the safety of our community? Is there any hope? I believe we can. I believe there is. I believe together we can turn fear into hope, and confinement into opportunity for growth.

Since the beginning of my interview process, I have been formulating plans for St. John’s Music Ministry for the period of confinement as well as that of post-pandemic. I have also integrated to the plan, the suggestions presented by St. John’s staff and the Director of Music Search Committee. I now invite the entire community of St. John’s to the process.

Using the link to Doodle Scheduling Poll listed below, please sign-up for the time/date that fits your schedules for Zoom Video Conference. Prior to the start of each session, emails will be sent out with information needed to join the conference. In promoting productive and engaging discussion, I have listed 5 groups for participation. Multiple sessions are offered for each group so that everyone will have a chance to attend. Even though all the meetings will have the same overall goal, specific issues will be discussed according to each group’s needs. I encourage you to participate according to your interests, but please bear in mind that you need not be a participant of the group in order to join the discussion.

1. Adult Choir, Pro Singers, and Music Staff: https://doodle.com/poll/b3uumspzx5rehtmm
2. Youths(18 years of age and under) and Parents: https://doodle.com/poll/vua7dvpfxmy6u26z
3. Handbell Choir: https://doodle.com/poll/yc7qafguv7eu4qfy
4. Musical Instrumentalists: https://doodle.com/poll/vy4i5qyhtc3yssny
5. Congregation and distant St. John’s members: https://doodle.com/poll/vxrbdant5fkaixqc

I stress the importance of your participation in these discussions for the finalization of the plan will require your ideas, suggestions, concerns, and feedbacks. Should you have reasons for not participating in the video conference, please email me at [email protected].

Gratefully,

Jun Kim
Director of Music