Your NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by StMark

what will your church do for music now that you are stepping down?
Do they have someone to fill in or take your place?

I only handle choir/ensemble/special music, so we still have someone over praise and worship. The praise and worship portion of the service will simply be extended for awhile.

No, there's no one who can take my place at this time--that's what made it a hard decision. I'm still available to sing/play on Sunday mornings. Just not for scheduling/teaching new music/Thursday night practices for awhile.

If I get my schedule to a reasonable place in say, 6 months or so, I'll pick it back up. For now the plan is to step away for a year.

Jeff sat down with me a few weeks ago and basically said, "Okay, you've got too many commitments. Pick one and take a break from everything else." LOL!!! My pastor is alright with it--he knows I'm really frazzled to the max at the moment. Well, I don't know that he's "alright" with it--but he's aware that I've been quickly approaching total burnout this past year. I didn't even take a break from the music dept. after Jeffrey was born, except for the first month after he came home.

[StMark]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

I only handle choir/ensemble/special music, so we still have someone over praise and worship. The praise and worship portion of the service will simply be extended for awhile.

No, there's no one who can take my place at this time--that's what made it a hard decision. I'm still available to sing/play on Sunday mornings. Just not for scheduling/teaching new music/Thursday night practices for awhile.

If I get my schedule to a reasonable place in say, 6 months or so, I'll pick it back up. For now the plan is to step away for a year.

Jeff sat down with me a few weeks ago and basically said, "Okay, you've got too many commitments. Pick one and take a break from everything else." LOL!!! My pastor is alright with it--he knows I'm really frazzled to the max at the moment. Well, I don't know that he's "alright" with it--but he's aware that I've been quickly approaching total burnout this past year. I didn't even take a break from the music dept. after Jeffrey was born, except for the first month after he came home.

ONLY the choir and ensemble?? Do they sing every sunday or just occasionally? If they sing every sunday, that will leave a big hole in your services. Do you work an outside job ?

[Cindy]

Originally Posted by StMark

ONLY the choir and ensemble?? Do they sing every sunday or just occasionally? If they sing every sunday, that will leave a big hole in your services. Do you work an outside job ?

Yes she works an outside job, raising 3 kids.

[StMark]

Originally Posted by Cindy

Yes she works an outside job, raising 3 kids.

JUst asking.... no need to get defensive

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by StMark

ONLY the choir and ensemble?? Do they sing every sunday or just occasionally? If they sing every sunday, that will leave a big hole in your services. Do you work an outside job ?

LOL!!!!

Okay.

Yes, we have some sort of special music every Sunday--and have for years. Trio, Ensemble, Solo, whatever. Yes, it will leave a hole, but we are going to extend praise and worship which will fill that in a bit.

I don't work an outside job--I work an inside job. I'm homeschooling 3 children, in addition to my normal responsibilities for a household of 6 people. At the moment, it's too much, and ultimately, as a Christian woman, my obligations to my husband, my children and my home come first.

I've been so busy since August that we've just been reprising old music anyway, so it's been a bit stale IMO. I like to keep things fresh, and I don't like doing something if I can't give it my all. I'd rather pull back, get my personal responsibilities in order, and then take it up when I've had a chance to catch my breath--and get some fresh inspiration.

I understand your questions, because I'm a music director, too, albeit on sabbatical. I really wouldn't be taking a break unless I really, really needed one--which I do.

[StMark]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

LOL!!!!

Okay.

Yes, we have some sort of special music every Sunday--and have for years. Trio, Ensemble, Solo, whatever. Yes, it will leave a hole, but we are going to extend praise and worship which will fill that in a bit.

I don't work an outside job--I work an inside job. I'm homeschooling 3 children, in addition to my normal responsibilities for a household of 6 people. At the moment, it's too much, and ultimately, as a Christian woman, my obligations to my husband, my children and my home come first.

I've been so busy since August that we've just been reprising old music anyway, so it's been a bit stale IMO. I like to keep things fresh, and I don't like doing something if I can't give it my all. I'd rather pull back, get my personal responsibilities in order, and then take it up when I've had a chance to catch my breath--and get some fresh inspiration.

I understand your questions, because I'm a music director, too, albeit on sabbatical. I really wouldn't be taking a break unless I really, really needed one--which I do.

PM coming