Worship Blog
THE WEDNESDAY REPORT: September 21, 2022
Posted by Tony Ward on 9/21/22
Dear Partners in Ministry,
Let's talk about Communion, next season's music, our busy October, and more! REMINDER: EXTENDED REHEARSALS BEGIN TOMORROW
Between the concert and Christmas, we're going to need as much quality rehearsal time as we can get, so: starting tomorrow, rehearsals will run 7:00-9:00, extending by 30 ... Read More »

THE WEDNESDAY REPORT: September 14, 2022
Posted by Tony Ward on 9/14/22
Dear Partners in Ministry,
Happy Holy Cross Day! Today marks seven months with you (and I assure you I'm happier about it than this photo suggests!). Thank you all for everything you do.
Nothing lengthy this edition, just three notes of interest for you... EXTENDED REHEARSALS BEGIN TOMORROW
Between ... Read More »

THE WEDNESDAY REPORT: September 7, 2022
Posted by Tony Ward on 9/07/22
Dear Partners in Ministry,
Happy September! Tomorrow marks a full year since this community moved its worship back into our beautiful church (which will be celebrated in the form of coffee and Danish after each Mass). I've been around for half that time, which was a homecoming of ... Read More »

THE WEDNESDAY REPORT: August 31, 2022
Posted by Tony Ward on 8/31/22
Dear Partners in Ministry,
First things first: hello from most of the musical history of St. Noel! Monday night, NPM Cleveland held its first gathering since COVID (and my first opportunity to gather with them as well!) at Our Lady of Grace in Hinckley. As it turned out, ... Read More »

THE WEDNESDAY REPORT: August 24, 2022
Posted by Tony Ward on 8/24/22
Dear Partners in Ministry,
You know far better than I do that we're missing a lot of former familiar faces in the choir these days and, even though we're so grateful for those of you who've joined up since I've arrived, we're keenly aware of those empty seats each ... Read More »

THE WEDNESDAY REPORT: August 17, 2022
Posted by Tony Ward on 8/17/22
Dear Partners in Ministry,
Why yes, we are talking about Advent in the middle of August. But before we do, a note from the composer world: Last weekend, we learned of the passing of Dr. James E. Moore Jr., whose name you might recognize from his beloved 1983 setting of ... Read More »

THE WEDNESDAY REPORT: August 10, 2022
Posted by Tony Ward on 8/10/22
Dear Partners in Ministry,Today, it's all about the rest of 2022— what's coming, who's doing what, and how we might get there. Let's Talk Christmas!
Since this is my first Christmas with you, I wanted to get a very early start on understanding who might be ministering and ... Read More »

THE WEDNESDAY REPORT: August 3, 2022
Posted by Tony Ward on 8/03/22
Dear Partners in Ministry,August and Potlucks and Concerts, oh my. Lots happening at the moment! POTLUCK TOMORROW!
Just a reminder that we're partying at the Kuerbitz residence tomorrow night at 6 (for the address or more info, email me). If you are coming and haven't told me yet, ... Read More »

THE WEDNESDAY REPORT: July 27, 2022
Posted by Tony Ward on 7/27/22
WE'RE BACK!
Tomorrow is the first of our regular Thursday gatherings as we resume full-time work in Music Ministry. I'm excited to get back to rehearsing with you all (and for that picnic next week; more below)!
Today's post contains several important topics for you: notes about our rehearsals; ... Read More »

THE WEDNESDAY REPORT: July 20, 2022
Posted by Tony Ward on 7/20/22
Dear Partners in Ministry,
As we enter our sixth month together, I wanted to share an observation with you. I've been talking quite a bit lately about the shape of music— the phrasing, dynamics, and rhythmic nuances we layer onto the "ink" (the notes, rhythms, and words) of any piece ... Read More »