June 2018
A Message from Tim Our Thanks to Jim Thrash It is bittersweet to say goodbye this month to Jim Thrash. Jim’s last Sunday as Director of Music will be June 24. He has served at Germantown United Methodist Church for 30 years and we celebrate his wonderful talent, spirit, and faithfulness. We will certainly miss his leadership, humor, wisdom, and kindness. His bio tells us that he has, as director of music, overseen a complete music program of vocal and handbell choirs as well as helping to design our worship services. We are also reminded that prior to his thirty years in Germantown, he served churches in Mississippi, New York, and Iowa and taught organ and church music at Simpson College, Indianola, Iowa. It also tells us that Jim holds a double performance degree in piano and organ from the University of Southern Mississippi and the Master of Music and the coveted Performer’s Certificate from Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. He is a member of The American Guild of Organists, Fellowship of United Methodist Musicians, Choristers Guild, Music Teachers National Association and is on the board of judges for National Piano Guild. He has appeared as soloist with the Jackson Symphony and the Rochester Philharmonic. His bio does not, and cannot with justice, tell the dedication, drive for excellence, and integrity with which he has worked, led, and worshiped among us. Words cannot put into perspective the beauty and power of the music we have experienced, as exemplified just two weeks ago as the chancel choir, handbells, and children’s choirs all performed. An article cannot adequately thank Jim for the countless cantatas, musicals, specials at Christmas, Easter, and throughout the years. The hours of patience, preparation, teaching, and listening are beyond calculation. He has served with six senior pastors, numerous executive and associate pastors, and dozens of staff members, and to all he has been a blessing. Through it all, he has been a vehicle of God’s grace to laity and staff alike. We are privileged to have had the inspirational talent of Jim for these many years, and we wish him and Sharon God’s blessings in this new chapter of their lives. To Jim Thrash, we humbly thank you.