Church Music Ministry

My life in the church began when I arrived in Atlanta in 1960 to be raised by my maternal aunt Mrs. Lillie Mae Thrasher. She was an active church member at Saint Mark African Methodist Episcopal Church located on Chestnut Street in the English Avenue Heights Subdivision. Of course, we did not stay there long because my aunt did not mind challenging the pastor or anyone else about how the church was being managed. Next, we became members of Antioch Baptist Church on Northside Drive where my sister and I attended Sunday School every Sunday. By this time, I was 15 years old and had studied piano privately with Miss Daisy White at 47 Ashby Street (Joseph Lowery Blvd). Charlotte, the young lady who played for the Sunday School Assembly, missed more notes than she played; so, it was suggested that Mrs. Thrasher’s niece (me) be offered the position. But the Sunday School Superintendent decided, with great compassion, that since the young lady would be entering college in the next two months that they would endure her playing until then. Oh! I was so grateful and joyful to have that position – it was my first church job. Twenty-five dollars was a “heap” of money in the 1960s.

Eventually, we joined Beulah Baptist Church in Vine City just one block east of where we lived in Eagan Homes. I sang in both the Beulah Choral Choir and the Youth for Christ Choir. But beyond that, I had no idea I would become the Director of Music Ministry at Beulah Baptist Church before taking on Ben Hill United Methodist, New Life Presbyterian, Forrest Green Baptist, Friendship Baptist, Hoosier Memorial United Methodist, and a host of other appointments. One might very well say that I was ahead of my time in Creative Worship and Arts. Including drama, chamber groups, plays, narratives, liturgical dance, and a very diverse repertoire that included anthems, hymns, spirituals, contemporary Christian, and gospel was not the standard at the time. But now such things are very much a part of 21st Century Worship.

The pace of Music Ministry I managed from 1972 through 2016 has diminished greatly. Choosing to limit my choir directing responsibilities to one Sunday a month allows me time to visit other churches, substitute for other musicians or devote more time to composing, writing, producing, and hobbies.