A few months ago, when I announced that our beloved Organist and Choirmaster Matt Glandorf had been called to a new church position in Germany, I also announced that, with the consent of the vestry, I had asked Jack Warren Burnam to serve as our Interim Organist and Choirmaster at Good Shepherd while we conducted a thorough and prayerful search for a new Director of Music. I was thrilled that Jack accepted my invitation, after some consideration, and I’m happy to say that Jack is now officially on staff here at Good Shepherd as of August 1. He will be with us at least through the end of 2023.

You can learn more about Jack by visiting our staff page on the parish website. Jack comes to us with significant experience in church music in the Episcopal Church, retiring recently from Immanuel-Church-on-the-Green in New Castle, Delaware. Leaf through The Hymnal 1982 and you will even find some hymns harmonized by Jack! Jack is a published composer, a faithful Christian, and a wonderfully nice person. He and his wife, Jeannette, have worshipped at Good Shepherd on numerous occasions and, I feel, have already become a part of this parish community.

When Jack agreed to serve as Interim Organist and Choirmaster at Good Shepherd, he had already committed to a number of summer Sundays as a supply organist in other parishes. So, while Jack is officially on our staff, we will not see him regularly on Sundays until September 3, although Jack will be playing for us on August 20. However, Jack is busy at work already. He showed up for Morning Prayer yesterday morning to pray with me, and we have begun meeting and planning liturgies for the fall. I’m very much looking forward to serving with Jack.

I hope you will introduce yourself to him when you see him on August 20, and please join me in heartily welcoming Jack and Jeannette to Good Shepherd!

Yours in Christ,
Father Kyle