Ive been on the road playing gigs for about 3 weeks. Its been incredibly fulfilling (and hard too, but mostly fulfilling) to be back in the saddle playing and singing for people. Its what I love most in the world. Back home in NYC I have a part-time job as music director of a small church (Dwell Church) which meets on the Bowery. That job has rocked my world. Its been extremely challenging and extremely rewarding. Its a far cry from the job I had before, which was selling overpriced cupcakes to tourists (and the occasional celebrity. Lorraine Bracco in sweats calling me doll was pretty great) for a salary of $7.25 an hour ((yes, I got paid $7.25 an hour. In Manhattan)). Being a music director has enabled me to use my gifts and pushed me to expand my comfort zone and discover new and/or dormant gifts I never knew I had. Ive become a person who shows up (mostly) on time and gets things done. Not to mention I get to make music with world-class musicians and worship with world-class people. For all this, I will always be supremely grateful. On top of this, Dwell, and my boss/friend Pastor Peter Armstrong have graciously allowed me to be away for three Sundays in a row to tour, playing shows. I dont know of many (any?) other churches who would do that. I doubt it has been easy, and I know Pete didnt let me go without some misgivings, but he hasnt complained once (to me, at least). Thank you, Pete! Things are going well at Dwell, which brings me closer to the point of this. On Nov 2nd, Dwell church is moving, from the wonderful, vibe-y, but too-small Gene Frankle Theater, to a larger venue, a beautiful Ukrainian church and former bank (59 Cooper Square), which I hope is also vibe-y. I will miss the Gene Frankel Theatre, festooned with black and white photos of Mr. Frankel posing with James Earl Jones, Lily Tomlin, Anne Bancroft, and other stage legends. I will miss the looney-but-wonderful theater director Gail Thacker, with her ever-present cigarette and little white dog, who is as New York as New York gets. I will miss the steady stream of actors, with greasepaint on their faces and dreams in their eyes, *troupers,* yall, who bump up against us every Sunday as we assemble our mics and projection screen to prepare for worship. But our congregation outgrew the GFT (yay!) and its time to move. With the move comes a small rent increase and a need for new equipment. Were (hopefully) getting a keyboard (saying goodbye to the out-of-tune upright at the GFT), a drumkit, and a new laptop on which to run powerpoint (saying goodbye to my old, slow, Macbook). So, Dwell has launched a small campaign trying to raise about $6300 for the new expenses. If youd like to donate to the cause you can give at the link posted below (in the first comment), as much or as little as you like. Also, were asking for prayer, if you are the praying kind. You can pray for the church to serve the area its in effectually, you can pray for Pete and his family, and you can pray for me. New York is a hard, lonely, wonderful place to live. Winters coming. Send me some good thoughts and prayers and warm rays. And come see my solo acoustic shows!!! Im playing and singing better than ever and Id love to see you. Detroit tonight, Grand Rapids tomorrow night, Pennsylvania next weekend. Full dates are under the tour section of my website, posted below (in the second comment). love J
Posted on: Fri, 17 Oct 2014 17:43:56 +0000
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