FirstCongregationalChurch A Growing Church for Growing Christians

            

Text Box: Senior Pastor Dr. D. Gary Hogue dgh@fcctc.org Assistant Pastor Youth Pastor Jeff Goodwin goodwin@fcctc.org Community Children’s Center Dir. Colette Russell coe@fcctc.org Children’s Ministries Heather Muha Music Ministries Sally Lewis Music Coordinator Organist Bell Choir Director sallyl@fcctc.org Russ Larimer Sanctuary Choir Dir. Gregg Law Praise Teams Media Ministries David Russell david@fcctc.org Executive Secretary Carole Goudey carole@fcctc.org Accountant Ruth Stow ruths@fcctc.org Communications Karen Hogue klh@fcctc.org Newsletter Cross Way Connection cwc@fcctc.org                    6105 Center Road • Traverse City, Michigan 49686 • (231) 947-6698 • Fax: (231) 947-0457 • fcctc.org  

                                                                                                                        September  8, 2008

 

Dear Friends,

 

We are very pleased to tell you that Ruth Johnson, who initiated the Dick Johnson Concert Series along with Mel Larimer at the time of her husband’s passing, has magnanimously suggested that this series now be renamed the Mel Larimer Concert Series.  Mel’s family has whole-heartedly agreed.  In Ruth’s words, “The concept of providing a variety of quality musical experiences to the community was a vision that Dick and Mel shared.  Contributions at the time of Dick’s death simply gave Mel the seed money needed to get it started.  It was Mel’s hard work that caused the series to develop in the way that it did.  It has more than succeeded.”

 

We plan to begin the Mel Larimer Concert Series with our first concert on October 18, 2008 at 7:30 PM under the collaborative direction of Russ Larimer and Mark Puchala. This concert will be a memorial to Mel, our colleague, director, teacher, mentor and friend.  The repertoire selected is Vivaldi “Magnificat,” Boccherini “Gloria” for chorus and orchestra, and Handel “Organ Concerto No. 5 in F Major” for organ and orchestra in recognition of International Organ Day.

 

Many friends have already given memorial gifts to First Congregational Church in Mel’s memory and these gifts have established a Trust Fund to promote the continued success of the Series.   All additional gifts given in his memory, as well as funds realized from the concerts over and above expenses, will be added to the trust fund.  It is our goal to reach $200,000 in the Trust so that an annual 5% withdrawal ($10,000) will be adequate to cover the cost of these fine performances and insure the longevity of the Series.  Please bear in mind that many expenses are incurred—purchase of music, rental of orchestra scores, stipends for orchestra members and soloists, and publicity.  There are  two ways that your gift can help promote the Series.  If you wish to give to the memorial concert, please make your check payable to Mel Larimer Concert Series - FCC and put “Concert” on the memo line of your check, and if you wish to give to the Trust, please put “Trust” on the memo line.   All gifts are tax deductible.  Please respond before October 10 so that we may acknowledge you in the program.

 

We look forward to the participation of many veteran singers and players, as well as newcomers for this wonderful event, and we hope that we can count on you to participate by performing, attending, and giving a gift. If you have any questions about the Mel Larimer Concert Series as a whole, or the memorial concert on October 19, please feel free to call Russ Larimer or myself.  As Mel would say…

 

Soli Deo Gloria,

 

 

 

 

Sally Lewis, Coordinator

Mel Larimer Concert Series

 

P.S.  The second concert in the Mel Larimer Concert  Series will feature Ken Cowan, one of the most outstanding young organists on the scene today.  This concert will be held on November 16, 2008 at 4PM at First Congregational Church.  Save the date!