<html><head></head><body><div class="ydp32e62a0fyahoo-style-wrap" style="font-family:garamond, new york, times, serif;font-size:16px;"><div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">Dick, </div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">On the one hand, I celebrate your following your Heart to realize the fulfillment that Music gives you, and that in turn, you give to so many others. You are Blessed with the Gift of Music and through you, so many of us are Blessed with the Music you facilitate. <br><br>On the other hand, you will be dearly missed. part of your Genius as a director is your connection to the Source of the music and the way you tease the very best out of us so that what we sing can become an acceptable approximation of what you hear Within. Thank you for sharing your extraordinary Gifts with all of us. </div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">I am still in Costa Rica as their borders are still closed. I had a flight back to the States on June 5th, but the flight was canceled last week. Now I have a flight scheduled for July 3rd, and hopefully Costa Rica's borders will be open by then and I can return to Montpelier. There have been zero cases of COVID-19 anywhere in the area of the Caribbean Coast where I am and I feel healthy and safe. </div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">I look forward to seeing you upon my return.</div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">Make a Joyful Noise,</div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">Christen</div><div class="ydp32e62a0fsignature"><div style="font-family:garamond, times, serif;font-size:16px;"><div style="margin:auto 0in;" class="ydpeb9d5bc7yiv1153310188ecxmsonormal"><font size="2" style="font-family:garamond, times, serif;font-size:16px;"><span style="COLOR:rgb(23,54,93);FONT-SIZE:9pt;"></span></font><font face="garamond, times, serif" style="font-family:garamond, times, serif;font-size:16px;"> </font></div>
<div style="font-family:garamond, times, serif;font-size:16px;">Christen Lynn<br>802-696-2162 Cell</div><div style="font-family:garamond, times, serif;font-size:16px;">802-659-4174 Skype with Voice Mail<var id="ydpeb9d5bc7yui-ie-cursor"></var><br><br></div></div></div></div>
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On Sunday, May 24, 2020, 10:39:33 AM CST, Richard Riley via Choir <choir@unitarianchurchofmontpelier.org> wrote:
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<div><div id="ydpba95fb62yiv4225237213"><div dir="ltr">Dear Choir,<br><br>As I enjoy the energy that has come from you as we Zoom in on Music Sunday next week, I have some difficult news to share. The work required by a music director at UCM at this unusual time is no longer a good fit for my passion for in-person music making. The church needs someone with the energy, motivation, and flexible skill set to address the challenging times we are now in. Now is the right time for me to end my tenure as your music director.<br><br>My greatest value to the church has been the opportunity to work with <u>you</u>: to engage you as members of the congregation to sing in the choir, and to ensure that the choir’s level of performance is high enough to always be a positive element in UCM services. It has also been wonderful to work with Eliza, and to bring in guest musicians. <br><br>I will miss doing all that, and I am sure that I can’t totally know what it will feel like to not be involved in the way I have been but, hey, time marches on - however strange time is these days.<br><br>I'm writing to you now because Joan has just announced my decision at the Annual Meeting. I'm writing with tears in my eyes, but with the hope that Music Sunday will help me express my appreciation for my time with you.<div><div><p style="font-stretch:normal;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;margin:0px;color:rgb(0,0,0);"><br></p></div><div></div></div><div>With love,</div><div>Dick</div></div></div>Unitarian Church of Montpelier<br>Choir email list<br>unsubscribe at www.unitarianchurchofmontpelier.org<br></div>
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