Welcome, Dr. Douglas-Jayd Burn!

by the Rev. Noah H. Evans, Rector

Dear Friends:

I am excited to announce that Dr. Douglas-Jayd Burn has accepted our offer to serve as Organist and Choirmaster. Douglas is a native of Richmond, Virginia where he grew up attending an Episcopal Church. He has a Bachelor of Music from Virginia Commonwealth University, a Masters in Piano Performance from the Hartt School and Doctor of Music in Piano Performance from University of Arizona. He currently serves as the Director of the Pittsburgh Compline Choir and the Organist and Music Director of Sixth Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh. He has extensive experience with organ, piano and choral conducting. I am thrilled that he will be joining us to help to lead us in music and song, and provide leadership for our 10:45AM music activities. He will begin serving with us on Sunday, June 16.

We had an excellent and diverse candidate pool for this position. I am grateful for the about 20 people in our parish who helped with this search and hiring process in various ways, including to help interview, audition or serve in candidate mini-choirs. It was a wonderful process!

Our Interim Organist and Choir Director Jonathan Wooding’s last Sunday is Sunday, May 19. We have been so blessed by Jonathan’s incredible talents as a musician and his kind pastoral presence this last year. After the summer, Jonathan intends to remain in the congregation as he finds ways to serve in our music ministry as a volunteer. I am deeply grateful for the passion and time he has given us.

Beginning in June, Deacon Jean Chess will be moving to “retired” status as Deacon at St. Paul’s. She will continue to be a part of the life of our parish, and will not be serving each week or regularly coordinating any ministries. She will continue to occasionally make pastoral visits and serve liturgically. We have been so blessed by Jean’s ministry at St. Paul’s over the last four years, including her coordinating of Lay Eucharistic Visitors, participating in our regular service at Friendship Village and Providence Point, helping to lead Children’s Chapel music each week and being an important pastoral and liturgical presence in our worship. I am grateful for her presence among us, and count her as a friend.

We are so blessed to have a dynamic community, full of so many gifts and talents. I am grateful for our continued life together growing in God’s love and service.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Peace,

The Reverend Noah H. Evans