A celebration for Adele

On Sunday we recognized the ministry of our "Minister of Music" Adele DiBiagio. Adele began her service with us in January of 1980 as a temporary substitute organist. She wasn't sure if she wanted to take the job permanently and we weren't sure if she was the one for us. By the Fall she settled into the job and the pastor, Rev. Douglas Howell, and the music committee saw the real gem they had stumbled upon.

Adele doesn't see her ministry here as a job. It has been a labor of love, part of her Christian calling. This is they way she expresses her love of God and service to the church. Yes, she gets paid, but she would probably do it even without the pay.

Over the years she has inspired many in the choir to stretch and reach beyond what they might normally give. She always pushes to give 100% and the choir has responded. She also has afforded us opportunities to try new things and develop quite a range of musical choices. We truly have been blessed b y her leadership.

On Sunday we paused to give her the "props" she deserves. We gave her flowers and a gift certificate. Alan McNeeley stopped in and gave her an award too. Alan is a fellow organist and a world renown organ builder as well. He was the one who built our current organ as part of our 200th Anniversary celebration in 2000. Adele chose the hymns and the anthem for the day and she also opened the service with her own Call to Worship and Prayer. We closed the service with a small reception in the chapel. It was a great day.

After the service the Pastor reminded her that she only had 17 years and a few months to go before she passed Annie Cowen as our longest serving organist here at First Baptist. She just smiled and said "We'll see."

Cal