St. Andrew’s Church

Annual Report from the Organist

With just over a full year under my belt at St. Andrew’s, I can report that both Allison and my appreciation for, and love of, this small parish church have continued to grow since landing here in October of 2024. We continue to explore the tremendous natural beauty of the island, sample the local cuisine, and expand our circle of new friends and acquaintances. We could not be happier with our new island home!

2025 was an interesting year for me in that the rector announced his retirement just a few months into my new tenure at St. Andrew’s. Obviously, this influenced everything at the parish; it forced me to rethink how to move forward, as the plans we had discussed and outlined in our employment talks would no longer necessarily guide the music program. Fortunately for all, we have forged ahead under the leadership of two wonderful, extremely adept wardens and a marvelous, visionary interim priest.

Several musical and liturgical highlights of 2025 included a Lenten Evensong, a farewell concert for the departing rector, several observances of significant feasts of the liturgical year, a St. Andrew’s Day celebration, two services of Advent Vespers, and the traditional service of Christmas Lessons and Carols. Several guest musicians participated in our liturgical offerings by playing the organ, trumpet, violin, and piano. New service music was introduced into the liturgy, which the congregation learned and sang well, and congregational hymnody was expanded by introducing new hymns to this congregation and by drawing from expanded resources.

2026 will see its own musical and liturgical highlights, though it is difficult to foresee what shape some of them might take. Much of what we do musically will inevitably be influenced by the vision of a new rector, and, of course, there is no way to know when a new rector will be with us. In the meantime, we will continue to sing God’s praises and make a joyful noise with courage and enthusiasm! Remember, Christianity is a singing faith, and hearty congregational singing is at the very heart of Christian worship. As Saint Augustine said, “Those who sing pray twice.”

I am deeply grateful to Palmer Marrin, Barb Rush, Cynthia Hubbard, Heather Anne Slayton, and Sara Barrington for their warm collegiality. Kinder and more caring colleagues are not to be found, and it is a joy to work alongside them all in this wonderful community.

Robert Lehman

Organist