November 2026 dean's message

Many in our chapter know that I am the organist for First Congregational Church, Berkeley.  My guess is that many also don’t know that after I leave First Church on Sundays, I attend a congregation of my own faith, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I’ve been an active member of my church since I was 16, growing up in San Francisco.  The LDS church is known for many things, among them our all volunteer clergy and musicians.  The wonderful organists at the Salt Lake Tabernacle and directors of the Tabernacle Choir are paid (members of the Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square are not), but all the rest of us rank-and-file organists practice, take lessons, buy music, and serve without any remuneration. And we are happy to do it!

Similarly, AGO chapters run on volunteer hours, talents and good will.  I’m happy to be serving as your dean, and even happier to have the considerable talents and friendship of those that serve with me on the executive board.  There is so much talent - of all kinds - in our San Francisco Chapter!  I’m extremely grateful for those that said “yes” when asked if they would run for a position or said “yes” to accepting an appointment.  If we are to keep our chapter not just functional, but truly healthy and vibrant, we do need many helpers. We need you!

Currently our secretary position is vacant.  Because our committee meets mostly on Zoom, we let AI take notes, a big improvement over the secretary needing to manually take minutes. The secretary checks and edits the minutes, then posts them to our Google drive. Additionally, the secretary communicates with AGO National when necessary, and submits photos and a short paragraph to The American Organist when we’ve had a noteworthy chapter event.  If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, please email me at dean@sfago.org.  There will be other tasks and jobs that need filling.  If you feel drawn to helping with hospitality, or nominations for elections, or helping to create an eye-catching newsletter, please also let me know.

In the meantime, I’ll look forward to seeing you in a couple of weeks at our next event at the Cathedral of Christ the Light!

Yours,
Elizabeth