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Organ Crisis

We have had a major crisis in our church! The Music Committee, formed by our Music Minister Ed Thompson, has come up with a plan to buy a new organ. Our old organ gave up the ghost six months or even a year ago. It was an electronic organ. The new organ is a pipe organ. It is completely paid for by a few major donors. These people also contributed to our pledge drive and other ways too, so we’re not short on that funding.

But three people, and more, do not want this organ. One person objects because the process was flawed. No one tested the organ; she says that was a major oversight. She also does not like the way the organ interferes with the outside view of the Memorial Garden. Another person is adamant about the organ’s obstructing the view. She also does not like the way the Senior Minister and the Minister of Music have embraced the idea of a new organ. A third person likewise does not like the view. She finds the Senior Minister and the Minister of Music equally off-putting in their praise of the new organ.

These three people, and one person’s husband and children, came with her to our board meeting last week. This person has called out board members and the board for their support.

Now the Senior Minister and the Music Minister have withdrawn their support. They have said no one is more important to the health of our community than a disagreement about the organ.

So the organ will not have a vote for or against. There will be no vote!

What do you make of this?

Our board is meeting tonight (not our regular meeting time.) The Senior Minister will join us for part of the time to see what else he can shed on this issue. For the rest of the time, we will try to figure out what we want to do.

Favorite Places

Though I have not been to one of my favorite places in many years, I can imagine some of Kano is the same. Kano is in the northern part of the country, centrally located. The Mosque is certainly the same. The beggars who conduct themselves near the mosque are probably the same!

There are 4 other districts: the Fagge, inhabited by people from other parts of Nigeria as well as other countries; the Sabon Gari, housing migrants from the south and east; the Syrian Quarter; and the Nassarawa, site of modern government buildings and exclusive European and African residences.

And I’m fairly sure that the ancient market is the same, though updated (perhaps!).

What would I like to buy in the market? The first image shows three beads, one about 1 and 1/2 inches long, the others a little shorter. The second one shows a Chevron and a square bead.The first image shows three beads, one about 1 and 1/2 inches long, the others a little shorter. The second one shows a Chevron and a square bead.

And I’d look for other designs that imitate the Chevron shape.

What else?

I’d get several pieces of tie-die from the local people. They have amazing fabrics.

And I’d buy a couple of shirts for my sons. I can imagine these shirts carrying similar embroidery from many years ago. I’d probably buy one in black for my older son and blue for my younger son.

I would need to send one or both of my sons to Kano to see the Durbar Festival. It is an annual event, where the most horses of any in the world are shown.

The men’s robes, horses and decorations are magnificent. It all sounds wonderful!