Opus #793 was built by Hook and Hastings Organ builders in 1875, when Waldoboro was prospering. Today Waldoboro struggles to revitalize its downtown. Opus #793 sits in the front of the church and it continues to transform me–to show me God’s amazing presence and grace.

Ten years ago, when I was new to the church and the church still new to the building, a community leader said, “that is the church with the organ.”   Curiosity piqued, I picked up the phone.  Half a dozen calls later, I spoke with David Wallace, an organ restorer with contagious enthusiasm.  David Wallace and Kevin Birch, organist, generously shared their time and expertise to cheer us on and today the organ is restored.

There is another story line about friendship, passion, and collaboration. David Wallace gave me the courage and resources to gauge whether there was interest in attempting an organ restoration.  Organist Kevin Birch showed us what the organ could do and inspired us to get started.  Not only did we meet Kevin Birch, but we met Anatole Wieck, Danji Buck-Moore, Josie Davis, Sophie Davis, Wayne Ching, Leticia van Vuuren, Jay Zoller, Sean Fleming, Carroll Smith and others. People from far and wide flocked to the concerts and it was good. The town noticed that there is an organ in the center of town and a church with open doors.

Be the Church Banner

Recently we celebrated the 10th Annual Organ Concert. With joy I greeted Kevin Birch as an old friend who was delighted to help us. The organ has shown me that both I and the church have precious gifts to offer the wider community.  We’ve gained courage, confidence and conviction.  Just because our church is small and we struggle to do the ministry we feel called to do, doesn’t mean that we aren’t effective.  Just because we get weary or discouraged, doesn’t mean that our ministry isn’t helping to reveal God’s kingdom and transform lives.

A small church with vision, gumption, and an openness to the winds of the spirit can bring wonderful people and community leaders together to do more than any of us could do alone.  Broad Bay has a strong core of hard workers who do the work day in and day out to keep this ministry strong.  Broad Bay also has a outer circle of friends who share time, talent and enthusiasm with us.  Their support is essential–both to me and the church. Thanks to Kevin Birch and David Wallace for their love of the organ and the support of our ministry.  We are not the church we were at the time of our first concert.

O Beautiful for organ pipes/ and friends like Kevin Birch
Who makes majestic music ring/ throughout the Broad Bay Church
Waldoboro, Waldoboro!  Oh may she stand and hear
Our voices raised in songs of praise/ with laughter and with cheer.