Dear UUCF Family,
With mixed emotions I am sharing a letter with news from Mark Vogel:
I am writing to let you know that my family and I will be moving away at the end of this current church year. After our son, Spencer, finishes 8th grade in early June, we will be relocating to Houston, TX, where my partner, Scott, has a wonderful new job leading the editorial staff of the top-selling magazine in his hometown: Houstonia Magazine, a city publication that he founded just last year with his sister. I am terribly sad at the thought of leaving this beloved community. But at the same time, I am exceedingly proud of the work we have accomplished together over the past seven years that I have been your Director of Music & Arts, and I'm excited for the new adventures ahead for my family and me.
I am so very grateful for the opportunities I have had to grow my artistry as a musician and director in such a supportive environment. I am indebted to my amazing colleagues who have encouraged me to grow, and to my esteemed predecessor, Judy Harrison, who built such a rich culture for music and the arts here, and to the wonderfully talented musicians in this congregation that I have had the pleasure to collaborate with. It is truly a beautiful community we have here at UUCF, and I'm honored to have been a part of it. And I am confident that your next director will take you in exciting new directions!
In the meantime, I will treasure these next few months together with this community that I love so dearly, and that has shown me so much love in return. There is still a lot of singing to do between now and June. Let's make the most of it!
--Mark
Like many of you, I'm having trouble imagining how we will do it without Mark! He brings so much love and creativity and wisdom to his work with us. He is a minister of music in the best sense I understand that. He helps us experience and participate in music in a way that makes us more whole.
There will be time for many more words of appreciation. (Our celebration of Mark's ministry with us will be on the weekend of May 31-Jun. 1.) I will be working with lay leaders to sort out our next steps and will keep you posted about our plans. And as always, I welcome your questions and ideas.
So let us congratulate Mark on the exciting new opportunities ahead for him and his family, as we continue to enjoy his time with us these next few months.
Yours,
Mary Katherine
