The Church Year Kickoff is just around the corner and soon you’ll hear singin’ and ringin’ again at Prairie Church! There are plenty of music opportunities for all ages so it should be easy to find a spot where you can “make a joyful noise”! Come join the fun and be a part of the Prairie Church Music Ministries!

YOUTH MUSIC OPPORTUNITIES

Attention High School Ringers!

High School Handbell Choir (9^th– 12^th grades)

The High School Handbell Choir (formerly the Youth Handbell Choir) has been growing and this year looks to be a strong continuation from last year. The High School (HS) Handbell Choir rehearses in the Sanctuary on the 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th Wednesdays from 6:15 to 6:50 PM. The first HS Handbell Choir rehearsal is September 13^th.

Youth Choirs

Handchime Choir (5^th– 8^th grades)

This new music choir got off to a fantastic start last year and this year should be even better! The Handchime Choir is open to all youth grades 5 through 8 and is a good way for younger musicians to learn more about music and develop the ringing skills so that they can move into the High School Handbell Choir. The Handchime Choir meets in September and October and again in January and February and is directed by Brenda Starkey. The Handchime Choir’s first rehearsal is September 20^th.

Vocal Choir (5^th– 8^th grades)

The Vocal Choir provided Prairie Church with wonderful music last year and looks to do the same in ’06-’07! This year promises to be a lot of fun singing during Advent and presenting the Annual Spring Musicale! The Vocal Choir follows the Handchime Choir in the Youth Music program cycle rehearsing in November and December and then in March through early May. The directors are Jeannie Palmer and Jeannette Parr. The first Vocal Choir rehearsal will be November 8^th.

NOTE: The Handchime Choir and Vocal Choir meet in alternating two-month sessions from mid-September through early May. Rehearsals for both groups are on the 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 PM in the Goldenrod Room. Look for more information in the bulletin in the weeks to come.

Prairie Kids Choir (Age 4 – 4^th grade)

The Prairie Kids Choir is our youngest group of musicians and they provide us with a wide range of music (bells and singing) and have a lot of fun making music! The Prairie Kids Choir will be lead by Brenda and Katelyn Starkey and meets on Sundays from 10:05 to 10:25AM between services in the Goldenrod Room. The first rehearsal is September 24^th.

ADULT MUSIC OPPORTUNITIES

Chancel Choir

The Chancel Choir provides music on most Sundays from September through early June. We sing a wide range of musical styles from traditional church anthems to spirituals to contemporary and even a cappella works! The Chancel Choir library is continually growing, too, trying new and challenging music to help us grow both musically and spiritually. The first rehearsal is Wednesday, September 6^th from 7:15 to 8:45 PM in the Sanctuary. The Chancel Choir will provide music on Rally Day, September 10^th. The Chancel Choir is open to all adults and high school students.

Adult Handbell Choir

The Adult Handbell Choir continues to ring strong and clear! The Adult Bells play in worship approximately once every five to six weeks and for special services, for example during Advent and Lent. The Adult Handbell Choir also goes “on the road” annually, playing at the Fort Snelling Chapel on the Sunday after Easter. The Adult Handbell Choir rehearses on Thursdays from 7:00 to 8:00 PM in the Sanctuary and is open to all adults (and no previous ringing experience is required!). The first rehearsal is September 14^th.

If you have questions about the Music Program groups listed above, contact Don Prestly, Director of Music Ministries, via email (donp@prairiechurch.org), at the church (952-937-8781) or at (612) 201-4311.

Welcome, Welcome, Welcome!!!!!

It is with great joy that we officially welcome W. Zachary Taylor to Eden Prairie United Methodist Church as our new Organist/Accompanist.  Zachary (“Zach” is okay, too!) made the move to the Twin Cities from the Bay City, Michigan area in mid-August to further his education and attend the McNally School of Music in    St. Paul where he will be pursuing an advanced degree in music production. Zachary comes to us with many years of experience as a church organist, as well as music leader. He has been a liturgical organist since the age of 13 and played his first wedding that same year! His knowledge of sacred music and his understanding and love of the role of the church musician makes him a wonderful addition to EPUMC and the music programs. Please be sure to say “hi” and introduce yourself to Zach!

Don Prestly  -  Director of Music Ministries

Congratulations to:

• Kristie (Rowe) and Jeff Habermeier who were married on July 29^th.  

• Kiarra Riley Haber, daughter of Jennifer (Halmrest) Haber, baptized July 30^th.

• Kim and Bart Reed, who welcomed baby boy Ryan Warren Reed into the world on July 30^th.

We welcomed the following New Members on July 30^th:

Serra Dewey (Cole and Noah)                                                          952-937-5286

15025 Hillside Drive

Eden Prairie MN 55347

We are delighted to welcome back Serra who originally joined Prairie Church 6 years ago.  Serra has been a Methodist her entire life. Her father is a retired Methodist pastor and mother has been an organist and choir director.  Serra's upbringing took her throughout Iowa before attending Simpson College in Indianola, IA.  Serra currently works for Highland Banks in the Human Resource area and is pursuing a Master's degree (in Human Resources and Change Management) at St. Thomas University.  Serra has 2 sons - Cole who is 5 years old and Noah who is only 7 months old.  Hopefully, we will see Serra once again in the choir since singing is one of her passions.

Don and Shirley Henyan                                                                    952-995-1150

8505 Flying Cloud Drive, # 332

Eden Prairie MN 55344

Don and Shirley were both raised as Methodists, are both natives of Iowa, and both attended Coe College in Cedar Rapids, IA (Shirley's home town).  They met at college and have been married now for 56 years.  At that time, Don was a returning Air Force veteran having served in Germany after the end of WWII.  Shirley became a teacher and had the challenge of teaching 'all day' kindergarten.  Don's career was in the insurance industry where he reached the position of Executive VP of Northwestern National Life. 

Don and Shirley have 2 grown daughters, one in Roseville and the other in Nashville, TN.  Having previously resided in Edina, Don and Shirley recently moved back to the Minneapolis area after spending 18 years in Tucson, Arizona, in order to be close to their daughter who lives in Roseville. Their move back to Minnesota was precipitated by Don's struggle with cancer.  Don and Shirley were both golf enthusiasts, but now enjoy another lifelong interest - playing cards (particularly Bridge).

 Kent and Cari Maguire (Megan and Matthew)                                    952-903-5036

10730 Spoon Ridge

Eden Prairie MN 55347

Kent and Cari were members of Westminster Presbyterian Church in downtown Minneapolis.  Kent is also a PK (pastor's kid). His father is a Presbyterian minister who, among other duties, served as a Chaplain at Abbott Northwestern Hospital.  Both Kent and Cari are lifelong Minnesotans.  Kent was raised in Minneapolis and Cari grew up in the Chisago Lakes area.   For the last 6 years, Kent has been working here in Eden Prairie for Xiotech, as a Product Marketing Director. 

Cari’s religious upbringing was in the Catholic Church.  Cari has been a teacher of French and German, and also has taught English as a Second Language to both children and adults.  Cari now teaches at Hamline University instructing future foreign language teachers and serves as a supervisor of student teachers.  Cari also manages to find the time to serve as chair for Eden Prairie's Human Rights and Diversity Commission.

Kent and Cari have been married for 12 years and have been residents of Eden Prairie for the last 8 years.  They have two children. Megan is 9 years old (4^th grade) and enjoys dance, Girl Scouts and piano. Matthew is 6 years old (1^st grade), also plays the piano and will be attending the Spanish Immersion School in Eden Prairie.

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