f you've been looking for a special invite to come back to Church, this is it! Join us for Rally Day 2025 at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Downtown Beaumont. FACEBOOK EVENT | Let us know you're coming! Worship in the beauty of holiness at 8:00 or 10:30 a.m. Formation for all ages resumes at 9:15 a.m. Stay for the Blessings of the Backpacks for students, teachers, and educational staff! At 11:45 a.m., immediately after worship, we'll take our parish photo. A delicious lunch will follow. We'll also welcome back Father James from sabbatical, and celebrate the arrival of our new curate, Christopher Hilton.

The project is on budget and on time. Estimated completion and return to Beaumont will be in late 2025 or early 2026.  Earlier this summer, I traveled to Pennsylvania to see the progress on our organ restoration project. From the moment I arrived at Steve Emery’s workshop, situated in the bucolic hills north of Philadelphia, I was in awe. Everywhere I turned, there were pieces – pipes – components – of our beloved Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ. Steve and his team are carefully and comprehensively refurbishing our historic instrument. They’re receiving guidance from our fine organ consultant, Jonathan Ambrosino. During our recent visit, Jonathan and I were both impressed with the quality of the craftsmanship and the Emery team’s dedication to historic preservation. Here are three takeaways: The project is on budget and on time. Estimated completion and return to Beaumont will be in late 2025 or early 2026. The organ reeds (think trumpet-sounding pipes) and blower are finished. Much of the leatherwork continues. There are pieces of leather in the chests (where the pipes sit) and on the stoppers of wooden pipes.  Each of the organ’s 2,830 pipes has been cleaned and repaired where necessary. The pipes were then placed on a voicing machine to be regulated. The goal is for each rank of pipes to sound similar in tone and volume. Additional voicing work will happen at St. Mark’s once the organ returns. We are only making adjustments to regulate the pipework. Because our instrument is so historic, we are being careful not to make any unnecessary changes.  The project also includes upgrades to the console (where I sit to play) as well as the wiring and control mechanisms. All cotton-covered wiring will be replaced with plastic-insulated wire in keeping with National Electrical Code regulations. The console is being reworked to accommodate the new wiring and electric control system. This includes new “stop” knobs and couplers. Our original keyboards have been retained and restored. Components — including chests and wind lines — will be delivered first this fall. The team will return later with the pipes. Then will come the massive effort to put everything back together. The aforementioned pipe “voicing” work will follow in the church.  The restoration will cost approximately $600,000. We are grateful to the St. Mark’s Foundation, our parishioners, community members, and SETX foundations who have graciously supported our preservation efforts. We are still fundraising to close the remaining $41,121 needed to fully fund this project. Donations may be made online by selecting “Organ Fund,” or by check, noting “Organ Fund” in the memo line. Designated gifts may be made to the parish office via check or “On Realm” by selecting “Organ Fund.” The project is entering its final phase, and we cannot wait to welcome the instrument back to Beaumont in late 2025 or early 2026. Jordan Williams Organist-Choirmaster Button Button Button Button Button Button Button Button