Michelle,

I think it is more accurate to say that you offered to return the material awhile back because you had a busy time coming up with your student teaching, and that you were told then that although some band changes were taking place as a result of FG's taking over while I took a break, we welcomed your participation any time you could join in.

You were told then about the offertories, eventually offered one one weekend, and then canceled the offer about 24 hours later because you and your fiddle were not getting along. No one complained when this occurred, although it did mean some last-minute scrambling for the person who had originally been scheduled for that week's offertory.

You recently had an opportunity to the extent and nature of the changes that had been in the works, and offered a fresh start to contemplate if and when you resumed playing your fiddle. All this verbiage has ensued now that you know what will be expected if you should find you wish to return.

Of course we hope you will return, and as the policy states we want existing members to move toward the new approach-- not that people who can't meet the desired commitment are being asked to leave. No one has asked you to leave-- quite the opposite, I have been proactive in making every effort I can think of to find a way you can keep some involvement that works for you. As a matter of fact, I've reviewed the last severeal years' emails about this matter, and I see a longstanding cycle where idea after idea has been shot down.

So it has become clear to me that for whatever reason, this isn't working for you at this time. If that is not the case-- the remedy is simple. Just let us know when to expect you to return to involvement, plan on having some rehearsal time before you are on the spot to "perform," work on some simple, melodic communion music of your choosing from whatever source you wish to use, and THEN see if it works for you. I'll even be happy to give you a copy of some of the source songs we're working from, and arrangements for the new material whether you're playing with us or not, if that would be helpful in thinking about how the fiddle might be useful as a side part if you want to work on those skills.

As I have said now several times-- and I think clearly and patiently-- the approach is not intended to exclude anyone, but simply a structure to provide a way people can participate to the extent of their abilities.

~Susan