St. Luke's Bids Goodbye to Musician Martha Stretton

St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Chester has been privileged and honored to have Martha Stretton as its Church Musician and Choir Director for nearly seven years, two of those years as co-musician with Joseph Grannis who retired in 2008.

In addition to making beautiful music on the restored Hamill organ and leading the choir through Sunday services, Martha has served as head of the St. Luke's Vestry and as a youth group leader. The Choral Evensong and Ascension Day Shrimp Boil, and Passover Seder were offered under her musical leadership, and she occasionally brought in outside musicians to enrich the services. An extremely gifted musician, Martha has made music a deeper and more meaningful part of worship at St. Luke's Church.

During the years Martha has been the Music Director at St. Luke's, this Yale educated psychologist has had an active practice in Chester and served as the musical accompanist of the Springfield Community Chorus.

Martha has accepted a wonderful, shared position as Assistant Director of Music at the First Congregational Church of Springfield but will remain a member at St. Luke's. It is with great sadness, but also great joy for her, that St. Luke's will honor Martha at a special event on Sunday, July twenty-first.

Details will appear on the church website www.stlukesepiscopalvt.org where interested musicians can also see what is needed to continue Martha Stretton's legacy.

Photo Credit: Pam Nelligan