When I tell people outside of Foothills about what happened in 2024 with our music ministry, most people are surprised, and also confused. Which I understand! It is surprising, and confusing, that after our prior music director Benjamin Hanson resigned last May, and then attempting a national search that didn’t result in a match, we actually ended up hiring a music director who for much of the year lives off site. So then, I try to explain how it unfolded….
How Sophia Miller came to spend the summer in Fort Collins, and basically, the match between us was just too magical to walk away from. How even from a distance she is more “here” with us in the work, and the relationships, and the mission, than I could have ever imagined would be possible.
I try to explain – but it’s really not easy. All I know is that it’s sort of like when I told a small group of music leaders about the plan as it was starting to get clear – I was nervous about what they would think, and they all immediately said, well, maybe it would be confusing if you didn’t know Sophia. But if you know Sophia, you’d know immediately why it would work.
So that is what we realized we wanted to do more of. We want to help you get to know Sophia, with the hopes that you can more fully understand how her commitment to our community and our mission, that she would say yes to this job, and be so brilliant at being so present – even though she’s only technically on site for about 7 days a month. (Although she will be here for 10 weeks this summer!) We hope you’ll take time to listen to the whole conversation – the end has some of the best parts!
The story of our music ministry over the last year is surprising, but it really isn’t confusing. It’s just one of those things that happens sometimes – when all your plans don’t work out – but then in place of all those things you had in mind, you are offered instead a mini-miracle and your only job is to say thank you. For this partnership, for music, for this church, and for the ministry that we get to do together.
We also want to take this opportunity to invite you to come and sing on Wednesdays with our Foothills Adult Choir. We have a special newcomer rehearsal next Wednesday February 19th at 6:30. Both Sophia and our choir director, Benjamin will be there. All are welcome.
When so many other parts of the world are unstable, singing together can be a vital anchor of connection, community, and possibility. Learn more and sign up for choir here.
Rev. Gretchen Haley has an audacious ambition for the liberal church, believing in its capacity to transform lives and our world by way of hyper-local relationships and partnerships that inspire the unleashing of courageous love. She oversees worship, community resourcing and outreach, and the intersectional work of our justice teams. She also serves as chief of staff, and ministry lead to the Board. In all of these, she is inspired by the commitment of the countless people who show up to do the sometimes-messy work of the church, and who are leading us to live into our mission for Northern Colorado as it is growing and changing. Her ministry is infused with her relentless curiosity about most things, especially the big stuff of theology, the beauty of creation, the magic of collaboration, and the joy of pop culture. She’s all in on adrienne maree brown’s emergent strategy, and finds solace in the trails in and around Fort Collins. She moved to Colorado from Washington state over 20 years ago for grad school in theatre, and knew immediately that she would never leave. She and her amazing partner, Carri, have 2 teenagers, Gracie and Josef, who both relish and resent being PKs, and who keep her grounded, frustrated, inspired, and humbled, everyday. She is basically obsessed with her two dogs, both large mutts, Charlie and Archer.
Responsible for: Worship, Community Resourcing and Outreach, Justice Ministries, and Congregational Leadership