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 Clarence McCoy,
Director of Worship Arts
Clarence M. McCoy has been serving First
United Methodist Church as Music Director, then later as
Director of Worship Arts since August, 1997. Clarence
currently provides leadership and coordination for all music,
worship, and worship arts programs and serves as one of
the members of the worship planning team.
Clarence is a Fairfield County native who graduated from
Amanda-Clearcreek High School in 1986. After studies at
the University of Toledo and Ohio University in music
education and trumpet performance, he received a Bachelor
of Music Education degree. Clarence's experience includes
public school instrumental music instruction in the North
Baltimore and Northern Local school systems, performing
with the Toledo Symphony Orchestra and the Lancaster
Chorale, music retail sales and management, formerly
directing the Celebration Singers of Lancaster and the
Lancaster-Fairfield Youth Choir, and church music
positions at four other churches before coming to FUMC.
 Virginia Rosberg, Organist
Virginia Rosberg has been organist here at First Church
since July, 1986. Prior to her appointment here she had
spent nearly 20 years in similar positions in Lutheran
churches. Virginia has a Bachelor of Music degree from
the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, University
of Cincinnati. Virginia feels fortunate (even spoiled)
to play the Schantz pipe organ here. It has about 28
ranks of pipes with three manuals and was built in
1971. In addition to providing organ music for the two
traditional Sunday morning worship services and other
special seasonal services, Virginia practices weekly
with the two adult vocal choirs and with the handbell
choirs as needed. She meets weekly with other staff
members as part of the worship planning team. Virginia
plays for almost all the weddings here at the church,
both in the sanctuary and the Chapel, and frequently
counsels brides (and sometimes grooms) concerning music
for their wedding. Occasionally, funerals are held at
the church, for which she also plays. Cantatas and
oratorios are also presented here, as well as dramas
such as The Boar's Head Festival. Because First Church
is a large, centrally-located church, community events
involving music are often focused here. The church has
hosted events for Lancaster Festival, Lancaster Heritage
Candlelight Tour, Lancaster Community Concerts, plus
numerous concert groups.
In
addition to her music duties Virginia also coordinates
the Worship Arts Ministry. This ministry "promotes an
appreciation and education of the beauty of God found
within the arts." Many artists within the congregation
have displayed their work throughout the church as well
as participating in community art shows. Virginia also
works closely with John Coen and Creative Ministries to
plan and decorate the sanctuary for special themes
during the church year.
Four afternoons a week you can find Virginia at the
receptionist desk answering the phone. This provides
her with an opportunity to do some planning for this
active music ministry. Children's Choir Director |
