The search committee has identified a candidate to be our next Minister of Music, and we have set aside March 23-24 as the weekend when she will come in view of a call. Please mark your calendars and plan to participate in the following:

· Wednesday, March 20: The Candidate leads Sanctuary Choir rehearsal during their regularly scheduled time.

· Saturday, March 23: Drop-in Reception for the Candidate and Family, 2-4 p.m. in the Cheatham Room

· Sunday, March 24: The Candidate is introduced and voted on in all three worship services. She will provide worship leadership in Chapel and Celebration.

Erin Clarke

The Minister of Music Search Committee heartily recommends that Erin Clarke be called to serve as First Baptist Griffin’s next Minister of Music. An Augusta native, Erin grew up at First Baptist Augusta and witnessed the ministries of both of her parents through the years. Erin earned a Bachelor of Music Education (2004) and a Master of Music in Choral Conducting (2011) from Mercer University. She continues to serve the Mercer community through Townsend School of Music Alumni Board and the Tift College Alumni Association.

Professionally, Erin has ministered both as a middle school choral director at Upson-Lee Middle School and as a three-time Interim Minister of Music with First Baptist Thomaston, the faith family the Clarkes currently call home. She describes her love of music ministry by writing of the space music opens for creativity and multi-generational worship: “I believe our worship should be inspired, fresh, and function as a creative and heartfelt offering to God. I also believe that when we involve multiple age groups in leading worship, it is a beautiful picture of the church as a true family of believers.”

The Search Committee is grateful for your feedback and faithful prayers during this season.

Erin, Chip, and children Briggs, Bauer, and Quinn

Janet Prothro (Chair), James Allen, Brad Glass, Sally Hartman, Ellee Hilley, Kenneth Moore, Karen Sutton, Nic Bland (Ex-Officio), Steve Brown (Ex-Officio), Bill Hardee (Ex-Officio), and Sarah Murray (Staff Liaison)

From those who can testify to Erin’s gifts for ministry:

“Erin Clarke was a joy to be with during our search committee process. A true call to ministry is in her heart and this showed in every answer to every question that our committee threw her way. First Baptist Griffin will be truly blessed to have this young lady and her family journey with us for years to come.” Brad Glass

“Erin has a true heart for loving and serving people that is a true example of what it means to live the Gospel message.” The Rev. Martha Kate Hall, Associate Coordinator, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Georgia

“As we were getting to know Erin during the interview process, it became very evident that she is not afraid to express her deep love of God. Her answers to our questions were insightful beyond her years and clearly reflected that she was one whom God has called to serve our congregation.” Sally Hartman

“Erin’s quick sense of humor and her desire to create the best offering to God is a unique combination that allows those under her leadership to experience fun and inspiration simultaneously. I believe that Erin possesses a good understanding of the role of music in worship and would work as a ‘team player.’ She is tremendously organized and is a self-starter. As such, she would be an asset not only to the entire church program in general, but also to the church music and worship area, specifically.” C. David Keith, DMA, Professor of Conducting and Dean, Townsend School of Music, Mercer University

“In sharing her journey with us, Erin said that she had deeply felt a call to be a minister of God’s love and that she would serve using her musical gifts and talents. She is a very passionate, visionary young woman; her warmth and grace are infectious and our congregation will be richly blessed through this relationship with Erin and her precious family.” Janet Prothro

“Congratulations to Erin and FBC Griffin! Erin has a heart for people and music is the vehicle for her ministry. You will all be blessed together.” Dr. Stanley Roberts, Arthur Lowndes Rich Professor of Choral Conducting and Associate Dean. Townsend School of Music, Mercer University