The End of the Chapter

The Table Troubadours

Last Monday, November 2, marked the end of my seven and a half year tenure as the music leader for The Table. I loved the job and though I am saddened by the transition, I am grateful for many wonderful experiences with the parish, the staff, and my band “The Table Troubadours.” It was my friend Aynsley Martindale who introduced me to this innovative idea for a worship service at St. George’s Church. She was interviewed to be the first music leader and invited me to play for her audition. She was hired and I was one of her rotating band members from day one. In 2013 when she married and moved up North, Father Malone Gilliam hired me as her successor.

We enjoyed enormous creative freedom at The Table. We experimented with instrumentation and song selection. In addition to top CCLI songs and hymns, we pulled from “secular” sources such as Jackson Browne, Peter Gabriel, and Hank Williams. I was also able to utilize my own music for the services. The idea was to challenge preconceived notions of sacred and secular, how to worship God and that through Jesus, everything can be sacred. If we could be seen enjoying worship, the parishioners could enjoy worship; if we could have freedom in worship, they could too. If they could see me relax, perhaps they could relax. If they saw me not “have it all together,” perhaps they could better love themselves, warts and all. We had no road map as to how to marry contemporary worship expression with an ancient liturgy. We made it up as we went along. And it was glorious.

Although I grew up a preacher’s kid, had been a worship leader, and had worked in Christian publishing, this was my first exposure serving in an Episcopal Church (my first exposure to any liturgical church). I had a lot to learn regarding terminology (e.g. sacristy, parish, sextons) and practice (e.g. sign of the cross, lectionary). I’ve grown to appreciate the beauty of this tradition and am thankful for the exposure.

Some of my favorite memories include steel guitar, Chick Corea, and “Don’t Give Up” for Lent. I cherish Jim’s funeral, hugs in the communion line, Ms. Beth’s kisses, and holding Ms. Evonne’s hand. But perhaps I’m the proudest of the music videos the band made during the early days of the pandemic. If The Table is your regular place of worship, I’m so glad you found this post and I grieve not being able to say goodbye to you personally. You are welcome to contact me through this site. I love you. Thank you for loving me and I pray God’s best for you.