Last week when I wrote about my one little word for 2026, I was teetering between sacred and simplicity, and someone wrote in the comments “sacred simplicity”. Of course!
Often the two walk hand in hand, sacred and simplicity.
On Sunday we said goodbye to our church choir director. Leon has been with us for more than 12 years. This past year he decided to get confirmed into the Episcopal church. I thought that meant he would stay; however, a chance to travel to California for 6 months changed his life trajectory. Sunday was his last Sunday as our director. I shed many tears between hymns and our anthem, trying to stay strong when it mattered.
After the closing hymn, our priest asked Leon to come down from the loft. She directed us to gather around him for a blessing, each placing a hand on him or on someone near him. It was a truly magical moment of grace, shared community, and love.
Reflections on the Teche 
I love this pic of your community circling Leon and sending him off with love and your blessings. What a gift to work with him for 12 years! A beautiful example of sacred and simplicity walking hand in hand, a simple offering of love in a sacred space.
I love the thought of “sacred simplicity.” I think I need to focus on this in my life right now. What a beautiful way to say goodbye to Leon. I could feel the love in that picture.
Margaret,
It’s hard to see a beloved church member, especially a minister or choir director, leave. Start planning your California visit.
Your words and image capture sacred simplicity perfectly. It is very hard to lose someone who makes each service special by their careful choices. Good luck in finding someone to fill those special shoes.
Your picture captures so much of your sacred simplicity and your community. Maybe Leon will be near Julieanne or other CA friends.
O my goodness… such a powerful circle of Love. Your post brought a memory & wet eyes of my favorite choir director who was my first – I always sang in her children’s choir -at Cherryville Church near Quakertown in the Delaware River watershed of rural N.J. Soft-voiced, always smiling Edna P. was an Angel, truly. Her heirloom cameo brooch always at her neck, her hands floating in soft direction of our tiny voices. I lost her when our family moved to a bigger area for a variety of reasons. Margaret I feel you will always glow inside when you think of his name or face or many gestures of direction at services.
Wishing his California dream is all that he needs it to be. Appreciations.
Oh my goodness. I can feel the power of all your love for Leon. What a wonderful way to honor and celebrate someone so dear.