Having last week discussed the wonderful Bösendorfer piano, we turn now to pipe organs.

Let me again affirm that we are richly blessed to have great musical instruments here at the Walla Walla University Church. In many instances we owe the use of these instruments to Walla Walla University. The large University Church pipe organ, for instance, is owned and maintained in a partnership between the University and the Church. At 69 stops, 92 ranks, and 4,982 pipes our magnificent Casavant organ was, until 2000, well known as the largest organ west of Salt Lake City and north of San Francisco. We rejoice to have this great instrument here in the desert of Eastern Washington. But bigger isn’t necessarily better. Today we consider a different pipe organ — a very small one; the most recent pipe organ obtained by WWU, purchased just this summer.

I am happy to introduce our new continuo organ, Opus 24b, built by John Brombaugh of Eugene, Oregon in 1980. This wonderful organ comprises 3 stops, 3 ranks, and 153 pipes. This type of organ is designed for chamber music and is often called a Positive (from Latin ponere, “to place”), because it is more or less mobile and can be placed in the midst of an orchestra. It is often called a Continuo because it is designed for use as a continuo instrument. Baroque musicians routinely composed using figured bass — a short-hand in which they notated melody and bass lines but used only numbers to indicate the harmonies, the notes between melody and bass. These numbers require "realization" (improvisation) into sounding notes by a musician playing a chordal instrument such as a harpsichord or organ. Whereas our huge Casavant organ can never feel or sound intimate within a small group of chamber musicians, our new Brombaugh is made to order for this purpose.

As it happens, we have heard Brombaugh’s Opus 24b many times here in the University Church as a rental instrument. The fascinating story of how we came to purchase it will have to wait for more room at another time.

-Kraig Scott

TOUCHES OF INTEREST

The Longest Table sign-ups continue on Sabbath, September 9 restarting at 10:30am. Sign ups will continue each week until Sabbath, September 23.  You can also sign up by calling the church office at 527-2800.  Thank you for welcoming the WWU students at this event on Sabbath, September 30, following Second Service.

Our regular service schedule will resume with two services on Sabbath, September 16, with First Serve beginning at 9:30, Sabbath School at 10:30, and Second Service at 11:45.

We will be welcoming Walla Walla University freshman and new incoming students on Friday, September 15 and Sunday, September 17at the residence halls with cookies. If you enjoy baking and would like to be a part of this special welcome please drop off cookies at Foreman or Sittner Hall anytime. For questions contact Renée Unterseher at (509) 527-2772 or renee@wallawalla.edu.

We-Haul is coming! Help new WWU students move into residence halls. Friday, September 15, 1–4pm, Sunday, September 17, 9–11am, and Sunday, September 24, 2–5pm. To help, simply show up at Sittner or Foreman Halls. 

As part of Adventist Community Services, SonBridge is working to help meet the needs of those affected by Hurricane Harvey.  Call 529-3100 or visit SonBridge.org for ways to help Texas.

The Christian Aid Center needs you! This important ministry partner of the University Church is always in need of volunteer help. In particular, the director of volunteers at CAC (and our church member), Jeannette Regalado, is requesting for help with chapel speakers (6:30pm daily), breakfast cooks (Sunday and Monday mornings), and van drivers to pick up donated food (Tuesday and Thursday mornings). Contact Jeannette at 509.525.7153.

Milton-Stateline Adventist School is enrolling now. We still have places open in all our classrooms. We have financial aid available. We offer free bus service to Walla Walla and College Place. After the first day of school, August 21st, a student, preschool to 8th grade, who would like to check us out can visit free for a day. Call 541-938-7131 email info@miltonstateline.org

Milton-Stateline Adventist School is looking for retired teachers who would be willing to sub at our school on occasion. We have need of more subs on our sub list. For more information call Barb at 541-938-7131.

Volunteers NeededPeople willing to give a few hours, 1 or two days a week volunteering at The Community Center located on 8th and Bade, College Place. The Center is open, Sundays and Mondays, 9-12:30. Come be a blessing.

Buying school supplies?  Don’t forget hygiene supplies!   Having clean clothes and refreshed body is a great way to start the new school year.  Your donation of body wash, shampoo, deodorant, razors and shaving cream help to refresh the body. Laundry pods and dryer sheets help to make sure clothes are looking great; small things like nail clippers, body lotion and hand soap keep everyone looking good.  Bring buy your tax deductible donations to HELPLINE at 1520 Kelly Place, St 180, Walla Walla, WA, Mon – Fri 9:00-11:45am or 1:00-3:45pm. A receipt can be given upon request.

2017 AMEN Conference:  Are You Willing?: Are you a physician or dentist willing to serve God through medical ministry?  Then the AMEN conference is for you!  Join us Thursday October 26 – Sunday October 29, 2017 in Hilton Head Island, SC.  During the 2017 AMEN Conference, each speaker will explore how you can have a vibrant, growing Christian experience yourself and, out of the context of your own experience, share God’s love with your patients.  The essence of Jesus’ life was a willingness to do the Father’s Will and the goal of this year’s conference is to inspire each one of us to do the same.  Featured Speakers include:  Pastors Dwayne Lemon and Mark Finley; Physicians Ricardo Whyte, Debbie Beihl, Stephen Waterbrook, & Norman McNulty; Dentists Stephen Wright, Carlos Moretta, and many others.   All physicians, dentists, healthcare professionals, and pastors are welcome to attend.  Jesus is coming soon - let's prepare ourselves, our patients, and our colleagues!  For more information please visit www.amensda.org or call 530-883-8061.

The UCC Women’s Fall Retreat, Always, October 27 and 28, welcomes special guest, Janet Page, General Conference Associate Ministerial Secretary. Registration is available at UCC Women’s Ministries web page. https://www.uccsda.org/English/Women/Pages/Womens-Ministries.aspx.