Sharing Our Stories: Robert McCormick

This month’s story comes from Robert McCormick at Church of the Good Shepherd, Rosemont (outside of Philadelphia). Robert is a leader in our profession, having run successful chorister programs at other parishes. Good Shepherd is a unique situation. Fifteen years ago, the parish was nearly decimated after a schismatic group tried to break from the Episcopal church and hold onto the parish property and assets. Depleting the parish’s endowment on lawsuits, they were eventually forced to return the property to the diocese. I served as organist-choirmaster for a little over three years in the aftermath of this, when there were more people in the chancel than in the nave, so I rejoice in the success and growth of this rebirth under the leadership of Robert and Fr. Kyle Babin.

“This week we began rehearsals for the Good Shepherd Choristers, a choir for children ages 7 and above. We have 14 children already registered and room for more!

As in many similar Episcopal churches, the choir of men and boys folded at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Rosemont sometime around the early 1990s. Therefore children are singing here and rehearsing in our choir room for the first time in over 30 years.

This is in a parish that five years ago had only 1 child among its ranks. Even over the pandemic, attendance (and giving) steadily has(/have) grown, with adults of all ages and families with children. I rejoice at this resurrection and sign of health. God makes it happen, but we have to play our part, doing our own hard work.”