From Karen Thomas, Director of Music:
It is with sadness that I share the news that our beloved All Voices Choir (AVC) director, Jacob Finkle, is resigning from his position this summer. His letter (below) provides more information about his increasing responsibilities elsewhere. Jacob has done amazing work with the AVC for the past 12 years, helping to build a wonderful community of singers of all ages. He shepherded the choir through our time at Meadowbrook and during Covid, keeping the morale high during those challenging times. He's been an important member of the Music Program staff, and a constant joy to work with.
Thank you for all your care and hard work, Jacob—you will be deeply missed!
We will begin the search for a new AVC director this summer. Stay tuned for more information on that front.
From Jacob Finkle, All Voices Choir Director:
Dear University Unitarian Church Community,
I am very sad to let you know that I have decided to resign my position with UUC. This has been a really difficult decision for me, but I truly feel it is the right one for me and for my family.
This past year has been really difficult for me and my wife Nicole. Between the two of us, we have for years had two full time teaching jobs, two part time choir conducting jobs, and regular concert band performances. Things have always been busy for us, and they increased so two years ago when I started a doctoral program and internship in education leadership. This year, we welcomed our son Avi into our family which has been truly joyous. However, he brought with him much more scheduling complexity. Figuring out how we can meet all of our obligations while consistently having someone available to watch Avi and give him the attention he deserves has been nearly impossible. I did not truly believe the situation was sustainable, but I did not want to make a change because I love everything that I do.
I have been working towards the goal of becoming an assistant principal, and right at the end of our school year, Everett Public Schools offered me a position that I accepted. This will represent another increase in my time commitments, and I need to balance it somewhere. Unfortunately, I have needed to make this really painful decision. I have had too many balls in the air at once, and I have run out of hands. I need to put my family first.
I am really sad to make this decision even as I believe it to be the right one. I love the All Voices Choir, and I love UUC. This church has been a major moral anchor in my life for the past twelve years, and I am not looking forward to losing it. I am additionally sad that the timing of Everett’s decision making means I have to say goodbye this way instead of in person. That is not the way I would have chosen.
I believe strongly in the vision of UUC. I am so excited to see what you accomplish in the future. The work that you have done, that you do, and that I know you will continue to do, matters.
With much affection,
~Jacob Finkle
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