Today was the choir's first Sunday back. I walk in and am immediately confronted by the staff relations chairman "I need to talk to you". Okay. Someone complained because of a comment I made during Wednesday's rehearsal about a serious problem we had last week with the slides. Half the people don't want them, the other half do. That setup was in place long before I was there and I'm not about to start a battle over it. But, if we must have them, they need to be done right. The secretary was put in charge of them, but she isn't a musician. This happens a lot, it's not her fault, nor did I say it was. Many choir members were upset by the mistakes last week and so was I-and I told them even though it's not really a task I want to take on that I would prepare the slides if there were continued problems or the secretary was overwhelmed by it. The secretary is a lovely woman and I have absolutely nothing against her. Nitpicker twisted what I said and went running to tattle to the pastor and staff relations chair, saying that I was saying derogatory things about the secretary. Uh, where did you get that idea?

Pick about how I look, fine whatever. Make up blatant LIES? That's crossing the line from nitpicking to intimidation and abuse.

So, now I know that this person is someone in choir.

I don't take this stuff lightly. I don't take anything lightly, I'm not by any stretch of the imagination a "chill" sort of person, but you all already know that. I tolerate a lot-too much, actually, but lying is NOT on my list of things to tolerate. Ever.

Furthermore, I really felt it was unnecessary to have this thrown in my face before the service this morning-a decision made no doubt by the pastor, who had little to say to me. He's great at making others do his dirty work because he's a coward and avoids conflict. The staff relations chair is a very kind person and had the unfortunate duty of telling me all this today. There's still people who miss the old choir director even though most people were glad to see her go, and because I can never be her I guess I'm just a punching bag for whatever their problem of the day is (a suggestion made by staff relations chair for the almost instantaneous bad treatment I am getting). Bearing that in mind, both director and pianist resigned on bad terms-primarily because they were also sick of the same abuses now being thrown at me. It's so senseless that a few unhappy people are allowed to continue infecting what is mostly a good church and a wonderful music ministry. I am hoping that a resolution can be reached. I have an admin meeting at the end of the month and I think I need to address this before it gets worse. I am an abuse survivor and I know all the tricks and tactics these kinds of people use. They can't fool me, and they won't succeed with me. This group is great and I refuse to allow one cold hearted person to ruin everything.