First English Lutheran Church

204 NW 2nd Street

Faribault, MN 55021

(507)334-4389 e-mail: felc@deskmedia.com

September 22, 1998

James Hockin, organist

The Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church

13505 Excelsior Blvd.

Minnetonka, MN 55345

Dear Mr. Hockin,

The organ committee of First English Lutheran church of Faribault extends our sincere thanks to you for your church's hospitality in providing the time for our committee to listen to your great Rodgers organ on two different occasions. We were very pleasantly surprised by the quality of sound and the versatility that this instrument can bring to the worship experience. We were especially impressed by your enthusiasm, patience and willingness to completely demonstrate the instrument for our committee - twice!

We realize that the average parishioner has a certain mindset when they hear the words ‘electronic organ'. It was for that reason that our committee had attempted to schedule two field trips to your church in September, so that interested members in our congregation could hear for themselves what a great pipe sound your instrument has. We provided ample publicity for several weeks and had only 4 people sign up. We sent a special letter to our senior choir and to our church council urging them to attend one of the field trips. Their stock answer was, "You folks are the committee. We trust your judgment. We don't need to hear the organ!" We are only hoping that this represents a tremendous vote of confidence. We did provide maps and directions and encouraged members to attend one of your Sunday services on their own.

We have scheduled a congregational meeting for the 1st Sunday in November for the purpose of voting on the recommendation of our committee that we purchase the Rodgers 960 digital pipeless organ. Rodgers is temporarily installing a model 960 in our sanctuary for a demonstration for that day. Our organist will be playing during our three services and Rodney Barbour will be playing between services and at the beginning of the congregational meeting to demonstrate the full capabilities and versatility of the instrument. Our committee is stressing to our congregation that this instrument will provide excellent musical support for our worship at a price that reflects responsible Christian stewardship of our financial resources.

Again, many thanks for your hospitality and willingness to provide additional time for us if we had gone through with the scheduled field trips.

Yours in Christ,

(name withheld), Secretary

First English Lutheran Church organ committee